Trip Cancellation Travel Insurance Plans
Learn how trip cancellation benefits may help protect Canadian travellers who need to unexpectedly change their plans
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At a glance
- Cancel with confidence: Trip cancellation travel insurance is included in all World Nomads plans for Canadian residents
- Protection for plans that change: You may be reimbursed for prepaid, non-refundable trip expenses if you need to cancel your trip for an unforeseen, covered event
- Multiple covered reasons: Several unexpected situations may be covered such as sickness, natural disasters, strikes, and more
- More flexibility, if you want it: An optional ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ upgrade may be available for the Explorer and Epic plans, and allows you to cancel your trip for any reason up to 48 hours before your departure date
- Why should you consider travel insurance for trip cancellation?
- Covered Reasons for Trip Cancellation
- Exclusions
- Trip Cancellation Maximum Limits
- How is the ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ travel insurance benefit different from ‘Trip Cancellation’ coverage?
- What you'll need to file a trip cancellation claim
- Traveller Tips
- FAQs
Why should you consider travel insurance for trip cancellation?
Even when you’ve meticulously planned out all of the details of your dream vacation, sometimes things happen that cause you to have to cancel your trip. What happens if you get sick before your vacation and your physician says you’re not well enough to travel? It’s painful enough to have to miss out on a foodie getaway to Italy or a safari through Africa, but it’s even worse to also lose all of the money that you’ve already paid toward your trip. With travel insurance with trip cancellation benefits, you may be reimbursed for the non-refundable, prepaid money you’ve spent for things like tours, transportation and hotel accommodations if you need to cancel for a covered reason.
Covered Reasons for Trip Cancellation
- Unexpected sickness or injury
- Death or sickness of immediate family member, travel companion, or business partner
- Travel advisories
- Job layoff or relocation
- Cancellation of previously approved vacation time by employer
- Call to military service
- Cancelled weddings
- Jury duty
- Airline delays that cause you to miss at least 30% of your trip
- Legal summons
- Felonious assault
- Financial default of your travel supplier
- Natural disasters
- Unannounced strikes
Exclusions
- Changing your mind about travelling
- Visas and passports that arrive late
- Events that are known before you buy your policy
- Events not listed as covered in your policy wording
- Epidemics and pandemics
- Pre-existing medical conditions that are excluded in the policy
Trip Cancellation Maximum Limits
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to $2,500 Get a quote |
Up to $10,000 Get a quote |
Up to $15,000 Get a quote |
Up to $10,000 Get a quote |
How is the ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ travel insurance benefit different from ‘Trip Cancellation’ coverage?
Trip cancellation insurance is included in all World Nomads single-trip and annual multi-trip travel insurance plans for Canadian residents. It gives you the opportunity to cancel your trip before you depart – but only for covered reasons.
‘Cancel for Any Reason’ coverage allows you to cancel for a wider range of reasons, though – even if you just change your mind. The ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ travel insurance benefit isn’t automatically included, but it’s an optional add-on you can select if you purchase the Epic or Explorer plan within 15 days of paying the first deposit on your trip. With ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ coverage, benefits may be paid for 50% of prepaid, non-refundable deposits and payments you made towards your cancelled trip (up to policy limits), as long as you cancel your trip at least 48 hours before the scheduled departure date listed on your policy certificate.
What you'll need to file a trip cancellation claim
Should something unexpected happen that causes you to cancel your trip for a covered reason, you must notify us by no later than the next business day when you become aware of a trip cancellation. You’ll also need to cancel your trip booking immediately.
You can then file a claim online. Depending on the reason for your cancellation, you’ll need to provide required documents that may include:
- Receipts and invoices
- Proof of payment for the trip such as cancelled cheques or credit card statements
- Copies of tour operator or common carrier cancellation policies
- Itineraries
- A statement from your physician
- Police reports
Traveller Tips
As travellers ourselves, we’ve felt the heartache of having to cancel trips. Here are a few of our personal travel tips that may help you avoid painful cancellations.
- If you have an option to book refundable airline tickets, hotels, and tours, do it even if it costs a little more.
- When you get a quote for trip cancellation travel insurance, read the policy documents and make sure you understand the covered reasons for cancellation.
- If you think you may want to cancel for any other reason, consider adding on the optional ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ travel insurance that’s available if you purchase the Epic or Explorer plan within 15 days of paying the first deposit on your trip.
- Sickness is a significant reason travellers have to cancel their trips, so do your best to stay healthy. According to data shared by the Canadian Government, 15,000 Canadians spend time in the hospital each year because of the flu. If you need to cancel your trip because of sickness, make sure you get documentation to prove that your doctor advised you not to travel.
