Does cancellation cover apply if I change my mind about going?

No. "Disinclination to travel" — simply not wanting to go — is not a covered cancellation reason. Cancellation cover requires a specific qualifying event that is outside your control. Some premium policies offer "cancel for any reason" (CFAR) cover as an upgrade, which provides partial reimbursement (typically 50–75%) for cancellations not covered by standard reasons. CFAR is not available on all policies and typically costs significantly more.

I need to cancel because of a work commitment — am I covered?

Standard cancellation cover does not cover work commitments except in very limited circumstances — typically redundancy (compulsory, not voluntary). Being asked to attend a meeting, a project overrunning, or changing jobs is not a covered reason. If work-related cancellations are a realistic risk, look for a policy that explicitly includes this or consider a CFAR upgrade. See our travel insurance guide for what standard cancellation sections typically include.

The airline cancelled my flight — is this a travel insurance cancellation claim?

Airline-initiated cancellations are primarily covered by the airline under EC Regulation 261/2004 (for EU/UK flights) — re-routing or full refund. Travel insurance cancellation cover is for situations where you cancel the trip. If the airline cancels, claim first through the airline. Travel insurance may cover losses the airline does not — accommodation pre-booked separately, for example. See our article on the travel claims workshop for how to layer claims.

Can I claim for a deposit I paid before buying the insurance?

Yes — but only for cancellation reasons that arise after the policy is taken out. If you booked and paid a deposit, then bought insurance, then suffered an illness that forced cancellation, the claim is valid. If the illness or event that caused cancellation existed before you bought the insurance, the claim will be declined. This is why buying travel insurance at the point of booking is so important — it maximises the period during which qualifying events can arise. For the pre-existing conditions angle, see our article on pre-existing conditions.

Consumer alert ·All regions ·2026-10-22 ·5 min read

Travel Insurance Cancellation Cover: What Qualifies and What Is Excluded

Cancellation cover is one of the most valuable parts of a travel insurance policy — but the list of covered reasons is more limited than most people expect. This article explains what qualifies, what does not, and the steps that maximise your chance of a successful claim.

Typically covered cancellation reasons

Usually covered

Unexpected illness or injury preventing travel (you, a travelling companion, or a close relative)
Death of a close relative or travelling companion
Compulsory redundancy
Jury service you cannot defer
Your home made uninhabitable by fire, flood, or subsidence immediately before travel
Epidemic or pandemic at the destination (only if specifically included in wording)
Failure of the tour operator (with an ATOL-protected booking)

Usually not covered

Change of mind or disinclination to travel
Work commitments (other than compulsory redundancy)
Flight cancellation by the airline (covered by airline/EC261)
Pre-existing conditions not declared at purchase
Financial difficulty or inability to afford the trip
Travel advice change (unless policy explicitly includes this)
Events that were foreseeable when you booked

Steps that maximise a cancellation claim

Buy insurance at the time of booking, not when you travel — cancellation cover starts from the policy purchase date.

Declare all pre-existing medical conditions at purchase. An undisclosed condition — even if it is not what causes the cancellation — can void the claim.

Get documentation immediately: medical certificate from the GP, death certificate, letter confirming redundancy. Insurers require original evidence.

Claim against the travel supplier first (airline, hotel, tour operator) for any refundable amounts. Travel insurance covers the irrecoverable losses — not amounts you could have recovered elsewhere.

Notify your insurer promptly — most policies require notification within a stated period of knowing you need to cancel.

For practical guidance on using travel insurance when things go wrong, see our travel insurance guide and the travel claims workshop.

Cancellation cover FAQ

Frequently asked questions

: No. "Disinclination to travel" — simply not wanting to go — is not a covered cancellation reason. Cancellation cover requires a specific qualifying event that is outside your control. Some premium policies offer "cancel for any reason" (CFAR) cover as an upgrade, which provides partial reimbursement (typically 50–75%) for cancellations not covered by standard reasons. CFAR is not available on all policies and typically costs significantly more.
: Standard cancellation cover does not cover work commitments except in very limited circumstances — typically redundancy (compulsory, not voluntary). Being asked to attend a meeting, a project overrunning, or changing jobs is not a covered reason. If work-related cancellations are a realistic risk, look for a policy that explicitly includes this or consider a CFAR upgrade. See our travel insurance guide for what standard cancellation sections typically include.
: Airline-initiated cancellations are primarily covered by the airline under EC Regulation 261/2004 (for EU/UK flights) — re-routing or full refund. Travel insurance cancellation cover is for situations where you cancel the trip. If the airline cancels, claim first through the airline. Travel insurance may cover losses the airline does not — accommodation pre-booked separately, for example. See our article on the travel claims workshop for how to layer claims.
: Yes — but only for cancellation reasons that arise after the policy is taken out. If you booked and paid a deposit, then bought insurance, then suffered an illness that forced cancellation, the claim is valid. If the illness or event that caused cancellation existed before you bought the insurance, the claim will be declined. This is why buying travel insurance at the point of booking is so important — it maximises the period during which qualifying events can arise. For the pre-existing conditions angle, see our article on pre-existing conditions.