What Is Travel Disruption Cover?

Travel disruption cover is broader than cancellation alone. It may help when your trip is interrupted, delayed, cut short, or affected by an insured event.

Always check the policy wording to understand which events are covered and what proof may be required when claiming.

Depending on the policy, travel disruption benefits may include:

Trip cancellation before departure
Trip curtailment after departure
Travel delay benefits
Missed connection cover
Additional accommodation or transport costs
Delayed departure benefits
Certain airline or travel supplier disruptions

When Can Trip Cancellation Cover Apply?

Trip cancellation cover may apply when you need to cancel for a specific insured reason listed in your policy.

The reason for cancellation must usually be unexpected and must occur after you buy the policy.

Common covered reasons may include:

Sudden illness or injury before travel
Hospitalisation
Death or serious illness of a close family member
Unexpected events affecting your home before departure
Certain travel document issues, depending on the policy
Jury duty or compulsory legal attendance, where covered
Other insured events listed in the policy schedule

What Costs Can Be Covered?

Trip cancellation insurance may help reimburse selected prepaid and non-refundable travel costs.

The amount payable will depend on the policy limit, supporting documents, and the terms of your travel bookings.

These may include:

Airline cancellation charges
Non-refundable accommodation deposits
Tour cancellation penalties
Cruise cancellation charges
Package holiday cancellation costs
Unused prepaid travel arrangements

Trip Curtailment Cover

Trip curtailment is different from trip cancellation. Cancellation usually applies before you leave, while curtailment applies after your trip has already started.

Curtailment cover may help if you need to return home early because of a covered event.

Curtailment benefits may help with unused travel costs or additional transport expenses, depending on the policy.

This may include:

A medical emergency
A family emergency
Serious illness or injury
An insured event affecting your home
Other reasons listed in the policy

Travel Delay and Missed Connection Cover

Travel delays can create extra costs, especially when they affect connecting flights, accommodation, tours, or onward transport.

Most policies require proof of the delay, such as written confirmation from the airline or transport provider.

Depending on the policy, travel delay or missed connection cover may help with:

Additional accommodation
Meals and essential expenses
Alternative transport
Missed onward travel arrangements
Delays caused by airline or transport disruptions

What Is Usually Not Covered?

Trip cancellation insurance does not cover every reason for cancelling a trip.

Before buying cover, read the policy exclusions carefully.

Common exclusions may include:

Changing your mind about travelling
Cancelling because you no longer want to travel
Known events that existed before buying the policy
Pre-existing medical conditions, unless accepted by the insurer
Travel against medical advice
Failure to obtain a visa or valid travel documents, unless specifically covered
Claims linked to alcohol or drug misuse
Financial default of a travel supplier, unless included
Cancellation due to circumstances excluded in the policy wording

Documents You May Need When Claiming

If you need to claim for trip cancellation or travel disruption, you may be asked to provide supporting documents.

Keep all receipts and written confirmations until your claim has been finalised.

These may include:

Proof of payment for flights, accommodation, or tours
Booking confirmations
Cancellation invoices
Airline or travel supplier correspondence
Medical certificates, where relevant
Death certificate or supporting family documents, where relevant
Police or incident reports, where required
Proof of unused travel arrangements

How to Get a Trip Cancellation Insurance Quote Online

To get a travel insurance quote, you will usually need to provide a few details about your trip.

You can then review available travel insurance options and check whether cancellation and disruption benefits are included.

You will usually need to provide:

Your destination
Travel dates
Number of travellers
Traveller ages
Type of trip
Estimated trip cost, where required
Any additional cover needs

Trip Cancellation
Insurance

What Is Trip Cancellation Insurance?

This can include costs such as: