What trip cancellation insurance is
Non-refundable air fares, a prepaid hotel, a package tour with cancellation penalties — if the trip falls through, the money is often lost. Trip cancellation insurance (the "Trip cancellation" option) reimburses such non-refundable costs if you could not travel for a reason covered by the policy wording.
At polisre.ru this protection is added as an extra option to a travel medical policy. So you get one document: medical insurance for the trip plus cover in case it is cancelled.
Which reasons are usually covered
The list differs between insurers, so check the wording before paying. It most often includes:
- sudden illness or injury of the insured person that makes the trip impossible;
- illness or death of a close relative;
- damage to your home that requires you to be there;
- a court summons or other events expressly listed in the wording.
Visa refusal is covered by a separate option, "Visa refusal". If you are going to a country that requires a visa, it makes sense to add it too (more on visa requirements on the insurance for a visa page).
What is not covered
The insurance does not work if you simply changed your mind, your work plans changed without a valid reason from the wording, or you knew in advance about the event that made you cancel. Costs that can be refunded by the carrier or hotel are not reimbursed either — the insurer pays only the non-refundable part.
How to choose the sum
In the calculator, cover under the "Trip cancellation" option is chosen from amounts between 500 and 5,000 in the policy currency. Base it on your non-refundable costs: add up the tickets, hotel and tour you would lose if you cancelled. There is no point taking much more — the payout will not exceed your actual losses.
When to buy
Ideally, right after paying for tickets or the tour. Many insurers have timing conditions: for example, cancellation cover may not apply if the policy is bought shortly before departure. The exact terms are in the chosen company's wording and are worth checking in advance.
How cancellation and medical cover fit together
The "Trip cancellation" option protects you before the journey starts, while medical cover applies during it. So enter the dates of your actual itinerary and choose the medical sum insured as carefully as for any trip.
If the trip is postponed rather than cancelled, the policy details can be changed. Note that a change is made by reissuing the contract, and the price may be recalculated, for example because of exchange rate movements. Check the procedure with the insurer using the contacts in your policy.
Options to add alongside cancellation cover
- Early return — if you have to cut the trip short because a relative falls ill at home.
- Flight delay and Baggage delay — compensation for disruption on the way.
- Baggage insurance — in case luggage is lost on the flight.
What to do if the trip falls through
Notify the insurer or assistance company immediately using the contacts in your policy, and cancel your bookings to fix the amount of non-refundable losses. Collect documents: proof of the reason (medical certificates, visa refusal, etc.), receipts and refund terms from the carrier and hotel. The general procedure is described in the "Insured event" section.
How to buy at polisre.ru
- Open the travel insurance calculator and enter the country, dates and travellers.
- Add the "Trip cancellation" option and choose the amount; add "Visa refusal" if needed.
- Compare offers from 16 insurance companies — selection and purchase run through Polis Re's partner, the Cherehapa service.
- Pay for the policy — it arrives by e-mail. The policy is issued by the insurance company you choose.
The option is especially popular for expensive trips: for example, to the Maldives, Seychelles or Schengen countries, where there is a risk of visa refusal.