trip curtailment meaning

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What is Curtailment?

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The term curtailment is widely used within travel insurance policies, but how many of us actually understand what it means?

Although we don’t like to think about it, sometimes the worst can happen and you may find yourself cutting short your holiday and returning home early. ending your trip before your original return date can mean you are at a financial loss and decide to claim back expenses on your travel insurance – this would be classed as curtailment., what does curtailment cover me for.

So now we understand what curtailment means, it’s worth looking into the different circumstances curtailment will cover you for as this will differ between policies – so be sure to check policy wording carefully.

Generally speaking cover for curtailment entitles you to claim back a pro-rata refund of any pre-paid accommodation, car hire or holiday excursions you will no longer be able to use following your return home. Under some policies curtailment will also cover reasonable travel expenses you’ve had to pay on your return journey unless travel has been arranged for you by your travel insurer.

It is important to note most travel insurance policies will state you can only claim for curtailment under specific circumstances. These usually include;

• You or a member of your party becoming ill or sustaining an injury while on holiday.
• The death, injury or illness of a close relative at home.
• You or a member of your party have been required for jury service.
• News of your home being left uninhabitable (following a burglary, fire or flooding).

Even if curtailment is covered as standard there will be certain restrictions and exclusions, depending on the policy type and cover. For example; not all travel insurance policies will cover for curtailment due to existing medical conditions of non-travelling close relatives or if an act of terrorism was to occur during your trip. Postcard Travel Insurance is amongst very few in the industry that will offer curtailment cover if a close-relative with an existing medical condition becomes ill whilst you are away – provided their condition was completely stable and well controlled before you booked the trip.

Do I need Curtailment in my policy?

Everything’s unpacked, you’ve got your sunglasses on and you’re heading down to the beach to enjoy a well-deserved break, what could possibly go wrong?

Unfortunately, as much as we try to prevent unforeseen circumstances from happening sometimes they are unavoidable – this is why we take out travel insurance and although medical expenses and cancellation is considered to be essential, we should not be overlooking curtailment cover.

Without curtailment cover returning home can be a lengthy, not to mention costly, process.

Is Curtailment covered in my policy as standard?

Many travel insurance policies cover curtailment as standard, however, this may not always be the case; to ensure cover is provided we suggest checking your policy wording before making a purchase.

If you are planning a last-minute holiday you may opt for a policy without cancellation as it is unlikely anything unforeseen will happen in the short time before you travel but be aware – choosing a policy without cancellation could mean you are losing the curtailment cover too!

As some travel insurance policies can be fairly restrictive, it is worth bearing in mind there are a few travel insurers that will offer cover for curtailment for any cause outside of your reasonable control.

Another reason to curtail a holiday is if a terror attack takes place within close proximity to your accommodation. Postcard Travel Insurance, again, is one of few travel insurers that will offer to cover the cost of cancellation or curtailment if your flight or accommodation has been affected by an act of terrorism. Continue reading about terrorism cover here .

How does Curtailment cover affect my insurance premium?

No one wants to be paying over the top for their travel insurance, but the cheapest isn’t always the best policy to suit your travel needs.

When shopping for your travel insurance you will find many companies offer a range of cover levels to suit every holiday and budget; with most covering medical expenses, cancellation and curtailment as standard. We recommend you select a policy which will cover the entire cost of your holiday as some companies will refuse a claim if the policy hasn’t got enough cover for the full cost of the holiday.

Adding cover for curtailment if it isn’t included as standard is likely to incur an additional premium but it may be worth paying a little extra now so you don’t have to later!

How does Curtailment work when it comes to making a claim?

If your policy covers curtailment your travel insurance company will be able to assess a pro-rata refund of any accommodation, car hire and excursions that you have paid for prior to travelling and not been able to use following your return home. For example, if you had a 10-day holiday and came home after 5 days the insurer would refund you for the five days accommodation you could not use.

Your travel insurance policy will pay for any reasonable additional cost of coming home.

So, if you had you buy a new ticket you could claim this back from the insurer. However, if the insurer paid for the new tickets then you would not be able to claim anything. This is because travel insurance policies work on what is called the ‘principle of indemnity’ which means that the policy puts you in the same position after the claim as you were before it. Simply put, because the insurers had paid for you to return home you had not incurred any additional costs.

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What does ‘curtailment’ mean in travel insurance?

• Post author By Compare Insurance
• Post date 9th February 2022

When you go on holiday, you never like to think that the worst-case scenario will come to pass. Sometimes, however, it does, and you may need to cut short your holiday plans to return home, potentially losing a small fortune as a result. When you take out a travel insurance policy, the vast majority of them will include something called a ‘curtailment’ clause which covers you for certain insured events which might force you to cut your holiday short.

What might curtailment cover?

You need to read the small print of your insurance policy very carefully to see what the curtailment clause might cover. On the whole, they will see you receive a pro-rata refund on any pre-booked accommodation, excursions or vehicle hire you’ve arranged as part of your holiday, should certain unavoidable life events occur while you’re on vacation.

These insured events might include you or a member of your party becoming ill or being injured whilst on holiday, or the death, injury or serious illness of a family member at home. Other reasons may include your compulsory call up for jury service, a terrorist attack on your holiday destination or your home being made uninhabitable by something like a fire, flood or serious burglary.

What can you claim?

Every travel insurance firm will have different curtailment clauses, so you need to scrutinise exactly what yours will cover you for. Most will make sure you are refunded for any hotel bills or self-catering accommodation you cannot use because your holiday has been cut short. Some will also grant you pro-rata refunds on car hire or for any pre-arranged excursions and trips out that you won’t be able to take up.

Taking out a travel insurance policy with a curtailment clause gives you peace of mind when you go on holiday, and knowing you’re covered for unforeseen and deeply traumatic incidents can be a great comfort. If the worst happens, there is a safety net in place to make sure your return home is as smooth, stress-free and straightforward as possible, so you’re not left out of pocket.

For more information on the holiday insurance cover  offered by Compare Insurance, simply visit our main website or get in touch today.

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What is Curtailment?

Navigating travel's unexpected turns.

Tommy has over 15 years experience within the insurance industry, and his primary focus is helping travellers find the right cover for their medical conditions.

Travel is a voyage. A narrative often full of singular experiences, thrilling sensations, and those moments where time itself appears to suspend. Alas, just like any story, travel also includes unexpected plot twists that can change the course of your adventure.

One of these less glamorous yet critically important topics is the concept of curtailment in the context of your travels. Amidst the thrill of planning and packing, the spare shoes and extra sunblock, what provisions have you made for the untold nuances of your tale?

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What Does ‘Curtailment’ Mean?

Imagine this: you're midway through your dream holiday, sipping a frosty beverage in an exotic destination when suddenly a family emergency calls for an immediate return. This unplanned trip interruption is referred to in the insurance industry as curtailment. Curtailment essentially means the sudden end to your trip, typically due to a critical event that demands your presence back home.

Although it’s not something we want to imagine, sometimes a situation will arise where you’ll need to head home prematurely from your holiday. Curtailment happens for reasons beyond your control, and as well as meaning you get less time than you imagined on your holiday, it’s also likely to cost you money.

Most insurance policies will cover you for curtailment; however, it’s something you should always check before taking out your cover. If you do have to cut short your trip due to an unfortunate reason, losing money because of this can add to your upset and frustration.

LEARN MORE:  Travel Insurance Glossary and Jargon Buster

Why Would Someone have to Cut their Holiday Short?

There are a multitude of reasons why an individual might find themselves in a situation where they have to unexpectedly shorten their holiday, a scenario that could unfold for either themselves or their fellow traveller. This unexpected turn of events could stem from various factors such as sudden work commitments, family emergencies, or unforeseen health issues that disrupt the planned holiday experience.

