Travel Insurance Cancellation Policy

You can opt for additional add-ons to standard insurance plans that go beyond the usual coverage for flight delays or cancellations.

Travel insurance cancellation policies reimburse individuals for expenses that cannot be refunded or deferred if they are unable to proceed with their trip due to various reasons. Some travel insurance providers offer standalone plans specifically for trip and flight cancellations, with optional add-ons available to extend coverage beyond typical delays or cancellations.

When unexpected circumstances compel you to cancel a trip, you typically encounter cancellation fees. Travel and accommodation providers often increase these fees as the departure or check-in date approaches, reducing your potential refund. To minimize these expenses, it is advisable to promptly contact the providers after confirming your cancellation, ideally within five days of the event, and provide necessary documentation.

Travel insurance cancellation policies vary among providers, and you may be required to pay a percentage of the total cost depending on when you cancel.

To validate the trip cancellation policy, you must ensure that the reason for cancelling is listed in the policy. The event must occur after you purchase the insurance, be unforeseen, and unintentional. Valid scenarios may include the following:

  • The trip cancellation policy requires the occurrence of the death of a family member to be listed, unforeseen, and unintentional after purchasing the insurance.
  • The trip cancellation policy mandates that severe injury or illness affecting you or your family must be listed, unforeseen, and unintentional after purchasing the insurance.
  • The trip cancellation policy requires that damage to your residence must be listed, unforeseen, and unintentional after purchasing the insurance.
  • After purchasing the insurance, the trip cancellation policy stipulates that any changes to your paid leave dates from work must be unforeseen and unintentional.
  • The trip cancellation policy requires that terrorist attacks or natural disasters at your travel destination must be unforeseen and unintentional after purchasing the insurance.
  • The trip cancellation policy requires that the denial of a tourist visa must be unforeseen and unintentional after purchasing the insurance.
  • The trip cancellation policy requires that the need to reappear for an exam must be unforeseen and unintentional after purchasing the insurance.
  • The trip cancellation policy requires that the loss of employment or obtaining new employment must be unforeseen and unintentional after purchasing the insurance.
  • The trip cancellation policy requires that the theft of ID or travel ticket must be unforeseen and unintentional after purchasing the insurance.
  • Trip cancellation insurance operates by reimbursing travelers for expenses if they have to cancel their trip due to unforeseen circumstances.

How does Travel Cancellation Insurance work?

  • Travelers primarily incur expenses on flights and hotel reservations when canceling a trip. However, having the appropriate travel insurance coverage, which includes benefits for flight and trip cancellation, can protect travelers from substantial financial burdens.
  • Trip cancellation insurance can be valuable in situations where delays occur during the trip. For example, if a flight experiences delays due to technical issues, unexpected airline itself staff strikes, or natural disasters, travelers may incur additional costs for meals or accommodations. With flight delay insurance, insurer reimburses travelers for these expenses.

Note: When booking your trip through a travel agency or tour operator’s website, you can purchase a cancellation policy. Typically, the insurance cost amounts to a percentage (ranging from 4%).