For many people, cancellation cover is one of the most important parts of their travel insurance. It offers peace of mind and flexibility, especially for expensive or long trips.
If life throws you an unexpected curveball – a family emergency, unexpected illness, or other unforeseen situations – it’s reassuring to know you can cancel your trip without worry. Cancellation cover gives you the flexibility to adjust your plans in case of an emergency and could save you hundreds or even thousands of pounds.
What is travel insurance cancellation cover?
Cancellation cover allows you to cancel your trip for specific reasons and recover pre-paid costs. This includes expenses you can’t get back from airlines, accommodation, or tour operators.
How much cancellation cover do I need?
A common question when choosing travel insurance is how much cancellation cover is enough. Make sure your travel insurance covers the total cost of your trip, including flights, accommodation and any pre-paid activities. It's worth checking the policy details because most insurers offer different levels of cancellation cover.
Does your travel insurance include cancellation cover?
Most travel insurance policies include cover for cancellations, so be sure to check your policy documents to see what’s included.
What does cancellation cover include?
Cancellation cover varies by insurance provider but will usually cover things like non-refundable or pre-paid expenses. These might include the following:
- Travel tickets - if you’ve booked flights but need to cancel due to unavoidable circumstances, your insurer can typically refund the cost of travel tickets, allowing you to claim the money back.
- Accommodation - non-refundable hotel bookings or holiday rentals can be covered, meaning you won’t lose money if you need to cancel your trip.
- Activities and booked tours - cancellation cover can help you recover some costs for prepaid activities or tours if you need to cancel your plans.
Buying travel insurance as soon as you book your holiday will ensure you’re covered if something comes up unexpectedly that might get in the way of your holiday plans.
Common reasons for cancellation that are often covered include:
- illness or injury to you or a close family member
- a death in the family
- job related issues like redundancy
- a natural disaster at your destination
- summoned for jury duty
You may need to provide documentation, like medical certificates or proof of emergency, to support your claim.
What’s not covered by cancellation cover?
While cancellation cover offers reassurance, the level of protection depends on your policy and travel insurance provider. There are some exclusions that you should watch out for.
- Change of mind: if you suddenly decide not to go on the trip, this won’t be covered.
- Pre-existing conditions: cancellation cover is unlikely to apply if you haven't declared a medical condition that prevents you from travelling.
- Non-compliance with policy conditions: make sure you follow your policy conditions, like notifying your insurer in advance or providing the right documents. If you don’t, your claim could be rejected. If you’re unsure, check your policy for clarity.
- Cancellation or injury caused by drug or alcohol misuse: cancellation or travel disruptions caused by being under the influence, including injuries that prevent you from travelling, may not be covered.
- Flight cancellation: if your flight gets cancelled, the airline is usually responsible for covering the cost. But there are certain situations where you might be able to claim expenses through your travel insurance. Read our blog to find out how travel insurance can protect you when flights get cancelled.
Making a cancellation claim on your travel insurance
Making a claim for trip cancellation doesn’t have to be hard if you follow these simple steps.
- Let your insurer know as soon as you know that you’ll have to cancel your trip.
- Provide supporting documents with information about your holiday plans like cancellation emails, and evidence of unexpected disruptions, such as job loss or travel delays.
- Complete the cancellation claim form provided by your travel insurance provider and make sure all details are accurate. You can often find this online.
- Provide proof of expenses like receipts for the non-refundable costs of your trip like flight tickets, hotel bookings and activities.
Making a claim for illness-related cancellations
In the event of an unexpected illness or injury, you may be able to claim cancellation costs under your travel insurance policy. To make a claim, you’ll need to:
- present medical evidence from a healthcare professional that you’re unable to travel due to unexpected illness. This may include a doctor’s note, hospital records or treatment details.
- let your insurer know about the illness as soon as it happens. Delaying the claim could lead to complications.
- read your policy details carefully to know what’s covered and what’s not, as some policies may exclude certain medical conditions.
Reassurance wherever you go
It’s reassuring to have travel insurance in place, so that you’re well-prepared for the unexpected, when you travel. Having the right cover will give you financial protection against unexpected events.
PayingTooMuch helps you compare and find the right policy for your needs. With a wide range of affordable, hassle-free travel insurance options, you can make informed choices and get the right cover for you and your plans.
Compare quotes today and find the perfect plan for you.