Some of the common reasons include:-

• A member of your party falling ill or getting injured
• A family member at home falling ill, getting injured, or passing away
• A business partner or associate at home falling ill, getting injured, or passing away
• A member of your party having their passport stolen or losing it
• A member of your party being summoned to court or jury duty
• A member of your party being called to duty as a part of their role in the armed services, emergency services, or governmental services
• A member of your party’s home becoming uninhabitable through burglary, flooding, fire, etc

The above are all valid reasons to cut a holiday short, and for those with curtailment travel insurance, you’ll likely be protected for them all. You should always make a point of checking your policy wording before travelling, and should you need to cut your trip short, you can speak to your provider to discuss your specific circumstances.

What Are the Impacts of Curtailment?

The consequences of curtailment are far-reaching, affecting more than just your immediate travel plans. Initially, there's the financial aspect—having to book last-minute flights home often comes with a hefty price tag, not to mention the potential loss of the remaining part of your hotel bookings, organised tours, and other prepaid expenses. It's a sudden and unexpected outlay that can significantly impact your budget.

On a personal level, curtailing your holiday can bring an emotional toll. The disappointment of cutting a dream trip short, coupled with the stress of arranging travel at short notice and the underlying reason prompting the return, can be draining. This emotional upheaval can linger, impacting both your well-being and your view of future travels.

Furthermore, the logistical challenges of organising an abrupt return home can be daunting. From navigating foreign healthcare systems, if the curtailment is due to illness or injury, to dealing with bureaucracy in the case of lost or stolen documents, each scenario presents its own set of hurdles.

Despite these challenges, understanding the potential impact of curtailment and preparing for such eventualities can ease the process considerably. This involves choosing the right travel insurance with adequate cover for curtailment and being aware of the support services your insurance provider offers, so you can focus on resolving the situation with as little additional stress as possible.

How can I Prepare Against Curtailment?

Preparing for the possibility of curtailment is akin to packing a first aid kit—you hope you won't have to use it, but it's reassuring to have it just in case. Being prepared can alleviate some of the stress and financial strain that accompanies the need to cut your holiday short. Here are some friendly and approachable tips to keep in mind:

• Choose a Comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy: When purchasing travel insurance, ensure it includes cover for curtailment for a wide range of reasons. Read the fine print and understand what is and isn't covered.
• Keep Essential Documents Handy: Make digital copies of all your important documents, such as your passport, insurance policy, and emergency contacts. Keeping these accessible on your phone or in a cloud storage service means you can act quickly if needed.
• Stay Informed: Keep abreast of any potential disruptions, be it natural disasters, political unrest, or health advisories, for your destination. Government travel advisories and news outlets are reliable sources of information.
• Have a Contingency Fund: Set aside a portion of your travel budget as a contingency fund. This can be used to cover unexpected expenses, like a last-minute flight home, should you need to curtail your trip.
• Know Your Rights and Options: Familiarise yourself with the cancellation policies of your accommodations, flights, and any pre-booked activities. Knowing how to swiftly cancel or reschedule these can save time and money.
• Emergency Contacts List: Create a list of emergency contacts, including your travel insurance provider, local embassy, and personal contacts back home. Having these numbers easily accessible can expedite getting the help you need.

By taking these steps, you can mitigate the impacts of curtailment should it occur, allowing you to focus on the situation at hand rather than the logistics of an unplanned return. Remember, the goal is to minimise disruptions and ensure you’re covered for various eventualities, providing peace of mind while you're off exploring the world.

What Isn’t Covered by Curtailment Travel Insurance?

Just as there are a range of reasons you may cut your holiday short that are covered by insurance, there are also some reasons that you might not be able to claim on your insurance. These include:

• The reason you cut your trip short being apparent whilst booking, for example, a pre-planned court appearance
• The illness or injury you’re experiencing is caused by being under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• The illness or injury you’re experiencing being apparent whilst booking and not declared on your policy
• You’re choosing to cut the trip short simply because you no longer want to continue it

These are all reasons you might cut your trip short. However, they’re much less likely to be covered by your travel insurance policy, so you’re unlikely to be able to claim your extra travel expenses back.

For those who are travelling and have a pre-existing medical condition, you’ll be pleased to know that you can get specialised cover that will take your illness into account. We compare quotes from the best insurance providers so that you can enjoy the best  medical travel insurance in the UK  for your needs. This protection will help not only with curtailment if your illness should mean you need to go home but medical expenses abroad and more.

Is Curtailment Different to Cancellation?

Many travellers find themselves pondering the differences between curtailing a holiday and outright cancelling it. In essence, the two are fundamentally different but equally important concepts within the realm of travel insurance.

Curtailment refers to the act of cutting your trip short after it has begun, necessitating an earlier return to your home country. This could be triggered by unforeseen circumstances such as illness, injury, or even the need to return for a family emergency. Curtailment coverage in your travel insurance helps to recoup some of the costs associated with the unused portion of your trip and the often expensive, last-minute arrangements needed to get you home.

Cancellation , on the other hand, occurs before your trip has started. If you need to cancel your holiday entirely due to unexpected events — such as a personal health issue, a family bereavement, or significant disruptions affecting your travels — cancellation cover can help you recover pre-paid expenses, like flights and accommodation, that are non-refundable.

Understanding the distinction between these two scenarios is crucial when selecting a travel insurance policy. It ensures that you're adequately protected against the unpredictability of life, allowing you to book your travels with confidence and peace of mind.

 LEARN MORE:  Do You Need Holiday Cancellation Cover?

What can you Claim for if you have to Curtail Your Holiday?

When the unforeseen happens, and you find yourself needing to cut your holiday short, understanding what you're entitled to claim can be a beacon of hope. Curtailment cover as part of your travel insurance policy serves as a safety net for recovering some of the costs associated with the unforeseen early end of your trip. Here are some of the costs you might be able to claim:

• Unused Accommodation: You can claim for the nights you won’t be spending in your holiday accommodation, as long as these are prepaid and non-refundable.
• Prepaid Excursions and Activities: If you had any activities or excursions booked and paid for, which you can no longer attend due to curtailing your holiday, these costs can typically be claimed back.
• Additional Travel Expenses: Should you need to book a last-minute flight or other travel arrangements to return home, these costs can also be included in your claim, subject to the terms of your policy.
• Unused, Non-Refundable Transport Costs: For parts of your planned travel (like internal flights, train tickets, or car hires) that you're unable to use due to the curtailment, you may be eligible for reimbursement.

Remember, specifically what you can claim will depend on the terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy. It’s crucial to read these carefully to understand the extent of your cover. Additionally, keeping all receipts and acquiring documentation to support the reason for your curtailment will greatly assist in the claims process. Being prepared and understanding your cover can make all the difference, providing that much-needed peace of mind during what can be a stressful time.

How Do I Claim for Curtailment?

If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of having to curtail your holiday, knowing the steps to make a claim can significantly ease the process. Here’s a friendly guide to help you through:

• Contact Your Insurance Provider Promptly: Ideally, you should inform your insurer as soon as possible. Many have dedicated 24/7 helplines for such situations. This not only helps in getting immediate advice but also ensures you're following the correct procedure as outlined by your policy.
• Gather All Necessary Documentation: This includes evidence of the reason for your curtailment (such as a medical certificate for illness), receipts for any additional expenses incurred, as well as documentation related to your unused accommodations and prepaid activities.
• Complete the Claims Form: Your insurer will provide you with a claims form, either electronically or in paper form. Fill this out with all the necessary details and double-check for accuracy to avoid any delays.
• Submit Your Claim: Along with the completed claims form, submit all the supporting documents to your insurance provider. This can often be done via email or post, depending on the insurer's requirements.
• Follow-Up: If you haven’t received an acknowledgment of your claim within a reasonable timeframe, don’t hesitate to follow up with your insurer. They can update you on the progress and inform you if additional information is needed.
• Be Patient: Once everything is submitted, the claims process can take some time as your insurer reviews the details and verifies the claim. They will then inform you of the outcome and, if successful, will advise on how the reimbursement will be made.

Remember, the key to a smooth claims process is to be prepared and have all your documentation ready. If in doubt, it's always a good idea to reach out to your insurer for guidance. They're there to help and can provide valuable assistance in ensuring your claim is processed efficiently.

