For all travellers from Kenya travelling to the Schengen region, a travel insurance cover is required as part of the application process. The Schengen region is a product of the free movement brought about by the creation of the European Union and launch of the Euro in 2000. As a result, members of the European Union can move and work in member states without requiring special permits or documentation. The Schengen is a subset of the European Union member countries meaning not all European countries are members of the Schengen region. With the pending exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union (BREXIT) many sceptics are questioning the future of the bloc.
Some of the notable countries not in the Schengen region include
United Kingdom
Turkey
Ukraine
Croatia
Cyprus
Romania
Why Travel Insurance?
The Schengen region requires all travellers from non-Schengen countries to have approved travel insurance with a minimum liability of 30,000 Euros for emergency medical expenses. This is to cater for any emergencies like accidents or sudden illness while in the Schengen region. Therefore, the traveller does not encroach on the host state’s medical services in this event. One of the main problems that European countries have been facing in the last 20 years is free medical tourism. This is where travellers from lower income countries mainly Asia and Africa visit European nations and seek medical attention, which is state funded and therefore free of charge. A good example of this is the National Health Service (NHS) in England, which has suffered under the strain of health tourists.
How Does It Work?
The travel insurance policy purchased in Kenya is sold by a local insurance company in the market and distributed through travel agencies, insurance brokers and agents, online portals like www.pesabazaar.com and more. The local insurance company offers this policy on behalf of an international insurance company or global assistance/rescue company like AIG, Mapfre, Linkham, Assistencia, etc. In case of emergency assistance while travelling abroad, customers can contact these international companies from the contact details noted on the travel insurance policy document.
Compare 10 SCHENGEN insurance quotes online!
List of approved insurance companies in Kenya
As of 21st November 2018, these are the companies that are pre – approved to offer travel insurance for the Schengen region.
If you are looking for a travel insurance quote for the Schengen visa applicaiotn, you can compare up to 10 different companies online by visiting www.pesabazaar.com . Compare benefits, limits and excesses, you could save up to 30% off your cover. Prices start from KSh 2,100!
When getting a travel insurance cover, compare and compare to get a great deal!
With the ever-increasing number of business and leisure travellers visiting Europe, Asia and America, travel insurance is becoming more and more popular. While many customers purchase this cover as a requirement for the different visa application processes, others are increasingly becoming aware of the value of being insured. In fact, according to the http://www.businessdailyafrica.com, there were close to 39,000 Kenyans who applied for visas to the Schengen region in 2018, an all time high figure! Buying a travel insurance policy allows the customer to enjoy their holidays in peace and tranquillity knowing everything will be ok in case of an emergency. So, when shopping for a travel insurance cover, here are some tips to help you get a saving!
Geographical Location Covered
When choosing a travel insurance policy, you can save on
cost by taking a region specific cover. In Kenya, overseas travel insurances are
priced depending on the region that the customer is traveller to. The most
affordable covers are for Africa and Asia. North America (USA and Canada) are
the most expensive regions and travel insurance policies covering those 2
countries tend to cost more. Also, for travellers going to Europe, it is
important to distinguish between Schengen and Europe. The Schengen covers
normally have slightly lower limits and don’t cover the entire European
continent therefore they are noticeably cheaper!
Note: When taking a world wide travel insurance cover, make sure to check that it includes USA and Canada. This is because many world wide travel insurances exclude these two countries, the customer has to pay more premiums if they want to include them.
Limits of Liability
This is one of the often-ignored terms when customers are
seeking for a cheap travel insurance cover. The main limit of liability on overseas
travel insurance policies is the emergency medical expenses cover. This may
range from as low as USD 10,000 to as much as USD 1 Million. Due to the risk of
travellers falling gravely ill or having an accident during their travels, the
costs arising from this can be un bearable. For example, a traveller suffering
a leg fracture while in the USA can face hospital bills of up to USD 50,000!
This is an amount of money that can possibly bankrupt an individual. It is important
therefore that when selecting a travel insurance policy, choose one with decent
limits advisably at least USD 100,000.
Note: The Schengen visa application requires applicants to have a travel insurance policy with emergency medical expenses of at least EUR 30,000. For a detailed comparison of the cheapest Schengen travel insurance plans, check out this blog post
Annual Travel Insurance Plan
Could an annual travel insurance plan be the right one for
you? For frequent travellers, having to buy a travel insurance cover each time
you are travelling can be time consuming and also costly. There exists in the
market providers with open annual covers that allow a customer to use the
policy on demand. The only limitation on these covers is that any one trip can
not be more than 90 days unless express permission is sought from the insurance
company.
Duration of Travel
Also check on the number of days that you are travelling before you purchase the cover. Travel insurance policies in Kenya are normally priced in bands, for example 1- 8 days, 9-14 days, etc. This means that any number of days falling within a particular band will be charged the same premiums. Check to make sure that you don’t exceed a given band so that you are not charged extra for no real need.
