Travel Guard is who I have used for many years.
If you get bitten by a black mamba you are dead. If a rhino stomps you, you will probably die. If a big cat tears you up you will probably die.
The other side of that is, can you afford to pay the medical bills on your own if something should happen on the hunt? If not, get the insurance. A lot of this depends on where you are going on your hunt.
There are 2 types of insurance you need to consider as Db1 stated.... Trip cancellation insurance covers your non-refundable deposits, trip delays, baggage loss, etc... It is based on the total cost of these non-refundable expenses, and it is a good idea to get especially if there is any chance you may have to cancel your trip. Some companies, like Travel Guard also offer emergency medical care and emergency evacuation which are 2 entirely different things. Your health insurance here at home will not be accepted in Africa. Your health insurance may reimburse you later, but it will not be honored at the time of your injury. If you require hospitalization, you would need to make other arrangements for payment. This emergency medical insurance would cover that. Also, in the event that you were seriously injured, and needed to be evacuated by air out of the bush, you would need the emergency medical evacuation coverage. This also covers the cost of a medical jet home to the hospital of your choice in the event you are hospitalized indefinitely or want to come home to your own doctors. These type of costs can exceed $100K. Depending on the specific coverage that you elect, the cost typically ranges from $150-250 per person on a 10 day safari.
I always get the emergency evacuation coverage, and we always recommend it to our guests. However, it's a decision that you will have to consider given your personal circumstances. With regard to trip cancellation coverage, check with your credit card company to see if you have any built-in protection. For example, our AMEX card automatically provides a lot of these coverages if you use the card to book airfares.
For travel insurance & emergency medical expenses, Travel Guard is one of the better ones... For emergency evacuation, look at medjetassistance.com and medexassist.com.
Thanks for a great explanation. I know of three hunters who had to cancel trips for various reasons and the insurance was a blessing. I know of two hunters who had to cancel hunts and wished they would have purchased the insurance. Never know what the future may hold.
I use Travel Guard for ALL trips, not just my hunting adventures.
Also the emergency medical coverage will help in the event that something unexpected happens and U.S. health insurance is not valid outside of the U.S.
A couple hundred dollars could help protect several thousands of dollars, if needed. It is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
Hope she's enjoyed every vacation since.
I'm planning on Africa next year. I will be insured.
An editor had a lion hunting platform collapse and had to get a get ride back to the states, plus African hospital expense.
He said insurance saved a major chunk of his life's savings.
Several years ago I wrote up a story here called Northwest Nightmare about my experiences with an airline and lost luggage on a trip to South Africa. What I learned was put all your gear on your HO policy in case it gets lost. You can purchase the other insurance to get you home, or to recoup your ticket prices.
There are a couple of companies that offer "traveling sportsmen's" policies... Travel Guard, for example, has a Sportsman's policy that specifically covers those traveling with guns, bows, golf, ski equipment, etc... Don't quote me, but I believe there is a $2,000 limitation, but your specialty gear will be covered above the weight limitations. Also, if you have gun insurance through SCI's company, travel loss is also covered.
Also, if it hasn't already been said, don't pack optics, range finders, cameras, etc.., inside gun and bow cases or regular checked bags. Keep the expensive, fragile stuff in your backpack/carry-on....