Curtailment may not be on the forefront of your travel checklist, but its understanding and management belong there just as much as booking your flights or packing a first aid kit. By acknowledging the potential for changing plans and equipping yourself with the knowledge, resources, and strategies to address such an occurrence, you empower your travel experience with resilience and adaptability.

Curtailing your trip is not the end of the story; it's simply an unexpected plot twist that requires you to rewrite a chapter or two. Let's share wisdom and friendship with fellow travel lovers, building a community that cherishes not only the great adventures but also the resilience to carry on through the unknown.

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A pre-existing is any medical condition for which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received before applying for a travel insurance policy. For some conditions, we'll need to know if they have ever been present, whilst for others if they occurred within a certain period.

A pre-existing condition is a diagnosed medical condition that existed before taking out a policy. We'll ask a series of questions about the medical history for you and any travellers on your quote. If you answer yes to any of these, you will need to tell us about the traveller's conditions. This could be a condition that a traveller has now or has had in the past. If you are not sure what conditions you need to declare, we have online support available to help you 24/7!

You can visit our help centre on Claims which may help. However, if you need to make a claim, full details of what you need to do to make a claim will be detailed in the Policy Wording provided to you by your insurance provider. 

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What does trip curtailment mean and how does it cover my family members and/or pet?

Trip curtailment refers to the act of cutting short a planned trip due to unforeseen circumstances.

Let’s say you have been planning for a two-week vacation to Hawaii for months, and have paid for all your flights, accommodations, and excursions (activities) in advance. However, on the sixth day of your trip, you receive news that a family member (or pet is seriously ill and you need to return home immediately.

If you have purchased travel insurance that includes trip curtailment coverage, you can file a claim for the unused portion of your trip, such as the remaining cost of accommodations and activities. This gives you the peace of mind to be there with your family during this difficult time without the added financial burden of your cut-short vacation.

Policy terms and conditions apply.

For the full policy coverage, please refer to Oyen Travel Insurance's policy wording .

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Trip Interruption Insurance Explained

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Table of Contents

What is trip interruption insurance?

What does trip interruption insurance cover, what is not covered by trip interruption insurance, how much does trip interruption insurance cost, what's the difference between trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance, trip delay vs. trip interruption coverage, how do i get trip interruption insurance, which insurance coverage is best for me.

Trip insurance is an important consideration if you plan on traveling, and understanding the difference between plan benefits is crucial. Some benefits protect you before your trip begins, such as trip cancellation, while others offer coverage during your travels like trip interruption.

Trip interruption insurance will reimburse the unused portion of your trip if it has already begun and an unexpected incident forces you to return home early. This post-departure benefit is particularly useful when booking expensive trips. Here’s what you need to know about trip interruption insurance and how to get it.

If you miss a portion of your trip due to a covered reason, you can use trip interruption benefits to get reimbursed for any unused, prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses, such as hotel nights or excursion bookings. You may also be reimbursed for additional charges such as booking a new flight home, additional hotel nights and airport taxi fare. Importantly, trip interruption also applies if your trip is cut short due to a covered COVID-related medical reason .

Because trip interruption insurance kicks in after your trip has begun, it's considered a post-departure benefit. A list of valid reasons for coverage are stated in each policy, but they are usually extraordinary and unforeseen circumstances. For example: illness, injury, the death of the traveler or traveling companion, severe weather, terrorist action, job loss, etc.

Many comprehensive travel insurance plans and some premium travel credit cards offer trip interruption insurance. Depending on the policy, the coverage can range from 100% to 200% of the total trip cost, be capped at a predetermined dollar amount or purchased as an optional add-on.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

Imagine you go on a $5,000, two-week hiking trip to Bariloche, Argentina, and on the third day of the trip, you fall and hurt your ankle. You go to a local hospital and the doctor tells you that it's sprained and advises you to stay off your feet and not do any hiking. After a few days of taking it easy, the pain becomes worse and you decide to cut your trip short and head home for X-rays and an appointment with a specialist.

If you have trip interruption insurance, you will be reimbursed for the unused, prepaid, nonrefundable hotel stay, your original return flight, the cost of new airplane tickets to return home early and additional transportation expenses such as a taxi to the airport and from your return airport home. The reason for the interruption is considered covered since you’ve sustained a serious injury that prevents your continued participation in the trip. You will need to notify the insurer of the incident within a specified time frame (which will be stated in the policy) and follow the protocol to ensure you receive reimbursement.

Using the Argentina trip example above, if your policy reimburses up to 200% of the trip cost, the benefit payable to you can be up to $10,000. The percentage can be above 100% to account for extra costs that a policyholder may incur to return home. Generally, the reimbursement of your return transportation cannot exceed the cost of economy plane tickets (or the same airfare class as the original ticket), and will be reduced by the amount of any refunds already received from the airline and must usually be the most direct route.

If you don’t have trip interruption insurance, you’ll be at the mercy of the hotel when trying to negotiate a refund for the unused portion of your hotel stay. You would also be liable for the additional costs to get home (a new flight, change fees, and transportation to the airport and from the airport to your home). So, if a last-minute flight home costs $1,000, you’d have to absorb that entire amount.

If you plan on traveling during the ongoing pandemic, ensure that you find a policy that offers COVID-19 coverage .

» Learn more: What kinds of trips should you protect with travel insurance?

Not every reason for interrupting your trip qualifies as a covered reason. Losses sustained due to intentional acts (such as self-harm), pregnancy or childbirth, mountain climbing, war, illegal acts, drug use, and trips taken against the advice of a physician will not be covered. Other exclusions may apply; check your policy for specifics.

Some policies also exclude pre-existing conditions that have occurred within a specified time frame prior to departure. The list of exclusions can vary based on the insurer and the state you live in, so you’ll need to check your policy's fine print to ensure you’re aware of what is and isn’t covered.

» Learn more: The majority of Americans plan to travel in 2022

Trip interruption coverage is usually included within comprehensive travel insurance plans.

Using the same $5,000, two-week trip to Argentina, a search of policies on travel insurance broker SquareMouth (a NerdWallet partner) ranged from $115 to $361, representing 2.3% to 7.2% of the total trip cost. The coverage ranged from 100% to 200% of the trip cost, and some of the lower-priced plans offered coverage in excess of 100%. The more expensive plans usually offered higher limits on medical expenses and evacuation.

If you have a premium travel credit card that offers trip interruption insurance, this coverage is provided free of charge as long as the trip is purchased with the applicable credit card.

Trip cancellation coverage applies in situations where you cancel your trip before it starts. If you haven't left yet, and you have to scrap your plans for a covered reason (such as an injury or illness), you can get some or all of your trip expenses reimbursed through trip cancellation coverage.

Trip interruption insurance, on the other hand, is about when something happens during your trip. Let's say you're on a trip and you suddenly have to get home to deal with a death or injury in the family. Trip interruption insurance will cover this situation, recompensing some or all of the remaining expenses in the trip.

Trip delay insurance covers situations where your trip is delayed, such as when an airline bumps your flight to a later date (which may entitle you to additional flight delay compensation ). The expenses accrued from a delay, such as rebooking fees for hotel rooms, will be covered by trip delay insurance.

Trip interruption insurance, meanwhile, only applies if something happens that makes you cancel the remainder of your plans altogether — rather than just having them delayed.

In general, trip delay insurance will apply when your transportation goes awry. Trip interruption coverage applies when something else (like a medical emergency ) affects your trip.

The two most common ways to get trip interruption coverage are by buying a travel insurance policy or applying for a premium travel credit card that has trip insurance benefits.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and many other American Express cards provide up to $10,000 per trip ($20,000 per year) in trip interruption benefits. Terms apply. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® will also reimburse you or your immediate family members up to $10,000 in losses per trip interruption.

These premium cards also include other insurance benefits like trip cancellation, trip delay , emergency assistance and more. If you frequently purchase trip protection benefits, applying for one of the cards that offer travel insurance could make a lot of sense. All these cards offer a multitude of useful travel benefits and various statement credits that will usually offset at least part of the annual fee.

If you’re going on a trip that is more expensive than the limit provided by the credit card, purchasing a separate travel insurance policy is a good bet. Also check that your credit card will cover COVID-related claims before you decide to forego a separate policy.