Policy Excesses
It is also important to check on the excess on the different
terms on the policy. The main terms with excesses on them are the emergency
medical expenses which normally has an excess of USD 50 for outpatient visits.
The travel terms like loss of checked baggage, flight delay and cancellation
also have excesses. These may be time or monetary excesses depending on the
cover. For example, some travel insurance policies state that for flight
delays, the time excess is the first 6 hours, before this the customer cannot
claim for re-reimbursements on the policy
Insurance Premiums Rates
Last but not least is the total premiums paid by the
customer. Check out different insurance companies, benefits and packages to
make sure you are getting a good deal. Prices can vary by as much as 30% for
packages with similar benefits depending on the provider chosen. Therefore,
it’s important to compare, compare!
Compare Travel Insurance Covers Online
So, how do you go about easily and quickly getting a good
deal on your travel insurance? Many consumers are now using online comparison
websites like www.pesabazaar.com to
compare up to 10 quotes from different providers instantly. You could save up
to 30% simply by comparing benefits, region covered and policy excesses.
In our series on top tourist destinations around the world, we explore Europe and give some of the most notable sights to visit on the continent
Around 1.8 million years, the first
humans from Africa arrived in the continent of Europe and by 16,000 BCE, human
civilizations were already flourishing in most of Europe. The continent since
then has undergone many transformations; e.g rise and fall of the Roman Empire,
the renaissance period, and even both World Wars; all of which have left a
history in the European culture, architecture, cuisine and even fashion. It is
these history and culture that developed and are still prospering in Europe
that most travellers would like to explore and learn more of.
Given its vast size, the continent has
innumerable and bedazzling travel destinations. Below is a sneak preview of
some of the popular destinations.
ITALY
Italy is a must stop destination for travellers to Europe. It has set its mark as a destination point for shoppers, business persons and those travelling for the sheer pleasure of having a good time, as the fashion, cuisine and culture are all extraordinary experiences.
St.
Peter’s Square is one of the largest, most beautiful and breathtaking squares
in the world. Located in the Vatican City in Rome, the square
was designed by Bernini in the seventeenth century and houses over 300,000
people. The Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, and St. Peter’s Basilica are also
places one must visit while in Rome.
Venice, also known as the sinking city
of canals, offers travellers the extraordinary sight of palaces perched
atop underwater poles. Travellers can marvel at the sight as they take Gondola
rides along the canals.
Equally, one can have a view of the city and the Grand Canal from the Ponte di
Rialto Bridge.
Other activities a traveller can engage in in Italy include taking a boat ride on Lake Como, wine tasting in the vineyards of Tuscany, visiting the leaning tower of Pisa in Pisa, the Statue of David and Renaissance treasures in Florence and the Islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello.
Outdoor
activities include skiing the Italian alps, hiking the Cinque Terre and
trekking through Sardinia. One may also attend opera in Verona’s Roman arena,
learn how to make homemade pasta in Bologna, see the preserved ancient city of
Pompeii or for fashionistas visit the Gucci Museo museum.
UNITED
KINGDOM
One can travel back and forth in time as they visit the olden forts, castles, palaces, museums, universities and parks in the mini-continent of Britain. With advanced transport modes such as electric trains and modern buses, one can traverse the region with minimum time spent in transit.
The 1000 year old Tower of London on
the banks of river Thames was a former palace and prison. History lovers can
see the armor, weaponry and the crown Jewels which are all on display here. At
the Buckingham palace, home to the Britain’s Royal Family, visitors can witness
the pompous changing of the Guard and even tour the Palace’s state rooms. While
still in London, one can also visit the Parliament Buildings, Big Ben and
Westminster Abbey which is a location of many royal weddings.
Outside London, the city of Bath which
is named after its famous Roman baths is another travel destination with
visitors frequenting it for its healing waters. much as one can’t actually bath
in the water from the three hot springs because its temperature is 46.50C,
a visit to one of the many spas in the city will surely make you feel healed.
The Royal Crescent museum in the city also gives visitors an idea of what life
was like during the Georgian times.
Cambridge and Oxford universities are
famous universities known all over the world and some of the oldest higher
learning institutions in the world. A visit to either university gives one the
chance to explore the UK’s largest collection of preserved historic buildings;
with oldest being founded way back in 1284. Most of these are located in
Cambridge University.
A
trip to the UK will not be complete without visiting some of earth’s oldest
World Heritage Sites. Ancient Stonehenge was erected over 4,500 years ago as a
place of worship and here, visitors are not only awed by the magnificent
monument but also the scale of human ingenuity. Just 16 Kilometers south of
Stonehenge is the medieval city of Salisbury which is home to an original Magna
Carta. The cathedrals in the old city date back to 1220 and as one wanders in the city, they can marvel at the medieval
architecture.
