Traveling is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences in your life. It allows you to explore different cultures, traditions, places, history, and even discover more about yourself. The joys of travelling can open new dimensions of peace, while disruptions in these plans can create a perpetual sense of dissatisfaction.
Trip cancellations are essentially unforeseen events that prevent you from following through on your plans. They can arise due to a number of reasons including medical emergencies, natural disasters or personal crisis. When these unplanned and unwanted situations arise, trip cancellation coverage helps you deal with the financial setbacks. It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling solo with individual travel insurance or with a group with group travel insurance, trip cancellation coverage will help you recover non-refundable expenses.
What is travel insurance and what does it cover?
Domestic or international travel insurance is a financial contract in which you, as the policy holder, acquire financial safety while the insurer guarantees to provide support during unforeseen events. In India, the travel insurance policies are regulated by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, commonly known as IRDA. Under this governing presence, insurers ensure standardised coverage for domestic andinternational travel insurance plans designed for individual and groups alike.
The majority of comprehensive travel insurance policies in India offer the following benefits under the coverage:
Medical emergencies cover hospitalisation charges as well as medical treatments and emergency evacuation if you fall ill or suffer injuries during your trip.
Trip Cancellation and Trip Disruption reimburse you for prepaid and non-refundable expenses when your journey is delayed or cancelled due to extenuating circumstances.
Many renowned Indian travel insurance providers such as HDFC ERGO, ICICI Lombard, Bajaj Allianz, Tata AIG and others offer customised policies that cater to both individual and group travellers. You can avail of individual travel insurance plans if you’re travelling solo, or opt for group travel insurance when you travel with your colleagues, friends, family, and other people.
What is trip cancellation coverage?
The majority of coverage under domestic and international travel insurance plans deals with emergencies that you can neither foresee nor address without planning. Among them, trip cancellation coverage is a very specific component of travel insurance that reimburses you for prepaid, non-refundable expenses.
The following reasons are generally accepted as viable causes for trip cancellations coverage:
Medical emergencies
If you suddenly fall ill, incur injuries or need hospitalisation, you may cancel your trip. The insurer will help you by providing the necessary compensation for non-refundable charges such as hotel booking, flights, etc.
Death of a family member
If an immediate relative passes away before the trip or during, you may delay or cancel your trip for which the insurer will provide the necessary compensation.
Natural disasters
Unforeseeable and uncontrollable calamities such as floods, earthquakes, cyclones may affect your travel destination, thus disallowing you from continuing on your journey. In such cases, domestic or international travel insurance can provide reimbursement.
Terrorism and civil unrest
Certain issues may arise due to governmental disconcerns that affect certain regions. Such disturbances would prevent you from continuing on your journey, in which case your travel insurance plan will reimburse you the non-refundable amounts.
It is important to keep in mind that whether you choose individual travel insurance or group travel insurance, if the reasons for cancellation are not included in the contract, the insurer is not bound to pay. This could happen due to personal reasons, visa rejections, and unnecessary or spontaneous changes in travel plans that are not impacted by the terms and conditions of the contract.
How to file a claim for trip cancellation coverage in India?
Upon purchasing a group or individual travel insurance plan for domestic or international trips, you can rest assured that the insurer has your back when you suffer unprecedented setbacks. In such cases, you will need to file a claim against your domestic or international travel insurance for the trip cancellation coverage. Here are the steps that you need to follow:
Check the terms of your policy carefully and understand the terms and conditions related to trip cancellation. It will help you realise whether or not you are filing a legitimate claim, after which you can proceed with the next steps.
As soon as you suspect cancellation of your trip or extenuating circumstances that could result in cancellation, you must immediately inform your insurance provider. The majority of Indian insurers such as HDFC, Ergo, Bajaj Alliance and others offer 24/7 helplines and online portals where you can report the incident and file your claim.
You will need to gather a few necessary documents when submitting a claim form for trip cancellation, which are as follows:
Proof of trip cancellation via official communication from airlines, hotels and other operators involved in the tour.
Medical reports pertaining to the necessity to delay or cancel your trip, such as doctor’s certificate, hospital discharge summary, medical bills, etc.
Death certificate of the immediate relative who passed away, thus resulting in the trip cancellation.
Travel and payment receipts, such as copies of flight bookings, hotel reservations and other prepaid expenses for which you need reimbursement.
First incident report or FIR filed for theft, civil unrest or legal issues that led to trip cancellations.
Once you have all the documents handy, you must fill out the claim form online on the insurer’s portal or app. You must ensure absolute accuracy when filling out the form, especially about personal details, trip details, cancellation reasons, supporting documents and your domestic or international travel insurance ID.
You must submit the travel insurance trip cancellation coverage claim within the specified deadline. In India, this period is typically between 30 to 60 days of the trip cancellation. If you delay in filing the claim, it may be rejected.
After submitting the claim form with the necessary documents, you can keep track of its status by contacting the insurer’s customer support system. Typically, Indian insurers process claims within 2-4 weeks, depending on the complexity of the claim and the verification process.
Trip cancellation coverage can be immensely helpful, especially when you’re traveling internationally. Given the difference in currency, any delays and cancellation of your journey could result in massive unforeseen payments. This would be a cumbersome endeavour, but international travel insurance can bail you out of such situations.
Conclusion
Trip cancellation coverage in travel insurance is designed to provide financial relief when you are in an unknown land facing unforeseen disruptions. Understanding what is covered, the terms and conditions of the plan and following the correct claim process can help ensure a hassle-free experience.
It is important that you read the terms and conditions of the policy document carefully when purchasing group or individual travel insurance policies. It will enlighten you about the limitations and inclusions of your plan, thus allowing you to file legitimate claims. It is also crucial that you purchase your domestic or international travel insurance policy from an IRDAI-approved provider to guarantee necessary support in your time of need.
Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.