If you’re going on an expensive trip, getting a travel insurance plan that includes trip interruption coverage makes a lot of sense. If the trip is relatively inexpensive or you already have coverage through your credit card, you may not need to purchase a trip insurance coverage.

However, if you’re looking for additional coverage like travel medical insurance , Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) and/or your credit card doesn’t have sufficient limits, consider a comprehensive travel insurance policy from providers such as AAA , Allianz , or AIG .

In some cases, purchasing travel insurance may not be necessary . So familiarize yourself with all available options before you decide whether or not you should purchase a policy.

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Trip Delay, Trip Interruption and Trip Cancellation Insurance Explained

What does trip delay insurance cover?

The travel delay  benefit helps you get through short(ish), unexpected pauses in your travel plans. It can reimburse you for lost pre-paid expenses as well as eligible costs you incur because of the delay, including meals, accommodations, communication and transportation. Note that for such an event to be considered a delay, it must last for the minimum time stated in your plan. Also, the delay must have been caused by a covered reason as listed in your plan, such as a travel carrier delay or lost travel documents.

How does trip delay insurance work in real life? Let’s say your 6 p.m. flight to Orlando is grounded due to a storm, and the next available flight doesn’t leave until 9 a.m. the next morning. Here’s what trip delay insurance may cover:

• Your dinner and breakfast
• Your hotel room for the night
• Your cab ride to the hotel from the airport and back
• The cost of the hotel room you had booked for your first night in Orlando (if the hotel won’t refund your money)

There are limits, of course: travel delay benefits reimburse reasonable expenses up to the limit shown on your letter of confirmation, for example $200/day. Don’t expect your travel insurance to pay for a lavish sushi dinner and a stay at the Ritz-Carlton.

But wait: Why do you even need travel insurance for this scenario? Aren’t airlines supposed to pay for your hotel room and meals if your flight is delayed? Not necessarily.

Most U.S. airlines have agreed to provide travelers with a hotel voucher and/or meal voucher when they experience a controllable flight cancellation or delay of a certain length. A controllable delay/cancellation is one that was caused by a reason within the airline’s control, such as a crew shortage or a mechanical issue. If the delay/cancellation is caused by a reason out of the airline’s control, they’re not obligated to offer you anything other than a refund (if you choose not to fly) or a seat on a different flight. That’s why you need travel insurance!

What does trip interruption insurance cover?

A  trip interruption  occurs when a traveler must unexpectedly cut short their trip and return home. Additionally, interruption can cause you to stay at your destination longer than originally planned (not always a bad thing, right?) Trip interruption insurance can refund lost prepaid costs, minus any available refunds and up to the maximum benefit amount, and cover the cost of your extra accommodations and/or your trip home.

Trip interruption benefits only apply if the interruption is caused by a covered reason. Allianz Travel Insurance plans list many covered reasons for interrupting or canceling your trip. Some common covered reasons include the serious covered illness or injury of the traveler, traveling companion or a family member; a natural disaster that renders your home or your destination uninhabitable; and the cessation of services by your airline, cruise line or other carrier, causing you to miss more than half your trip.

Trip interruption insurance is essential for those travel emergencies you just can’t predict. Imagine you’re in the middle of a week-long  safari in the Serengeti  when you receive word that your mom has been hospitalized with pneumonia. You need to return home ASAP! With the help of the travel experts on our 24-hour assistance team, you can get on the first available flight out of Kilimanjaro and travel back to the U.S. Trip interruption insurance can help cover the cost of the flight and reimburse you for the unused portion of your safari.

One key condition to keep in mind with trip interruption is that, in order to take full advantage of the benefit, you need to inform all your travel suppliers (hotels, tour operators, etc.) within 72 hours of finding out your trip will be interrupted. So, in the heat of the moment, be sure to keep your cool and communicate your change of plans as needed.

What does trip cancellation insurance cover?

Trip cancellation  insurance covers situations when you must cancel your trip before you leave for a covered reason (generally, the same covered reasons that apply to trip interruption coverage.) Trip cancellation benefits can refund the prepaid, nonrefundable costs of your trip, such as airfare, cruise tickets, tour bookings and hotel reservations. Plus, if you prepaid for shared accommodations, and your travel companion needs to cancel their trip for a covered reason, you can be reimbursed additional accommodation fees, which is huge if you’re taking a cruise.

Similar to trip interruption, the 72-hour notification rule applies here as well. So be sure to let your airline, tour operator, cruise line and others know about the trip cancellation in a timely fashion.

What else should you know when your trip doesn't go as planned?

It’s possible for a trip delay to turn into a trip interruption if you’ve lost more than half the total length of your trip scheduled trip length due to a covered travel delay. Let’s say you’re about to about to leave for a five-day Caribbean cruise, but a blizzard grounds your Miami-bound plane for two days. By the time you get to Florida, your ship is long gone, and you can’t find a flight to its next port of call. You may be able to make a trip interruption claim.

Just remember that when your trip is delayed or interrupted, you need to do everything you can to continue your scheduled plans. Try to catch up with your cruise ship or tour group (our hotline staff can help). Document your efforts. Keep your receipts. And as we’ve mentioned, notify all your travel providers and your insurer as soon as possible once you cancel your trip. Here are some  tips on how to use your trip delay benefit —and how you know it’s time to cancel the trip.

Always read your plan documents carefully so you understand your coverage, and call Allianz Global Assistance if you have any questions. Travelers covered by our insurance plans can access 24-hour assistance anytime via the Allianz TravelSmart TM app or by calling 1-800-654-1908 (from the U.S.) or 1-804-281-5700 (collect). Wishing you safe—and uninterrupted—travels!

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Things to know about Trip Cancellation and Trip Disruption

• Date: July 17, 2020

It’s been awhile since the Phase 2 safe re-opening and the General Election in Singapore. Recently, more people are allowed to return to workplace and there are further easing of the current travel restrictions.

If you are looking forward to travel in the new normal, travel insurance is a no-brainer. In addition, be fully prepared for the unexpected with understanding of trip cancellation, trip postponement and trip disruption benefits. Read on!

Things to know about trip cancellation

Planning to take off tomorrow but have to cancel due to certain medical or non-medical events? Trip cancellation comes into place in such a situation, reimbursing all or some costs, depending on one’s coverage.

“I’ve changed my mind about travelling because I don’t feel safe.”

In the new normal, this may come up frequently. Would trip cancellation protect you if you changed your mind about travelling? Well, different insurers have their own set of terms and conditions, and this is especially so with regards to cancellation claims due to COVID-19.

Read the policy wording before you purchase your travel insurance to be fully aware of what’s covered and what’s not. Most importantly, trip cancellation cover only applies for those who cancel before they depart.

Things to know about trip postponement

“I still want to travel, but I can’t do so right now.”

The alternative to cancelling your trip is to postpone it. However, doing so may come with certain expenses. Some insurers provide trip postponement benefit for specific events that allows the insured traveller to defer their trip until they are able to do so without incurring extra costs.

Like the trip cancellation benefit, trip postponement benefit only applies for those who postpone before they depart.

#TiqOurWord Postponing your trip? You can make changes to your Tiq Travel Insurance policy (via your TiqConnect account) if the duration and destination remains the same. Otherwise, please contact Customer Care for assistance. Learn more about our travel protection here .

Things to know about trip disruption

Imagine encountering a level 10 typhoon upon reaching your destination. You’re unable to proceed with your tour. That’s where trip disruption comes in handy.

Also known as trip interruption or trip curtailment, trip disruption covers unexpected events during your trip that ‘force’ you to shorten your trip and return home early.

In the new normal, there are more uncertainties than ever. Aside from intermittent lockdowns that have become a reality, civil unrests and even bad weather could disrupt your trip.

Trip disruption coverage kicks in only after you have left home and if an insured event happens during your trip . As usual, different travel insurance have their own sets of terms, so read the policy wording.

Ready to travel in the new normal?

