I have a couple of what I think are valuable suggestions for those of you going over to hunt in Africa this year., Having been there this year here are my suggestions and why:

1. BUY GUN INSURANCE. Just a real quick story behind this suggestion. Delta lost my firearms in Atlanta. At one point I was told by Delta's reps that they believed that they were stolen. The airlines have no way of tracking your firearms between the airport of departure (i.e. Las Vegas) and the airport of arrival(i.e. Atlanta), until they have been checked through baggage at the airport of arrival. Thus, your guns can be taken off of the plane upon arrival and never arrive in the baggage terminal and they have no way of knowing what happened. (This they personally admitted to me as well) After personally spending the entire day and night in the Atlanta airport harassing the Delta reps about my firearms(since I had to leave that next morning for Jo-burg and was not going to leave for Africa without my guns), one Delta baggage rep took my plight on as his personal crusade and found and located my guns in Florida and had them sent back one hour before we left for Jo-burg. But this would not have happened had I not spent the entire night in the airport talking and pushing people to find my guns. This included the whole TSA staff at the Hartsfield/Atlanta Airport, the Delta staff back in Las Vegas, etc. BUY GUN INSURANCE. The airlines are only liable for about $2500.00 for your baggage and if you are like me and have a nice double rifle, in addition to a nice bolt action rifle, $2500.00 isn't but a drop in the bucket. I will never go back without first purchasing gun insurance.

2. USE OPTIMA OR ONE OF THE OTHER SIMILAR SERVICES. They had my wife and I through immigration, the SAPS, customs and booked and boarded on our domestic flight to Phalaborwa in no time and we went to the head of the line because we had everything in order. One group of hunters missed their connecting flight because they were way back in line and tried to do it themselves. Also, make sure you have the right SAPS forms completely filled out beforehand, with photo copies of your 4457, your passport etc. already made as well to give to your Optima rep to give to the SAPS. You can't believe how many guys were standing in line and filling out their SAPS form for the first time! One gentleman was even trying to use an SAPS form that was four years old. Spending $95 to save all of the hassle for my wife and I, and to give us peace of mind was well worth it.

Just a couple of suggestions for all you traveling hunters this year to Africa to consider. Hope that some of this will be helpful, based on my recent experience.

Thank you for the thought and your ideas.
Frank

Very good advice!!

CFA

Any suggestions on gun insurance providers?

Or are you suggesting just specifically listing your guns on your homeowners insurance?

Hugh

Use Enough Gun:

Thank you, kind sir, for the recommendations.

Can someone tell me more about how gun insurance works and whom you can get it through. Is it coverage for a year, or just for the length of a trip?

quote:

Originally posted by 577NitroExpress:
Use Enough Gun:

Thank you, kind sir, for the recommendations.

Can someone tell me more about how gun insurance works and whom you can get it through. Is it coverage for a year, or just for the length of a trip?

look up http://www.siai.net Sportsmans Insurance.

YOu can buy it for as long as you need it. Or buy it and cancel it and get refund, but I leave my insurance in place year around in case of fire or theft.

I have looked at several gun insurance companys includiing the SCI program. I ended up listing my guns on my State Farm Home owners as a rider. It costs me $260/year for $30,000 of insurance. They cover everything including aa enraged elephant bending the barrels around a tree and dropped or other damage. I have had it for 3 years and I am quite pleased with it.

465H&H

465 beat me to the punch. I also have State Farm (reated #1 after the hurricanes last year here in Floriduh). An inland marine policy for $45,000 costs me about $31 a month extra on my homeowner's policy with a $500 deductable. Covers me when I travel anywhere in the world except to a declared war zone. It even covered a mishap wwith an H-S Precision 300WM and S&B PMII scope that I carelessly left leaning against the bumper of a truck which susequently got run over by your truly when backing up to load an eland my client shot. NQA-turn in reciepts for replacing your stick and they cut a check.

Your home owners insurance can give you a one year writter on you firearms etc. for not much money...I use State farm..

Once again, you guys are great!

Pursuant to reading this thread, I just added a rider (that specifically is for guns) to my USAA homeowners insurance. I'd sure hate to lose my custom-built .416 Remington Magnum -- first custom gun I ever owned, built in 1991 -- but, if the worst comes to pass, it'll be covered.

Thanks for this thread, folks.

Russ

Go to your Independant Insurance Agent and ask him to add a Scheduled Article Floater to your homeowners policy.You will be asked to provide a list of your firearms,by make. model and serial number and establish a specific value for each.you will be charged a premium for the total $ amount.The advantage to this coverage is tht it is "all risk"meaning any loss not specifically excluded is covered,whereas your standard homeowners coverage is "named peril, meaning only the specificly enumerated perils are covered, and most homeowners policies have a $2500 limit for theft of firearns.If you wish the policy can be cancsled upon return to the states.The floater is not limited to firearms so your expensive binos,scopes,sat phones etc can also be insured.Hope this is of some help.
Bravo five one

primary problem is using Delta. There's a reason why the SCI guys claim that it is one of the 2 worst airlines when it comes to handling guns. I figure they cost me about $30,000.

It's been said before...
Don't Expect Luggage To Arrive (Delta's expanded acronym)

I thank those who have responded so far and have also provided the names and suggestions for gun insurance, per my thread. Since my recent return (and the real nightmare I was involved in on 6/18/05 in Atlanta) I am going to get it and will not leave home with my firearms without insurance securely in place.

Yep. That too should be on everyone's list as well, especially those who are hunting Dangerous Game. And the way that driving is conducted on the continent requires it anyway.