What Happens to Your Travel Insurance If There is Sudden Change in Your Holiday Plans?

Understand your policy well

Have a clear knowledge regarding the various inclusions and exclusions of travel insurance online. That ways you would know what to do in case of a cancellation. You must read your policy document right after its purchase. A policy document not only tells what the policy does and doesn't cover; it also explains the detailed cancellation procedures, charges and conditions. Awareness on your part would help you in understanding the policy processing.

Trip cancellation and trip interruption benefits

Travel covers provided differ from insurer to insurer. You are required to check your policy document to know what it offers.

Trip cancellations

Such benefits are valid for cancellations before the said departure date. These benefits are in line with the specified sum insured of your policy. Some of the benefits that are provided to cover financial losses due to sudden cancellations are:

• Costs relating to flight cancellations
• Advance towards hotel reservations
• Booking fees paid for travel packages etc…

Please remember, these covers are applicable only if your policy offers them exclusively. Any commissions paid to travel agents, are not covered.

Trip Interruption

Your journey has begun and out of nowhere an emergency comes up. Post your departure, if you are urged to alter your travel or holiday, travel insurance plans could lend you a helping hand. They compensate up to the sum insured of your policy, any financial liabilities that may arise due to trip interruption. Emergency conditions include:

• Death of family member
• Unexpected disease or critical illness of the insured that is serious enough to cause an interruption or cancellation.
• Extreme weather conditions causing cancellation of the trip
• A natural disaster or act of God in the place meant to visit
• A terrorist incident/political unrest in the City or destination listed in the insured itinerary

What to expect:

The cover would compensate for expenses to return home. It would also cover all additional transportation expenses that may have been incurred to get to the original trip destination in case of any delay in trip departure date, due to an unpleasant event.

Cancellation procedure of travel insurance policy

Insurance companies allow a total cancellation of a travel insurance policy, provided you have gone on a holiday. A proof of passport is to be deposited to emphasize on the fact that the journey was not made. A request for cancellation is usually looked into not less than 14 days after the first date of insurance, as mentioned in the policy schedule. Charges applicable: For cancellation of policy, a premium retention varying between Rs. 250 to 300 (including Service Tax) is taken.