Needless to say, UK is home to renown football club such as Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool just to name a few. I bet watching a soccer match at the old Trafford stadium will be a big check on most travellers’ to-do lists.
FRANCE
A stop in France is a mandatory for
travellers to Europe. Disney land is also another major destination point, for
children and adults alike.
The Capital, Paris, receives over 45
million visitors annually. It is renowned for its romantic ambience, and command in industries like
business, entertainment, gastronomy, fashion and art and culture.
Thousands of selfies out here should pay homage to the Eiffel
tower in Paris.
Other iconic landmarks in the ‘City of
Love’ are Arc de Triomphe ,
Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum and Musee d’Orsay. The river Seine
which flows right through the heart of Paris is not only a commerce and
transportation avenue but also offers viewers a reflection of the modern city.
A trip to the Bordeaux vineyards for
wine enthusiasts will surely satisfy their palates as here one can taste some
of the highest quality wines and champagnes the world has to offer, right from
the casks.
For
nature enthusiasts, the French Alps is the ultimate destination, with Mont
Blanc (the highest peak in the Alps) being the most famous sight. Given the
magnificent scenery in the area, most visitors engage in outdoor activities
including mountain climbing, hiking,
skiing, snowboarding and biking.
While in Europe, one can attend the
infamous Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany and take part in this famous beer
festival. While in still Germany, one
can visit the remaining standing portions of the Berlin wall at Checkpoint
Charlie and Reichstag in Berlin. The buzzing night life in Cologne will be a
fun way to cap a trip in the country.
GET
TRAVEL INSURANCE
If you are travelling to Europe, don’t
forget to get a comprehensive travel insurance cover against any emergency
medical expenses in case of an accident. It also covers against travel delays,
lost passport/IDs, delayed and lost buggage. To compare quotes online and get a
good deal on your Europe travel insurance, check out www.pesabazaar.com
When shopping for Schengen travel insurance online, compare different options so that you can save up to 40% on your premiums and get a more comprehensive protection.
Did you know that there are states in Europe that have no passport or border controls on their mutual borders and visitors to these states can travel in any of them with just one visa!?
The region covering these states is known as the Schengen region and it comprises of 26 countries namely Austria, Hungary, Norway, Belgium, Iceland, Poland, Portugal, Italy, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, France, Luxembourg, Sweden, Switzerland, Netherlands, Malta, Germany and Greece. The visa issued is also referred to as a Schengen visa.
However, United Kingdom countries such as England and Scotland do not lie in the Schengen region and therefore travellers to these countries must acquire separate visas at the embassy in their local countries.
In Kenya, one can apply for a Schengen visa at VFS Global processing center which processes visas for many of the Schengen consulates and embassies in the country. The center is located in Westlands, Nairobi. For a complete breakdown of the process involved, costs and requirements, please verify with the local embassy/consular page of the country you are travelling to.
Among the important requirements to be met when applying for a Schengen visa, Kenyan travellers need to have in place a Schengen travel insurance cover, return air ticket, proof of accommodation during their stay in Schengen and invitation letter if travelling say to visit relatives.
The travel insurance cover must cover emergency medical services with a minimum of 30,000 Euros and the cost of the cover is based on number of days of travel period and coverage needed. If travelling around the world and in need of more coverage, the cover will be expensive than if the converse were true.
Travel insurance also covers other risks such as loss of baggage, flight delays and cancellations, hijack among others. A traveller should thus look for a cover that is not only cheap but one that provides adequate coverage as well. Therefore when shopping for travel insurance online, it is important to
Kenyan travellers can compare insurance online and get discounts when shopping for travel insurance cover to the Schengen region. The cheapest options are offered by the below insurers;
Compare 10 travel insurance quotes online!
1. FIRST ASSURANCE TRAVEL COVER
First assurance offers a basic travel cover known as Europe Low Cost as well as Europe Plus travel insurance. The insurance cover is underwritten by MapFree assistencia and covers emergency medical expenses up to a limit of 30,000 Euros. In the event of death, the cover also caters for repatriation costs of mortal remains . It also covers the loss of in checked baggage and loss of any travel / ID documents and delays unlike most of the other basic covers on the market. Europe Plus option offers added benefits for the death or personal disablement of the insured and will pay out up USD 25,000 if a claim is lodged.
Pricing: Starts from USD 30 per person for journeys of up to 32 days
2. OCCIDENTAL EUROPE EXTRA INSURANCE
This is one of the most recent products introduced in the market still provided by the Spanish company MAPFRE. Occidental travel insurance is undoubtedly the cheapest travel insurance on the market introduced after the successful rebranding of the company to its white and green colors.
