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In the spirit of soccer
Do you have travel insurance?
The world has arrived and more will be on their way come 2010. That’s right the all important 2010 FIFA World Cup™ and the current 2009 Confederations Cup will bring a huge amount of tourist to South Africa from all over the World. The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ is a turning point in African history because South Africa will host the first World Cup to be held on home soil but more importantly it is the first time that the event will be held on the continent of Africa. As today the 14 June 2009 commenced the opening of the 2009 Confederations Cup to so much excitement that South Africa is a buzz with the sound of soccer in the air. However, there is the undeniable hesitation in the air...Tourists are clutching onto their travel insurance papers. Do we blame them?
My friend Andrew arrived from the USA last week just in time to make the 2009 Confederations Cup. Andrew is a huge soccer fan and came specifically for Confederations Cup. We got to chatting about the usual, the flight etc. But the thing that got me was a story he was relating from an old couple he was sitting with on the flight. Funnily enough they sang South Africa’s praises and then pulled out a piece of paper. Travel Insurance.
Andrew couldn’t believe that this couple carried their confirmation of travel insurance in their shirt pockets. They explained that the last time they visited South Africa the man, got terribly ill. It all happened on the plane, when as he was filling down the corridor to exit the plan he suddenly fell horribly out of breathe. Most unusual considering that he was a really active person. By the time they got to their hotel. The man was going into cardiac arrest. A situation that could not be helped, he ended up being in hospital for the entire trip and the entire trip cost them most of their pension. However, this time they were prepared.
Andrew was also advised by his travel agent that even though he probably wouldn’t need it he should get travel insurance in the event of an emergency like his wallet being stolen. Pick pockets aren’t unique to South Africa but being in the hordes of people attending the games that he would be watching at the Confederation Cup, could make Andrew and easy target. However his lost money could be easily replaced provided that he had the correct sort of travel insurance.
At the end of the drive, I realised that getting travel insurance for such huge events like the 2010 FIFA World Cup and Confederations Cup or just in general is often so overlooked but an essential part to any trip. Now if only I could get travel insurance for a match...
*Don’t forget your travel and always check your policy details to see what you are covered for. | 
