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Travel Insurance for Trip Cancellation

Learn what's covered if you have booked and paid for your trip and unexpectedly need to cancel.

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If you’ve booked and paid for your trip and need to unexpectedly cancel, the last thing you want is to be out of pocket for non-refundable trip costs. World Nomads travel insurance plans offer coverage for your non-refundable, pre-paid travel arrangements, such as transportation and accommodation expenses if you need to cancel your trip for a covered reason. So, you’ll have one less thing to worry about and you can start saving for your next adventure instead.  

What is travel insurance trip cancellation coverage? 

If you must cancel your trip due to a covered reason, there's trip cancellation coverage in both our Standard and Explorer travel insurance plans. We cover your non-refundable prepaid trip costs (up to the maximum limit listed in the schedule of benefits) if you can't travel for a covered reason. 

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 that prohibits them from travelling, or dies: 

  • You or your travel companion 
  • Your or your travel companion’s immediate family member 
  • Your or your travel companion’s business partner. 

We know more than illness can stop you from travelling, so we also provide trip cancellation coverage in cases like these: 

  • The Canadian government issues a formal advisory against travel to a destination, country or region listed on your itinerary. The advisory must be issued after both the date you paid for non-refundable prepaid travel arrangements and after your policy effective date. Note there is no coverage if an advisory is issued due to an epidemic or pandemic. 
  • Your principal residence or destination residence is made uninhabitable by a natural disaster or unintentional act. 
  • You or your travelling companion are a victim of a felonious assault within 10 days prior to your trip start date. 
  • A strike stops all travel services at your departure point or destination. 
  • Your travel supplier files for bankruptcy or completely ceases operations more than 14 days after your policy purchase date and the loss incurred is not recoverable from any other source. 

It's important to note that trip cancellation coverage will not be available for an event or circumstance that is known before you purchase your travel insurance. Examples include, but are not limited to: an already-announced strike, an already-named hurricane and a pre-existing medical condition. 

When you get a quote, be sure to read through the policy to understand the coverage and what the limits are, and any conditions and exclusions that apply. If you have questions regarding the coverage, please contact us.  

What's not covered by travel insurance trip cancellation coverage? 

Travel insurance isn't designed to cover everything. Here are some things that are not covered by your World Nomads plan: 

Be prepared if you need to claim for trip cancellation

Depending on your trip cancellation claim, you'll need copies of: 

  • Receipts 
  • Itineraries 
  • Doctors/death certificates 
  • Medical history 
  • Written documentation from the travel provider of reason for cancellation and any refunds 

This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. It is important you read and understand your policy as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions and pre-existing condition exclusions. If you do not understand your coverage, or if you have questions about your coverage, just ask us. 

Wife's accident cancels Kilimanjaro.

I have to cancel my trip to Tanzania because my wife had an accident and she is waiting for a scan of her back. I should fly to Berlin tomorrow, then Bergen and day after to Africa. It is impossible now because she is alone in the house and I have to take her tomorrow to hospital for another scan. I paid 900 pounds for a Kilimanjaro Climb which is not refundable as it is too close to departure. I paid a deposit for a 3 day safari and had to cancel flights and my volunteer job.
Claim Paid: USD $1,536.33
S.Korpak. Norwegian Nomad.

FAQ

Here are our most frequently asked questions about buying travel insurance for cancellation. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask the customer service team.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.

  • Explorer Plan: $5,000
  • Standard Plan: $2,500
Trip Protection
  • Are you, your family sick, injured or deceased?
  • Strike at your departure or arrival point?
  • Official travel advisory warning not to travel?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

  • Explorer Plan: $10 million
  • Standard Plan: $5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?
  • Need prescription meds?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation

We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.

  • Explorer Plan: $500,000
  • Standard Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • You or a family member deceased?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Covers the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.

  • Explorer Plan: $3,000
  • Standard Plan: $1,000
Protect your gear
  • Passport or gear stolen?
  • Tech trashed?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Emergency Medical Expenses
  • Emergency Dental for Injury or Sickness
  • Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
  • Emergency Professional Services
  • Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
  • Return to Your Trip Destination
  • Return of Remains
  • Travel Accident
  • Flight Accident
  • Trip Cancellation
  • Trip Interruption
  • Trip Delay
  • 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 Included
  • LiveTravelTM Emergency Assistance
  • Worldwide Travel Assistance
  • Adventure Travel Hotline
  • 24/7 Security
  • Travel Medical Assistance
  • Bag Trak
This is a general summary for Canadian residents only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Coverage may not be available for residents of all provinces. Check the Travel Insurance Policy for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.

Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?

Telephone +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.) or +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)

Contact the team