Occidental has 3 travel plans for Europe, namely the Basic, Plus and Extra. The most recommended option is the Extra option, which offers up to USD 100,000 emergency medical expenses limit.
Price: From USD 15 for travel up to 7 days
Eiffel Tower in Paris
3. AIG KENYA
Being an international insurance company, AIG Kenya travel insurance is very popular owing to its brand. It covers medical expenses and offers travel guard benefits up to USD 75,000 each. AIG also offers some of the best assistance and rescue solutions due to its international status and worldwide network.
Pricing: Starts from USD 25 per person
4. CIC BUDGET TRAVEL INSURANCE
CIC Kenya offers 5 world international travel insurances all underwritten by Specialty Assistance. The CIC Budget International travel cover is most suitable for travellers to the Schengen region and it covers emergency medical expenses up to a limit of USD 50,000.
Pricing starts from $20 per person for trips up to 8 days
5. JUBILEE TRAVEL COVER
Jubilee insurance offers one of the cheapest rates for travel insurance with the cost of the policy being $1.10 per person per day. This means, instead of charging the premium payable for a block of days, the rate is charged per each day of travel. This is different from all the other providers in the market that charge for a block of days usually with a minimum of 7 days.
The Jubilee Express travel insurance is the most suitable package for travellers to the Schengen region. It covers emergency medical expenses to a USD 45,000 limit, loss of baggage, flight delays and cancellations among others.
Pricing: USD 1.10 per person per day
6. UAP OLD MUTUAL
Old Mutual UAP is an insurance powerhouse in East Africa, established after the merger of UAP and Old Mutual, the giant in financial services globally. UAP Old Mutual is partnered with AXA worldwide to offer these international travel insurance covers to consumers in Kenya. Inter Partner Assistance offers Payment Of Medical Bills Abroad, Emergency evacuation and repatriation, In hospital monitoring, Emergency information and assistant, Return of mortal remains, Legal assistance. The Schengen travel insurance option offers an emergency limit of up to USD 80,000 but does not offer cover for travel delays and cancellations and also baggage loss and delays.
Price: Starts from USD 25 for trips of up to 8 days
It is prudent to note that travel insurance policies cover flight delays and cancellations that are occasioned by the airline or due to acts of terrorism among others. For such a claim to be admissible there must be evidence of the airline admitting the same. If one misses a flight for any other reason that the airline is not party to, then the claim may not be admissible.
If you are in Kenya and in need of a travel insurance cover for a Schengen visa application, check out this page https://www.pesabazaar.com/insurance/travel-insurance for a comparison online travel insurance quotes. You could save up to 40% on your travel cover
UAP Old Mutual travel in partnership with AXA provides up to 7 options for travellers from Kenya at cost effective rates in the market.
UAP Old Mutual is a financial services powerhouse that was created by the acquisition of UAP Group by the pan African firm Old Mutual in 2015 forming one of the biggest groups in the region. The group comprises of investment, retirement, and insurance and it operates mainly in the Eastern African region
For travel insurance, UAP Old Mutual has partnered with one of the largest financial services company, AXA to offer global cover to consumers in Kenya. AXA is a French multinational insurance company with close to 100 billions Euros as revenue in 2017. It is the world’s 2nd largest financial services provider by revenue. Inter Partner Assistance is the provider of the worldwide assistance to travellers who are covered on this UAP Old Mutual travel insurance. The services it offers to clients are the below
Payment Of Medical Bills Abroad
Emergency evacuation and repatriation
In hospital monitoring
Emergency information and assistant
Return of mortal remains
Legal assistance
Compare 10 travel insurance quotes online!
There are 7 different options for this travel insurance offered by UAP Old Mutual namely Business, Holiday, Schengen, Student, Senior, Incoming and last but not least East Africa. This is the only travel insurance plan in Kenya that differentiates between travel for holiday and business and also offers cover for senior citizens which is a rarity.
Below are some of the major benefits of the Schengen travel insurance by UAP Old Mutual.
BENEFIT
SCHENGEN
Medical Expenses and Related Expenses
USD 80,000
Medical Transportation, Repatriation & Evacuation
USD 25,000
Emergency Dental care
300 USD
Repatriation of children
USD 3,500
Repatriation of travel Companion
USD 3,500
Burial, Cremation or return of mortal remains
USD 25,000
Legal Expenses
USD 500
Personal Liability
USD 50,000
UAP Old Mutual Travel Insurance Rates
The UAP Old Mutual travel insurance rate varies depending on the package that one has chosen from the 7 options listed above.
For the Business package, the rates start at USD 6 per day minimum USD 24 for any trip, for the Schengen trip, the prices start at USD 25 for a trip of up to 8 days making it one of the most affordable packages on the market.
There is an easy way to get the best travel insurance cover in Kenya, simply visit our portal and key in your travel details and compare over 50 different plans instantly. Start here