Travel restrictions are still in place in Singapore, but it’s not impossible to travel. If you have made up your mind to travel, stay aware of the latest measures such as the serving of 14-day Stay Home Notice and COVID-19 testing for all incoming travellers except those who were in countries or places that currently has established special travel arrangements with Singapore.

Before you go, it’s best that you know about travel insurance in the new normal and here’re some useful tips for safe air travel from fellow travellers. Be safe wherever you go!

Information is accurate as at 8 October 2020. This policy is underwritten by Etiqa Insurance Pte. Ltd. (Company Reg. No. 201331905K). Protected up to specified limits by SDIC.

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What’s the Difference Between Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, and Trip Delay?

Chances are, you didn’t plan your trip knowing you would have to cancel it, or cut it short. You may realize that there’s a possibility that a family member may get sick, a weather event may occur, or your airline may go on strike, but you plan ahead anyway, booking travel and paying trip deposits. That’s when trip cancellation, trip delay and trip interruption coverage is helpful.

However, many travelers do not understand what the difference is between each of those types of coverages.

What is Trip Cancellation Coverage?

The Trip Cancellation benefit in a travel insurance policy can provide coverage for non-refundable trip payments in the event that a trip has to be cancelled for a covered reason.*

Trip Cancellation is one of the more common travel insurance claims filed, and is one of the main reasons people purchase a travel insurance plan. While no one plans on having to cancel a trip once we book it, the unexpected can happen.

Cancel For Any Reason Coverage

Travelers who want coverage for cancellation reasons beyond those that are included in a base Arch RoamRight policy may be able to purchase the Cancel for Any Reason optional upgrade.

Cancel for Any Reason allows you to cancel your trip for any reasons up to 48 hours prior to departure. This benefit can reimburse you up to 75% of your trip cost. However, to be eligible for this upgrade, you must meet the following criteria:

• Purchase your insurance within 21 days of making your initial trip deposit, and
• Insure all of your trip deposits that are subject to cancellation penalties.

The Cancel for Any Reason upgrade is available with the Preferred , Elite , Pro , and Pro Plus plans. While Cancel for Any Reason is not available to residents of New York, they have similar coverage under a benefit called Cancel for Fortuitous Reasons. Please contact customer service or see your policy for specific details.

Those who are concerned about having to cancel for work-related reasons can also purchase the Cancel for Work Reasons optional upgrade. Cancel for Work Reasons allows you to cancel your trip for reasons such as being forced to work during your previous scheduled vacation, being transferred to a different city, and others. Please note that Cancel for Work Reasons is not available for individuals who are self-employed, or are company owners or partners.

The Cancel for Work Reasons upgrade is available with the Preferred, Elite, and Pro plans. With the Pro Plus plan, Cancel for Work Reasons is automatically included at no additional cost.

Example of a Trip Cancellation Claim:

One common example of a Trip Cancellation claim that we see involves families having to cancel their trips as a result of a sick child.

The video below is based on a real story from an Arch RoamRight traveler who had to cancel their trip after their daughter got strep throat when they were supposed to depart.

What is Trip Interruption Coverage?

The Trip Interruption benefit can provided coverage for non-refundable trip payments in the event a trip must be cut short or started late for a covered reason.*

Example of a Trip Interruption Claim:

Since a claimable Trip Interruption event can happen at the start or the middle of your trip, there are a number of examples of this type of coverage being applicable.

A common example of Trip Interruption is for travelers flying to a port of embarkation for a cruise. If the flight is delayed for a covered reason and it is long enough to force you to miss the cruise departure, the Trip Interruption benefit can reimburse you for unused, prepaid non-refundable payments or deposits for your land or water travel arrangements, plus the additional cost paid to either join your cruise or travel via alternate travel.

Another example is when you are on your trip, enjoying your vacation and you receive bad news from back home. If it is for a covered reason* and you need to return home immediately, trip interruption will help pay for the difference in costs in airfare and transportation, as well as any unused, pre-paid non-refundable payments or deposits.

What do Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits cover?

As with any case, check your policy details to make sure you understand how the coverage works specifically for the policy you purchased.

For most Arch RoamRight plans, trip cancellation or interruption coverage is available for the following Unforeseen reasons:

• Your, a Family Member’s, or a Traveling Companion’s, or a Business Partner’s or a Traveling Companion’s Family Member’s death, that occurs before departure on Your Trip; or
• Your, a Family Member’s, or a Traveling Companion’s or a Business Partner’s or a Traveling Companion’s Family Member’s covered Sickness or Injury, that: a) occurs before departure on Your Trip; b) requires Medical Treatment at the time of cancellation; and c) as certified by a Physician, results in medical restrictions so disabling as to cause Your Trip to be cancelled; or
• for Other Covered Events, as outlined below.

This is an abbreviated list of the most common covered events for trip cancellation or interruption. For coverage, an event must be unforeseen at the time of purchase. For a full list of events and coverage details, please refer to the policy.

• Sickness, accidental injury or death
• Being hijacked, quarantined, subpoenaed, or asked to serve on jury duty
• Home or destination is made uninhabitable
• Traffic accident en route to departure
• Death or hospitalization of host at destination
• Terrorist attack
• Revoked military leave
• Inclement Weather
• Bankruptcy of travel supplier
• Job loss or lay off
• Natural disaster at destination
• Mandatory evacuation
• You or your traveling companion’s normal pregnancy
• Extension of school year

What is Trip Delay Coverage?

The Trip Delay benefit can provide coverage for incurred costs associated with a travel delay if the start of a trip must be delayed for a covered reason.*

Example of a Trip Delay Claim:

It is common to see Trip Delay claims related to airline delays. With air travel being unpredictable and often influenced by weather and other factors, a severe delay in your flight can force dramatic changes for your scheduled trip.

For long flight delays, travelers may be forced to spend money that they didn’t anticipate spending, such as buying an additional meal at the airport or spending a night at the hotel to take a flight rescheduled for the next day. Under your Trip Delay benefit, you can be covered for those related expenses.

When choosing your travel insurance plan, it is important to look at the benefit limits and time triggers related to the Trip Delay benefit. With Arch RoamRight and most other travel insurance plans, your trip delay must exceed a specified amount of time in order to be eligible for coverage, and coverage varies by plan.

What do Trip Delay benefits cover?

Trip delay coverage is for travel hazards resulting from:

• any delay of Your Common Carrier;
• a traffic accident in which You or Your Traveling Companion are involved while en route to departure (must be substantiated by a police report);
• Your or Your Traveling Companion’s lost or stolen passports, travel documents or money (must be substantiated by a police report);
• quarantine, hijacking, Strike, Natural Disaster, terrorism or riot;
• a road closure (substantiated by the department of transportation, state police, etc.) due to severe storms preventing You from getting to the point of departure for Your Trip;
• Your Sickness or Injury or the Sickness, Injury or death of Your Traveling Companion, or Family Member traveling with You.

*These covered reasons, as well as exclusions and limitations, can be found in your policy .

Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.

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Understanding Trip Cancellation and Curtailment with Allianz Travel

Understanding trip cancellation and curtailment, trip cancellation.

Trip cancellation refers to the unfortunate situation where you have to cancel your entire trip before it even begins. The reasons for cancellation can vary widely, from personal emergencies to unforeseen events affecting your travel companions. 

Here are the scenarios in which Allianz Travel provides coverage for trip cancellation:

• Death, Serious Injury, or Serious Illness: If you, someone you were going to stay with, a traveling companion, or a close relative or business associate experiences a serious medical crisis, Allianz Travel has you covered.
• Home Emergencies: You or a traveling companion might be required by the police due to a burglary, or your home may suffer damage from a serious fire, storm, flood, explosion, subsidence, vandalism, fallen trees, or even an impact by an aircraft or vehicle. In such cases, your trip cancellation will be protected.

