Cancellation and disruption cover is what pays when a trip cannot go ahead, or is cut short, through no fault of your own. It is one of the most used parts of travel insurance, and the detail in the wording matters.
Cancellation
Cancellation cover repays pre paid, non refundable costs if you cannot travel for a reason covered by the policy, such as illness, bereavement or jury service. It usually applies from the moment you buy the policy. Our guide to reading your policy shows the covered reasons and limits.
Disruption and curtailment
Disruption cover pays for extra costs if your transport is delayed or cancelled, and curtailment pays if you have to cut the trip short and come home. Strikes, weather and airline failure are common triggers, though each policy defines them differently.
What is not covered
Claims arising from events you knew about when booking, or from a vague worry about travelling, are typically excluded. Our explainer on exclusions covers the boundaries, and our guide to complaining sets out the route if a claim is rejected.