Am I Covered by Travel Insurance if I Need to Cancel or Reschedule?

For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below. 

Am I covered if I need to cancel or reschedule my trip?

No one expects anything to go wrong before their trip begins, but pre-travel hiccups happen more often than you might think. If you need to delay, cancel or reschedule your trip due to a covered reason, you may be able to make a claim under your travel insurance* plan. 

What is trip cancellation insurance?

All World Nomads insurance plans include trip cancellation cover if you’ve cancelled for a covered reason. Some of these reasons include:

  • There’s been a death in your family.
  • You or your travel companion have developed a medical condition and your doctor has advised against traveling.
  • Your accommodations at your trip destination have become uninhabitable as the result of an unforeseen natural disaster.
  • You or your travel companion are required to serve on a jury or subpoenaed within 10 days of departure.
  • You or your travel companion are suffering a mental, nervous or psychological condition that requires hospitalization or partial hospitalization for at least 5 or more days before your scheduled trip.
  • An unannounced strike causes your common carrier to stop services for at least 24 hours.
  • A terrorist attack occurred within 30 days of your departure date, either at your departure point or destination.

Our Explorer and Epic insurance plans also offer optional add-on ‘cancel for any reason’ (CFAR) coverage if you purchase your plan within the time sensitive period. In this case, benefits may be paid for 50%-75% of prepaid and non-refundable deposits and payments you made towards your canceled trip for a wider range of reasons. Broke up with your partner? You can safely cancel your trip. Sick dog? You don’t have to go. Change your mind about traveling? There’s no judgment here.  

If you have to reschedule your trip because your tour operator has changed the dates, travelers who’ve purchased Explorer or Epic insurance plans may be eligible for trip exchange benefits. That means you may be reimbursed for any non-refundable costs related to details you have to rearrange, such as accommodation, bookings or flights.

Keep in mind that conditions apply and not every cancellation or trip exchange scenario is covered. Last-minute cancellations less than two days before departure, for example, aren’t covered. Compare the plans to see which one best suit your needs and get a quote.

What can I claim if I cancel my trip?

If you need to cancel for a covered reason (and you didn’t purchase CFAR), you may be able to be reimbursed for pre-paid, non-refundable travel arrangements that you didn’t use. These could include accommodations, flights and tours.

You’ll need to notify your travel suppliers and World Nomads within 72 hours and send the following documentation with your claim:

  • Proof of payment for your travel arrangements.
  • Proof of any refunds received or denials of compensation, such as from your airline or other transportation provider.
  • All unused air, rail, cruise, or other tickets.
  • For claims involving medical emergencies or death, a signed patient (or next of kin) authorization to release medical information and an attending physician’s statement.
  • Claims involving other reasons also require documentation such as police reports, a copy of the jury summons, etc.

Claims can be reimbursed only for trip expenses paid in cash, credit or check (deposits and payments made in vouchers or mileage points don’t qualify for coverage). 

What’s not covered if I cancel my trip? 

  • You’ve arranged travel already knowing of circumstances that could lead to the trip being disrupted or canceled.
  • A pre-existing medical condition(s), unless you purchased within the time sensitive period and have a waiver.
  • A travel visa or passport that is not issued in time for your trip due to your late application, delayed processing time or a previous refusal.
  • A natural disaster or any other event that was forecast or announced before the purchase of the plan.
*All information we provided here is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the plans described. Please carefully read your state specific plan documents for a full description of coverage. Travel insurance is included as part of your travel protection plan which contains both insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. Material included on this page does not represent, nor is it specific to, United States Fire Insurance Company or travel insurance benefits provided on United States Fire Insurance Company’s travel protection plans.

Was this article helpful to you?

I found this article to be helpful
No, this is not the info I need

Related Articles

View more

Can't find the answer you are looking for?

Contact us

Our contact details

We’re here to help if you have a question about travel insurance. We’re available:

  • 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Contact us

Phone

Within the USA & Canada toll free:
1-844-207-1930

From anywhere in the world, direct / collect:
+1-816-905-3963