Viral video raises eyebrows: is your insurance valid for lion nibbling damage on safari?

Does insurance cover a lion bite damage on your car?

That’s the question on the minds of many netizens after a traveller shared a video of a lion snacking on her vehicle.

Felicia (@ismunqa_sentombi), a teacher and content creator from Mzansi, recently posted a TikTok video detailing her experience during a self-drive safari at the Lion & Safari Park, located near Lanseria, north of Johannesburg.

The park offers both guided and self-drive tours, allowing visitors to have close encounters with various animals, including giraffe feeding and driving through lion enclosures.

In the viral video titled ‘POV: You went for a safari self-drive and this is what happened’, a lioness is seen curiously digging into the side mirror of Felicia's car on the passenger side.

The video has garnered over 500 000 views on TikTok, sparking a range of reactions from viewers.

One user, @busilemogotsi, commented, “Lion Park is becoming dangerous.”

Another user, @le_amour_, quipped, “You just watched it? Why didn’t you just open the window and give it a warm clap?”

Meanwhile, @rehlotse_ remarked, “I always tell people that you haven’t truly witnessed the size of a lion if you have only seen it on TV. Those things are crazy huge. 🤯”

User @mablueblue added, “What did the insurance say? 🤭😂”

Felicia explained that her side mirror was already damaged when she arrived at the safari park.

She believes the lion was merely intrigued by the rubber bands securing the cover of her side mirror to the car, which is why she chose not to inform her insurance company about the incident.

However, the TikTok video has raised questions about whether insurance would cover damages incurred during a self-driving safari.

Another social media user posed a similar question on Quora: “My daughter went to a safari park with her friends, and baboons swarmed all over her car and tore the wiper off the rear window. Who is responsible for the damage?”

According to Willem van de Putte, motoring journalist at "Independent Media", some insurance policies typically cover minor mishaps, such as a lion nibbling on your car.

However, coverage depends on the specific terms of your agreement.

He advises, “When shopping for insurance, ask specific questions like, ‘Are you covered for mishaps like a lion nibbling on your car whilst you’re on a self-drive safari?’ and get it on record to avoid any disputes should something out of the ordinary happen.”

This incident serves as a reminder for safari-goers to understand their insurance policies and ensure they are adequately covered for unexpected wildlife encounters.