- Save all of your receipts. Every. Single. One. Don’t wait until you’re trying to make a claim – it’s painful digging through old emails to find those. Once you start planning your trip, create a folder and save everything in one place.
- Check out the Canadian Transportation Agency’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations to see what is covered by various airlines. Many airlines will cover things such as meals, hotel accommodations and transportation if a cancellation is due to circumstances within their control.
- Always try to get reimbursement from your airline first if they cancel a flight. Your travel protection plan is considered secondary coverage, and your travel insurance benefits may kick in after you’ve exhausted any benefits from the source of your cancellation.
- Before you book your trip, do your research and check out the Canadian government’s safety warningsfor your destination before travelling. You can see if there are any natural disasters that your destination is prone to, such as volcanoes, flooding, tsunamis, wildfires, and more. This is also where they list any current travel advisories.
- As soon as you start planning an international trip, check the expiration date of your passport. If your passport is expired, or if you apply for one and don’t receive it in time, you won’t be able to make a trip cancellation insurance claim if you aren’t able to travel to your destination.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cancellation cover. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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Do all World Nomads plans include trip cancellation insurance benefits?
Yes, all single trip and annual multi-trip travel insurance plans for Canadian residents include trip cancellation insurance benefits. You may be reimbursed for prepaid, non-refundable expenses that you paid for in advance, but only if your situation is one of the cancellation reasons listed in your plan wording. Maximum limits vary by plan, and if you have any questions, you’re welcome to contact us.
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What does trip cancellation coverage include?
Trip cancellation is a benefit that reimburses you for unused, prepaid, non-refundable trip payments if you need to cancel for an unforeseen, covered event such as an illness, injury, a death in the family or an airline strike. Reimbursable costs may include things like airfare, train tickets, hotel rooms and/or tour expenses.
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What is the best travel insurance plan?
Only you can decide what the best travel insurance plan is for your particular needs. When you get a quote for travel insurance, you can compare the single trip and annual multi-trip plans side by side. Consider how much money you’ve spent on your trip, and review all of the plans to determine which is the best option for you. If you have questions about anything, you’re welcome to contact us and we can help explain the plans.
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Do I get my money back if I cancel a trip?
Trip cancellation coverage is offered by all single and annual multi-trip plans offered by World Nomads, and you could be reimbursed for unused, prepaid, non-refundable expenses like flights, tours and/or accommodations if your trip is cancelled for a covered reason (up to maximum benefits as shown in your policy documents).
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Does trip cancellation insurance cover sickness?
Medical emergencies are one of the most common reasons for trip cancellation. You may be covered if one or more of the following people develops a medical condition as certified by a physician, or dies:
- You or your travel companion
- Your or your travel companion’s immediate family member
- You or your travel companion’s caregiver
- You or your travel companion’s key employee
- Your or your travel companion’s business partner
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How do I file a claim if I need to cancel my trip?
Should something unexpected happen that causes you to cancel your trip for a covered reason, you must notify us by no later than the next business day when you become aware of a trip cancellation. You’ll also need to cancel your trip booking immediately. You can then file a claim online. Be sure to save all your trip receipts – you’ll need to show proof of those prepaid, non-refundable expenses when you submit a claim. Make sure you have documentation showing the reason for your cancelled trip as well. Depending on the reason for your cancellation, you’ll need to provide required documents that may include:
- Receipts and invoices
- Proof of payment for the trip such as cancelled cheques or credit card statements
- Copies of tour operator or common carrier cancellation policies
- Itineraries
- A statement from your physician
- Police reports
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Insurance protection for your hard earned vacation in the event of unexpected cancellation.
- Standard Plan: $2,500
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Epic Plan: $15,000
- AMT Plan: $10,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.
- Standard Plan: $250,000
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Epic Plan: $750,000
- Annual Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Gear & Baggage Protection
Coverage for the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
- Standard Plan: $1,000
- Explorer Plan: $2,000
- Epic Plan: $5,000
- Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
Protect your health
- Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
- Emergency Professional Services
- Return of Remains
- Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
Protect your trip
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
- Trip Exchange (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
- Rental Vehicle Damage (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
Protect your stuff
- Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
- Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
- Travel Documents Theft or Damage
- Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
- Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services
- 24/7 Worldwide Emergency Medical Assistance
- Worldwide Travel Assistance
- Personal Security Assistance
- Adventure Traveller’s Hotline
- Bag Trak
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.