Trip Curtailment

•  Trip curtailment, on the other hand, involves ending your trip prematurely after it has already begun. If you need to cut your trip short due to unexpected health-related issues, law enforcement matters, or emergency family situations, you may encounter trip curtailment. Please refer to our Ts&Cs for more information or reach out to us for assistance.
• It's essential to understand that Allianz coverage has its limits. As a policy holder, it's important to know that certain situations will NOTbe covered, including but not limited to:
•         1. Business trips or meeting cancellations
•         2. Canceling your trip due to personal reasons unrelated to an emergency
•         3. Non-emergency doctor appointments
• Please refer to our Ts & Cs for a complete understanding of what is and isn't covered by our policy. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to r each out to us for assistance.

Common Reasons for Trip Cancellation and Curtailment

• It's important to note that not all reasons for trip cancellation or curtailment are covered by Allianz Travel's policy. Many claims are denied because they do not fall within the scenarios covered by the policy.

Business Meetings and Family Issues

• Customers often assume that a business meeting or family issue will automatically qualify for trip cancellation or curtailment coverage. However, it's crucial to understand that coverage is provided only for specific types of emergencies, such as serious injury or illness. If your trip plans change due to a business meeting or family issue that does not meet these criteria, you may not be eligible for compensation.

Flight Cancellation vs. Trip Cancellation

• Another common misunderstanding is the difference between flight cancellation and trip cancellation. While flight cancellation is not covered by Alliaz, trip cancellation is a covered benefit. If your trip is canceled, you may be eligible for coverage.
• If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us . Our team is here to help.
• Please note that our Ts & Cs apply. For a complete understanding of the definitions and coverage provided by Alliaz, please refer to our policy documentation .

Pre-Existing Conditions (PEC)

• Allianz Travel's policy does not cover trip cancellation if it is due to a health issue related to a pre-existing condition (PEC). Some customers have mistakenly believed that PEC is not covered only in the case of medical claims, not trip cancellations. It's crucial to understand that any trip cancellation resulting from a PEC may not be eligible for coverage.

In conclusion

• Planning a trip is an exciting adventure, but life's unpredictability means you should always be prepared for the unexpected. With Allianz Travel's trip cancellation and curtailment coverage, you can travel with peace of mind, knowing that you have financial protection in case of emergencies that fall within the policy's criteria.
• Remember to carefully review the policy details and understand the scenarios covered to make informed decisions about your travel plans. By doing so, you can ensure that your journey, whether for leisure or business, is protected against unforeseen circumstances, allowing you to focus on the joy of exploring new destinations and creating lasting memories. Travel smart with Allianz Travel, where your adventures are safeguarded every step of the way.

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Trip cancellation and curtailment coverage in travel insurance

Travelling is full of surprises, and not all of them are pleasant. That's where travel insurance comes in handy. It's like a safety blanket for your trips, especially when things are unplanned. Among the various aspects of travel insurance, one often misunderstood area is trip cancellation and curtailment coverage. Misconceptions around this coverage lead to miscommunication when travellers want to make a claim, which can be naturally frustrating. 

In this blog, we will talk about this coverage,  breaking it down so you can understand it better and feel more confident about your travel insurance choices.

Please note any claim eligibility is subject to the terms and conditions of the travel insurance product you are purchasing. The reasons stated in this article are indicative and not binding. It is highly recommended to read our terms and conditions to see the exclusions, limits and conditions of our products. You can see all of the steps regarding making claims in the Allianz Travel Terms & Conditions .

Demystifying trip cancellation and curtailment coverage

Let's unravel the concept of Trip Cancellation and Curtailment Coverage. Think of it as a protective shield for your travel plans. This coverage steps in when you must cancel your trip before it begins or cut it short due to specific circumstances. These unexpected events can range from medical emergencies that aren’t the result of a pre-existing condition to any other reason covered in the policy, throwing a wrench into your well-laid travel plans.

Imagine you've been looking forward to that dream vacation or a crucial business trip for months. Then, you or a family member falls seriously ill out of nowhere. In these challenging moments, Trip Cancellation and Curtailment Coverage act as a financial safety net, helping you recover non-refundable expenses and navigate the complexities of rescheduling or cancelling travel arrangements.

Covered reasons for trip cancellation and curtailment claims

Cancellation.

If you find yourself needing to cancel your journey before it begins due to the following events, you can rely on this coverage for reimbursement of non-refundable trip costs:

• Death, serious injury, or serious illness:  This includes situations where you, someone you intended to stay with, a travelling companion, or a close relative or business associate experience the unfortunate events of death, serious injury, or serious illness.  This does not include pre-existing conditions. 
• Police involvement after home incidents:  If the police require you or a travelling companion following a burglary, damage caused by a serious fire, storm, flood, explosion, subsidence, vandalism, fallen trees, or impact by aircraft or vehicle at your home or their home or usual place of business in your home country, you can cancel your journey and seek coverage.

Curtailment 

Sometimes, unforeseen events occur after your journey has begun, necessitating an early return home. Allianz's coverage extends to the following circumstances:

• Events mentioned in the cancellation : If any events mentioned under the cancellation section mentioned above happen during your trip, compelling you to conclude it prematurely, you can count on this coverage for support.
• Injury or illness requiring hospitalisation : If you or a travelling companion becomes injured or ill and must remain in the hospital for the remainder of your journey, this coverage ensures you're covered for the incurred costs. Please note that this excludes preexisting conditions. This does not include pre-existing conditions . 

Exploring limitations: When trip cancellation and curtailment coverage may not apply

While Trip Cancellation and Curtailment Coverage is a helpful safety net, there are times when it won't come to your rescue. Let's break down these situations:

Extra costs: 

Sometimes, you might have to chip in a bit. In the event of a trip cancellation or curtailment claim, there could be an excess amount you need to cover yourself, as mentioned in your summary of cover.

Health matters:

If you have health issues, or your policy explicitly excludes certain medical conditions, it could affect your trip cancellation or curtailment claim eligibility.

Unusual payment methods: 

If you've paid for your travel expenses using frequent flyer points, loyalty card points, or vouchers, the coverage might not pay more than those expenses would typically cost.

Specific situations: 

Trip Cancellation and Curtailment Coverage may not kick in for:

         Passport or visa problems : If you don't have the right passport or visa for your trip.

         Carrier hiccups : If the airline or transport provider decides not to let you board for any reason.

         Legal limitations : When the laws of a country or the folks in charge of enforcing those laws put the brakes on your travel.

         Provider troubles : If the company running your transport or accommodation goes bankrupt.

         Their fault, not yours : Anything that's the fault of your travel provider, conference organiser, or anyone acting on your behalf.

         Car troubles: If your vehicle gets stolen or breaks down.

         Change of heart: When you decide you don't want to travel or aren't having a good time, it's not for a serious reason.

         Civil unrest: Events like riots, strikes, or civil disturbances.

         Air travel exclusion : If you're on a private aircraft, your coverage may not apply.

         Intentional actions : If you intentionally mess up your travel plans, like doing something reckless or illegal (unless it was to save someone's life).

         Pets and animals : The sad passing of a pet or animal won't be covered.

         Transport or vehicle withdrawal : If your booked transport, like a plane, train, or boat, gets taken out of service due to a government or authority order in any country.

Late notice:

If you don't tell your travel provider, their agents, or anyone helping you out as soon as you know you have to cancel, you might end up with extra charges that the coverage won't handle.

Money and jobs:

Financial troubles or unemployment typically won't be covered unless you find out about losing your job due to redundancy after you bought your policy or travel tickets (whichever came later).

Trip cancellation/curtailment coverage options with Allianz Travel

When securing comprehensive travel insurance coverage that safeguards your travel plans, choosing an insurer you can trust that comprehends the nuances of your travel needs is essential. Allianz Travel is a reliable choice if you're looking for travel insurance that includes the invaluable Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Benefit.

Our travel insurance packages, which include the trip cancellation/curtailment benefit, are the following: 

Annual multi-trip insurance 

Allianz Travel created this travel insurance product for frequent flyers as it is a convenient and more cost-effective way to travel any time of the year. Our annual multi-trip product covers all trips below 90 days within a year. The coverage includes the following: 

• Emergency Medical Expenses 
• Dental Expenses 
• Loss of Travel Documents 
• Hospital funds 
• Personal accident, 
• Missed Departure
• Delayed Departure
• Flight Overbooking

Single-trip insurance 

Our single-trip insurance packages are tailored for individuals who take one annual trip any time of the year. These packages come with a range of benefits and offer extensive worldwide coverage. The coverage includes:

• Personal accident 

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What is trip cancellation and interruption insurance?

