How to Use Travel Insurance to Cancel a Flight - NerdWallet (2024)

FAQs

How does travel insurance work for cancelled flights? ›

Comprehensive travel insurance typically covers canceled flights that delay your trip for at least 3–12 hours. If your flight is delayed more than 12 hours, you may even qualify for trip cancellation coverage, depending on your plan.

Can I cancel my flight with travel insurance? In many cases, yes, you can cancel your flight and be reimbursed if you have an eligible reason for canceling. You may not cancel the flight because you've changed your mind. You must have a valid reason that is detailed in your travel insurance policy.

Cancellation generally covers you for the cost of cancelled flights, hotels, visas, tours/excursions, paid-for activities or sports, and prepaid meals, less applicable excess. This is all assuming that the expenses cannot reasonably be recovered from any source.

“Cancel for any reason” travel insurance allows you to cancel your trip for any reason up to two days prior to your scheduled departure. Depending on your plan, you'll be reimbursed up to 50% or 75% of the insured prepaid, nonrefundable trip cost.

If your travel insurance policy has a money-back guarantee or review period, you can cancel for any reason and receive a full refund within the timeframe if you haven't filed a claim or departed for your trip yet. But you won't get a premium refund if you cancel your policy after the review period.

Although every airline has a different policy, many airlines will allow you to cancel flight tickets within 24 hours and give you a refund, even if you've bought a non-refundable airline ticket. If you've bought an airline ticket and want to cancel it on the same day, you can do so easily via 'Manage my booking'.

Answer: Cancel For Any Reason is an optional benefit that if selected, can allow a portion (typically 50-75%) of your insured pre-paid non-refundable trip cost if you need to cancel your trip at least two days prior to departure. Cancel For Any Reason is an optional, time sensitive benefit available on some plans.

Travel protection focuses primarily on trip cancellation and gives limited protection for unforeseen circ*mstances that may cause you to cancel or interrupt your trip. Travel insurance supplies broader coverage, protecting against a wider range of possible financial losses during your travels.

Is it better to cancel flight or not show up? ›

Is it better to cancel a flight or be a no-show? If you know you can't make a scheduled flight, it's better to cancel your flight rather than be a no-show. If you cancel, you might receive a partial or whole credit for the fare purchased, to be applied to a future flight.

Airlines reserve the right to waive off any applicable penalties at their discretion. If you would like to cancel your flight due to medical reasons, please contact the airline directly with a copy of your medical certificate requesting them to waive any applicable cancellation fees.

Documentation: Typically, if you need to cancel your trip due to a medical reason, you'll need to provide documentation from a qualified medical practitioner confirming the necessity to cancel the trip. This could include a doctor's note or medical records.

If your flight gets cancelled by the airline, you are entitled to receive either a full ticket refund or a new flight. If the flight is cancelled after you have already arrived at the airport, you are also entitled to care.

Travel insurance can provide coverage for your prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses. If your flight is taking off and/or landing at a U.S. airport and is canceled (domestic or international flight), you're covered by the rules put in place by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).