Change in Travel Plans? Here's What Happens to Your Travel Insurance

It's travel season again, and most people are advised to purchase travel insurance to reduce the financial risks of travelling. Have you ever wondered what is going to happen to your travel insurance if your vacation plans change unexpectedly or your trip is cancelled?

Even the best-laid plans can fail due to uncertainty. A trip you have been planning for months may be cancelled due to an unanticipated emergency. You will have pre-paid for flights, hotels, or other services similar to travel insurance. 

Will your travel insurance protect you if your trip is cancelled before it even begins?

What Does Your Policy Actually Say?

A travel insurance policy's purpose is to provide comprehensive coverage against any unforeseen event related to your travel or vacation plans. As a result, it is essential to purchase a plan that covers as many emergencies as possible. 

Having said that, yes, your travel insurance can protect you under certain circumstances.

It is also important to understand what your plan covers in the event of an emergency cancellation. It is crucial to know all inclusions and exclusions. To fully comprehend your policy, make sure you read it from beginning to end. It tells you exactly what to do if your flight is cancelled. The cancellation process, terms, and costs will all be outlined in the document.

Benefits of Travel Insurance in Case of Cancellation

Each travel insurance policy offers different benefits if you cancel or disrupt your trip. A careful reading of the policy document will reveal everything your plan has to offer. Here are some things to consider while purchasing your travel insurance:

In Case of Complete Cancellation 

After complete trip cancellation, the insurer can cancel the policy and refund the premium amount to the insured after deducting nominal charges. Trips that can be cancelled before the departure date are generally included with the aid of using Travel Insurance. A travel insurance policy will cover a large portion of the financial losses incurred due to trip cancellation. Flight cancellation fees, hotel reservation fees, and tour programme reservation fees are examples of such expenses.

In Case of Partial Cancellation

In case of partial cancellation, such as a change in travel period and duration, an insurer can simply cancel the existing plan and reissue the policy without any deductions while keeping the rest of the terms and conditions as per the policy. 

In Case of Trip Interruption

An emergency can indeed derail an ongoing journey. If such an event occurs after you have left and forces you to change your plans in the middle of your vacation, you should ideally have travel insurance. In this case, a travel insurance policy can assist in compensating financial liabilities incurred due to interruptions, such as lost lodging, paid travel charges, and expenses incurred due to flight cancellations.

In Case of Untravelled Passenger

Even if the policy period has begun and you have not yet departed, an insurer may cancel or modify the policy travel period after confirming that the travel has not yet commenced. The policyholder will need proof that you did not take your trip. Your passport can be shown as proof. Insurance companies frequently require policyholders to request cancellation at least 14 days after the date of insurance. Insurance companies may levy a cancellation fee by keeping a portion of the premium.

Summing it up

As long as the customers have not left on a trip and made no claims, insurance companies allow customers to cancel the policy and receive a refund within 10-20 days of purchase due to unavoidable consequences. However, proof of not making the journey must be submitted. On the other hand, a cancellation request is usually considered within 14 days of the first date of insurance, as specified in the policy schedule, subject to the retention of any applicable charges. When a policy is cancelled, a premium amount is held, which differs by company and includes service taxes.

You can choose International Travel Insurance by Care Health Insurance, which offers business class upgrades and region-specific plans to suit your needs. The travel insurance policies of different companies differ as well. As a result, you should carefully check the coverage document, which explains what the insurance covers and does not cover and the specific cancellation procedures, charges and conditions. 

Disclaimer: Plan features, benefits, coverage, and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus, and policy documents carefully.