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Whether you get travel insurance through a policy you purchase or from a travel credit card , you’ve probably noticed that most plans include a trip cancellation and interruption insurance benefit. This perk is one of the most common travel insurance benefits , and it’s also one of the most valuable. After all, travelers who have this protection can often get reimbursed when their trip is canceled or interrupted for certain reasons beyond their control, such as an unexpected illness, an injury or a flight cancellation.

Before you invest in trip cancellation coverage or trip interruption insurance, however, you should know how these coverages actually work and when they apply. So, what is trip interruption insurance, and how does trip cancellation protection work? Let’s dive into these insurance products to find out what they’re all about.

While trip cancellation coverage and trip interruption coverage are often grouped together, these two coverages actually apply in different situations. For instance, trip cancellation coverage reimburses travelers when their trip is canceled altogether for eligible reasons, whereas trip interruption coverage provides reimbursement for some prepaid travel expenses when a trip is interrupted after it has already started.

Note that, with both types of insurance protection, reimbursement only applies in scenarios that are beyond a traveler’s control. This means that you can’t just cancel your trip for any reason and get your money back, nor can you decide to leave your trip early and successfully file for reimbursement.

Also, note that you may be able to purchase trip cancellation and interruption insurance separately or it may be a part of the included benefits within a travel insurance plan . You may also be able to get this coverage automatically from certain travel credit cards .

What does trip cancellation and interruption insurance cover?

Trip cancellation insurance is meant to reimburse you for prepaid travel expenses you already booked when your trip is canceled for reasons beyond your control. Some common scenarios where trip cancellation coverage can apply includes (but is not limited to):

• Injury, illness or death of a traveler or close family member
• Financial default of an airline or travel provider
• Inclement weather that leads to trip cancellation
• Work issues that cause you to miss a trip
• Being called into active duty military service
• Acts of terrorism in the travel destination

Meanwhile, trip interruption insurance can apply when a trip is forced to an early end for an eligible reason. Common situations covered by a trip interruption benefit include the following:

• Injury, illness or death of a traveler or close family member during a trip
• Diagnosis of COVID-19 or required quarantine during a trip
• Destination made uninhabitable due to severe weather
• Terrorist activity taking place in your travel destination
• Lost passport or travel documents during a trip
• Travel strikes that impact your trip

What does trip cancellation and interruption insurance not cover?

While the list of covered scenarios for trip cancellation or interruption coverage above is not exhaustive, you should know that not everything is covered by either type of protection. Common scenarios that are typically not covered by travel insurance include:

• Travel interruptions caused by acts of war
• Travel interruptions caused by civil unrest
• Government-issued travel bulletins or warnings
• Natural disasters
• Nuclear reaction, radiation or radioactive contamination
• Terrorist events

That said, it’s important to note that it’s possible to purchase trip cancellation and interruption coverage that applies in a broader range of scenarios. For example, you can purchase “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) insurance that lets you cancel your trip for any reason at all and get part of your prepaid travel expenses back. Likewise, an “interrupt for any reason” (IFAR) insurance policy lets you end your trip for any reason and get part of your prepaid travel expenses back.

Both types of optional coverage will make your travel insurance policy cost more, but CFAR and IFAR insurance can provide peace of mind if you’re unsure your trip will happen and you want a way to get at least some of your prepaid costs toward hotels and airfare back if you decide to stay home.

Best credit cards for trip cancellation/interruption insurance

Several travel credit cards with travel insurance offer trip cancellation and interruption insurance automatically for cardholders, including the following:

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card comes with trip cancellation and interruption coverage of up to $10,000 per person and up to $20,000 per trip. This insurance covers pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses (like passenger fares, hotels and tours) in the event a covered situation (such as sickness or severe weather) occurs.

Other travel insurance perks include primary rental car coverage, baggage delay insurance, trip delay reimbursement and travel and emergency assistance services. A $95 annual fee applies for this card.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® also comes with trip cancellation and interruption coverage of up to $10,000 per person and up to $20,000 per trip. Like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, this insurance applies to covered situations and will reimburse you for eligible, pre-paid and non-refundable travel expenses.

Other notable travel benefits include primary rental car coverage, lost luggage reimbursement, trip delay reimbursement and emergency evacuation and transportation coverage. A $550 annual fee applies for this card.

The Platinum Card from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express comes with trip cancellation and interruption insurance of up to $10,000 per trip and up to $20,000 per eligible card every 12 months. Insurance applies to covered reasons (additional terms and conditions apply).

Other travel protections for cardholders include car rental loss and damage insurance, emergency assistance services and trip delay insurance. A $695 annual fee applies for this card.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card

The World of Hyatt Credit Card *, which is issued by Chase, comes with several travel protections, including trip cancellation and interruption coverage (for eligible events and expenses) of up to $5,000 per person and up to $10,000 per trip. Cardholders will also get baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, secondary auto rental coverage and Visa Signature concierge services. A $95 annual fee applies for this card.

The bottom line

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance can help you get some of your money back when your trip is canceled or interrupted for reasons beyond your control. However, you’ll want to read over the policies you’re considering so you know what is and isn’t covered, as well as how much coverage you’ll get per traveler and per trip. Also, note that many top travel credit cards offer this benefit for free, but you’ll have to pay for your trip with your eligible credit card for travel insurance benefits to apply.

At the end of the day, having coverage for trip cancellations and interruptions can be worth it regardless of whether you buy a travel insurance plan or book a trip with your favorite travel credit card. While travel can be stressful and expensive, having travel insurance can help .

*The information about The World of Hyatt Credit Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

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Compensation for loss of personal accommodation or travel charges following the necessary and unavoidable cancellation of the trip due to death, serious injury or sudden sickness of insured or family member .

Trip interruption is when a traveler encounters a situation in which they must end their trip for an unforeseen reason. For example, you go for a two-week long trip overseas and within the first few days, a natural calamity like earthquake or tsunami occurs, leaving you with no other option but to leave the country and return home immediately. This situation would be considered trip interruption and having coverage for this would ensure reimbursement up to the covered amount for non-refundable, unused travel expenses that you are forced to forfeit due to the interruption of plans.

Interruption of trip due :

• Unforeseen disease, illness, injury, or death of the Insured person / family member.
• Termination of employment or layoff affecting the insured person or the travelling companion of the insured, provided that the Insured/ Insured Person or the travelling companion have been employed with the employer for at least three continuous years;
• Inclement weather conditions causing interruption of the trip with due authentication by a letter from the common carrier;
• The place intended to be occupied by the Insured/ Insured Person for purposes of his or her stay during the trip or the destination being made uninhabitable by fire, flood, vandalism, burglary, or such natural disaster;

Exclusions:

• Common carrier-caused delays, including an announced, organized sanctioned union labour strike that affects public transportation, unless the commencement of the period of insurance is prior to a date when the strike is foreseeable.
• Travel arrangements cancelled or changed by an airline, cruise line, or tour operator, unless the cancellation is the result of inclement weather.
• Changes in plans by the Insured, an immediate family member, or travelling companion for any reason.
• Adverse change in financial circumstances of the Insured/ Insured Person, any family member, or a travelling companion.
• Any business or contractual obligations of the Insured/ Insured Person, any family member, or a travelling companion, except for termination or layoff of employment of the Insured or the travelling companion of the Insured as defined above.
• Default by the person, agency, or tour operator from whom the Insured/ Insured Person bought this Policy and/or made travel arrangements.
• Any government regulation or prohibition.
• An event or circumstance, which occurs prior to the commencement of the period of insurance.
• On account of a felonious assault, where the Insured, any family member of the Insured, the travelling companion or travelling companion's family member has been a principal or accessory in the companion's family member has been a principal or accessory in the assault committed.
• Any exclusion mentioned in the General Exclusions

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About Claims & Exclusions

1. exclusions.

