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Best Gap Cover in South Africa (2026)
Every major provider compared, including Curemed’s own gap cover range, from R99 per month.
There is no single best gap cover for everyone: the right policy depends on your age, your medical scheme, your budget and the procedures you are likely to need. What you can compare objectively is tariff cover, co-payment benefits, waiting periods, entry ages and price. This page does that for South Africa’s major gap cover providers, and explains where Curemed Gap Cover, our own range from R99 per month, fits in.
Disclosure: Curemed Gap Cover is Curemed’s own branded product range, administered by Total Risk Administrators (TRA) and underwritten by Auto & General Insurance Company Limited, a licensed non-life insurer (Reg No 1973/016880/06). Curemed (FSP 44098) also advises on competing gap cover products, and this comparison names them.
Curemed Gap Cover: our own range
Curemed Gap Cover pays the difference between what specialists charge in hospital and what your medical aid pays, on any registered South African medical scheme. The range mirrors TRA’s product line and is underwritten by Auto & General. Curemed clients have had over R10.5 million in real gap claims paid, and every plan includes claims handled by the same Curemed team recognised in the Bonitas, Bestmed, Medihelp and Discovery broker awards.
Premiums below are the 2026 rate card, per policy per month. Benefits are subject to the policy wording and the regulated annual benefit limit; T’s and C’s apply.
Curemed Basic 300
R99 /month
Covers specialist shortfalls up to 300% of the medical scheme tariff, with an annual benefit limit of R219,845.
Curemed Vital Plus
R394 /month
Up to 700% of tariff, in-network co-payment cover and a medical aid contribution waiver benefit.
Curemed Super Plus
R417 /month
Up to 700% of tariff, co-payment cover in and out of network, and oncology extender benefits.
Curemed Absolute Plus
R681 /month
Everything in Super Plus, plus emergency ambulance services and the richest benefit set in the range.
All Curemed Gap Cover plans include extras such as Home Drive (six trips a year within a 50 km radius after hospital discharge), a 24-hour panic button service, a travel benefit for emergency medical evacuation, and claims submission through the TRA mobile app. Full plan detail is on the Curemed Gap Cover page, or ask an adviser for a quote.
The gap cover market at a glance
Curemed advises on the whole market, not only our own range. The table below summarises the eight ranges we compare most often; the full seven-provider comparison covers each in detail.
| Range | Underwriter | Tariff cover | Stands out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curemed Gap Cover | Auto & General (administered by TRA) | Up to 700% on Absolute Plus | R99 entry price and broker-managed claims by Curemed’s own team |
| TRA | Auto & General | Up to 700% on Absolute Cover Plus | Entry pricing from about R99 per month; pricing for over-65s |
| Turnberry | Lombard Insurance | Up to 500% on higher plans | Complimentary international travel cover; extended family to 80+ |
| Sanlam Gap Cover | Centriq Insurance | Up to 600% on Comprehensive | Large oncology benefit set |
| Zestlife | Guardrisk | Up to 500% on Universal | No general or condition-specific waiting periods; no maximum entry age |
| Stratum Benefits | Guardrisk | 300%, 400% and 500% options | 24/7 counselling and wellness service; no maximum entry age |
| Discovery Gap Cover | Discovery Insure | Up to 500% on Comprehensive | Automatic gap identification with no separate claim form |
| Sirago | GENRIC Insurance | Up to 500% on Ultimate Gap | One family can span two different medical schemes |
Across the market, 2026 premiums run from about R53 to about R1,150 per month depending on plan, age and family size. See also the cheapest gap cover options.
How to actually choose
Start with the shortfall you are most exposed to. On a network or entry-level medical aid plan, specialist accounts of 300% to 500% of tariff are common, so tariff cover matters most. If your plan carries procedure co-payments, weigh co-payment benefits. If you are over 60, entry age and age-band pricing usually decide the shortlist before benefits do.
Because Curemed is an independent brokerage, an adviser can quote our own range alongside Turnberry, Zestlife, Stratum, Sanlam, Sirago and the rest, and show you the actual numbers for your age and scheme. The advice costs you nothing. Speak to a Curemed adviser.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best gap cover in South Africa?
There is no single best policy; it depends on your age, scheme and budget. For most people the shortlist comes down to tariff cover and price: Curemed Gap Cover and TRA reach up to 700% of tariff with entry pricing from R99 per month, Zestlife stands out for having no waiting periods, and Turnberry, Sanlam, Stratum, Discovery and Sirago each lead on specific benefits. An independent broker can compare them for your situation at no cost.
Who underwrites Curemed Gap Cover?
Curemed Gap Cover is administered by Total Risk Administrators (TRA) and underwritten by Auto & General Insurance Company Limited, a licensed non-life insurer and financial services provider (Reg No 1973/016880/06). Curemed Health and Wealth Consultants (FSP 44098) is the distributing brokerage.
How much does gap cover cost in 2026?
From about R53 to about R1,150 per month across the market. Curemed Gap Cover starts at R99 per month for Basic 300 and tops out at R681 per month for Absolute Plus on the 2026 rate card.
Can I take gap cover with any medical aid?
Yes. Gap cover is a separate short-term insurance policy and works alongside any registered South African medical scheme, including Bestmed, Bonitas, Discovery Health, Fedhealth, KeyHealth, Medihelp and Momentum. You must belong to a medical scheme to hold gap cover.
Premiums and benefits verified against the 2026 rate card and provider material. Last updated: 18 August 2026.