What is travel cancellation insurance?

You're looking forward to your holiday, which you've booked and paid for, but just a few days before departure you have an accident and break your leg... Since you're no longer able to go, you want your money back. Unfortunately, whatever the reason for your withdrawal, tourist organisations apply high cancellation charges, which can amount to the full price of the trip. So think about travel cancellation insurance to book your holiday with peace of mind and avoid being financially impacted if you run into unforeseen circumstances. Whether it's for a holiday, a rental or a flight, this type of insurance allows you to be reimbursed for the costs retained by the tour operator or the owner of your accommodation. Find out now how cancellation insurance works and the terms and conditions.

What is travel cancellation insurance and what is covered?

Travel cancellation insurance guarantees reimbursement of cancellation fees retained by tour operators and accommodation owners if an unforeseeable cause beyond your control forces you to cancel your holiday (in accordance with our General Terms and Conditions). This is included in all our options, including Comfort travel insurance.

Focus on trip cancellation costs

If you cancel a trip (rental, transport, package tour), your refund will vary according to the cancellation charges applied by the tour operator. Calculated according to a scale indicated in the general terms and conditions of sale, these charges may increase as the departure date approaches or even amount to 100% of the price paid. 

For example

• for a plane ticket, cancellation fees generally amount to 100% of the amount paid, from the date of reservation or issue of the ticket;
• for cruises, significant cancellation fees often start 90 days before departure;
• for holidays and rentals, the rules vary depending on the holiday rental organisation or the owner-lessor. However, they are often based on the scale below.  

According to this scale, cancellation fees correspond to :

• administration costs for cancellations made more than 30 days before departure; 
• 25% of the cost of the holiday between 30 and 21 days before departure;
• 50% of the cost of the holiday between 20 and 8 days before departure; 
• 75% of the cost of the holiday between 7 and 2 days before departure; 
• 90% of the cost of the holiday the day before departure. 

 >> Calculate your cancellation insurance premium now <<

Where can I take out cancellation insurance?

Cancellation insurance can be :  

• directly included in the price at the time of booking; 
• offered as an option by the tour operator; 
• included in the insurance policies of certain credit cards;
• taken out personally with an insurer such as Europ Assistance. 
   

Please note that travel cancellation insurance offered by a service provider or by payment card insurance often only covers certain reasons for cancellation and limited amounts.

Have you booked in advance and committed large sums? If so, you should take out travel cancellation insurance to cover your expenses, so that you don't suffer any major financial losses in the event of unforeseen circumstances. 

When should I take out cancellation insurance?

Cancellation insurance must be taken out on the day of purchase or, at the latest, on the date on which the late payment penalties come into force. Cover takes effect when the cancellation insurance contract is taken out, and then ceases when the holiday accommodation is vacated or occupied (except in the case of interruption).

 >> Calculate your cancellation insurance premium now <

Europ Assistance travel cancellation insurance

Europ Assistance's travel cancellation insurance covers many reasons for cancellation up to CHF 50,000 (Annual Comfort Insurance), as well as all justified causes (in accordance with our General Terms and Conditions). In addition, cancellation insurance in the event of infection by Covid-19 before departure or during the trip (in the event of interruption) will also be included in your Europ Assistance contract. This cover is necessary for all travellers wishing to book a trip to a country where entry is conditional on the presentation of a negative PCR test. 

What are the valid reasons for cancelling a trip?

The trip cancellation insurance included in Europ Assistance contracts comes into play in the event of illness, accident or death (including aggravation of previous illnesses and after-effects of a previous accident):  

• yourself, your spouse or one of the persons accompanying you (depending on the insurance chosen);
• your ascendants or descendants and/or those of your spouse or those of the person accompanying you;
• your brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law;
• your professional replacement; the person responsible, during your trip, for :
  • looking after your minor children;
  • looking after a disabled person living at home for whom you are the legal guardian.
• your dog or cat (thanks to the Dogs&Cats extension included in our Comfort options). 
   

Covid-19 cover is now included in Europ Assistance travel insurance.  

To book your holidays with peace of mind, think about trip cancellation insurance. Included in all Europ Assistance formulas, it protects you in the event of unforeseen circumstances and enables you to obtain reimbursement of the cancellation costs deducted from your travel services. 

 >> Calculate your cancellation insurance premium now <