Frequently Asked Questions

A) For the same trip, I was not able to claim from my insurer, but my travel companion’s claim was successfully made with another insurer! Why must there be exclusions in the first place?

Travel insurance should be there to cover me for all my travel inconveniences and losses.

Travel insurance policies range from basic plans with limited sections of benefits and low limits, to comprehensive ones with wide ranging benefits and generous limits. Correspondingly, the premiums for different levels of insurance policies may also differ substantially. Coverage, benefits and terms and conditions differ among products and insurers. And like all life and general insurance policies, travel insurance policies have exclusions to keep their premiums reasonable. It is important that you do not base your decision on premium alone. Always choose an insurance policy that best fit your needs. A list of factors that you should consider before purchasing a travel insurance policy can be found in question 3c under “About Travel Insurance”.

B) Why are earthquakes, tsunamis and other natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions etc. classified as Acts of God and not covered usually under travel insurance?

Most insurers provide cover for Accidental Death or Total Permanent Disablement, Medical Expenses and Medical Evacuation arising from Acts of God. However, due to the wide extent of impact of such events, coverage provided under Trip Cancellation, Trip Curtailment or Baggage and Personal Effects etc., may differ. Be sure to check your policy wording to verify the type of benefits offered prior to purchase. Even if the policy provides coverage for such events, it is important that you take added precautions to protect your life and belongings. Look out for news on the destination you are travelling to. Should there be an impending natural disaster or strike, check the latest Travel Advisory issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Consular Information / Travel Advisory or your airline’s webpage for current travel notices. Consult your travel agent or airline if it is safe to proceed with the trip.

C) For those who unfortunately lose their lives during travel, can their family members claim from the deceased’s travel insurance policy?

Travel insurance policy does cover Accidental Death/ Permanent Disablement due to an accident. This is applicable for both life and general insurance.

D) Is nuclear radiation covered?

All travel insurance policies carry a total exclusion on nuclear risks. The cover excludes any loss, damage, illness caused directly or indirectly from the existence or escape of nuclear, ionising radiation and contamination by radioactivity from nuclear fuel.

E) In the wake of unrest in the Middle East, does travel insurance cover civil unrest, commotions, demonstrations and war?

Generally, most policies will provide cover for riots and civil commotion situations particularly for Personal Accident and Medical Expenses related sections. This applies as long as you were already there when the outbreak occurred and you are an innocent bystander. Riots and civil commotion are also typically listed as an insured event under the Travel Delay section. Some policies also provide cover for this under the Trip Cancellation and Curtailment sections as long as the outbreak was an unexpected event and did not occur prior to your departure.

However policies have different terms and conditions, you should read your policy carefully and keep a look out for news of the destination that you are travelling to. Most policies have a total exclusion on war risks which will exclude any losses arising directly or indirectly from war. Some policies may offer some form of restricted cover for war risks, usually only under the Personal Accident section and subject to the outbreak being an unexpected event after you had already departed for your trip, and as long as you are an innocent bystander.

Again, you should be aware of what your policy covers and be alert to events in the destination that you are travelling to.

F) Will all medical expenses incurred during travel be covered?

Read the policy contract carefully to find out what is and what is not covered. For example, pre-existing conditions are generally not covered in most policies. There can also be limits on how much you can claim for medical expenses.

2. Trip Cancellation & Trip Curtailment

A) I booked a trip to China for my family but had to cancel it prior to departure as my son fell and fractured his leg. I called my travel agency but they told me there would be a cancellation charge. Can I claim under my travel policy and if so, what can I claim?

Most travel policies have a Trip Cancellation section which will cover you for travel costs prepaid in advance for which you are not able to obtain a refund up to a specified maximum limit. However, there are certain terms and conditions which you should be aware of, some of which are highlighted below:

i) This section will only be applicable if you DO NOT proceed with your journey. For example, there is no cover if you merely postponed your trip to an alternative date. ii) The cancellation must be due to a named event. Common events will include serious illness or accident to you, your travelling companion or specified family members only, or an unexpected outbreak of strike, riot or civil commotion. As the list of insured events covered differs for different policies, please check your policy wording to verify the type of benefits offered. iii) There is usually a specified time frame prior to departure within which the named event must occur. This is commonly set at 30 days prior to departure.

An important feature of this section is the date and time that you purchase your policy. It is of no use to purchase the policy after an event has happened as your claim will not be admissible. Therefore you should ensure that you purchase your policy early to utilise this section fully and avoid any misunderstanding.

B) I was travelling in China when my family members informed me that my mother had fallen seriously ill and was hospitalised. As I am the primary caretaker for my mother, I had to rush home and look after her. I could not amend my air ticket so I had to purchase a new air ticket to fly home urgently. I also had to forfeit the rest of my scheduled tour. Can I claim from my travel policy?

Most travel policies also have a Trip Curtailment section which will reimburse you for the travel costs pre-paid in advance for which you are unable to get a refund AND additional travel costs incurred in order to return home, subject up to a maximum limit.

Some common terms and conditions you should be aware of:

i) Trip curtailment means that you have abandoned your original trip and returned home. ii) The curtailment must be due to a named event. Common events will include serious illness or accident to you, your travelling companion or specified family members only, natural disasters or an unexpected outbreak of strike, riot or civil commotion.

You should provide supporting documents to verify that the event resulting in the trip curtailment did take place. For example based on the earlier scenario, documents to show the period and medical condition suffered by your mother, an invoice from the travel agency showing the amount paid for the tour and receipts showing the additional costs incurred.

As the list of insured events covered differs between policies, please check your policy’s wording to verify the type of benefits offered.

You were in London and had planned to travel to Germany for 2 days before returning to London to fly back to Singapore. Unfortunately due to severe weather conditions, you were unable to fly to Germany so you remained in London and flew home to Singapore as originally scheduled. You had to forfeit the cost of the tour, flight and hotel expenses in Germany.

In this case, this is not a cancellation or curtailment situation. You had already departed Singapore so you did not cancel or abandon your trip. You did not curtail your trip as you did not cut short your trip to return home but merely changed your travel plans and continued to stay in London. In any event, curtailment would not be covered as adverse weather conditions are generally not an insured event under the section. You should check your policy’s wording to verify the insured events applicable for trip cancellation and curtailment cover.

C) When the volcano in Iceland erupted, volcanic ash was spread all over Europe. I had cancel my trip to Europe as my flights had been cancelled due to the closure of airspace. Can I claim for the expenses incurred which my travel agent and airline did not refund me?

If your travel policy specifies natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions as an insured event under the Trip Cancellation section, you will be covered:

i) if you purchased your policy before the eruption happened and/or any travel advisory had been issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ii) for the non-refundable cost of your pre-paid travel expenses up to the maximum policy limit iii) if the event resulting in the cancellation of your travel occurs within the specified time frame prior to your departure Some policies may not cover natural disasters for trip cancellation so you should read your policy wording carefully as occurrence time frames, policy limits and exclusions will differ across different policies. An added step that you can take to reduce your risk exposure is to approach your travel agency and airline as early as possible to verify where they stand for the situation at hand.

These parties may offer refunds or alternative solutions. These typically will have a deadline so you should approach them early. For hotel bookings, if you inform them early, your cancellation fee will be greatly reduced. These are all simple steps you can take to reduce your potential losses especially in situations where there is no cover or limited cover under your travel policy.

D) What if I was already overseas and had to curtail my trip and return earlier than scheduled? Or if I experienced delays in my journey and had to incur additional costs for travel and accommodation?

In the event that you have to curtail your trip, the same cancellation issues as highlighted above will apply. Generally for delay situations, travel policies will cover delay as a result of adverse weather conditions, but not for natural disasters like volcanic eruptions. As explained in question 3c, this is due to the wide extent of impact of such natural disasters.

E) But some people in the same tour group received some form of compensation while some did not. Why is this so?

As explained in question 3a, this is due to the different terms and conditions found across different policies. However, notwithstanding policy terms and conditions, insurers may take a stand in view of special circumstances. This will usually be posted on their website so you should visit your insurer’s website or approach your insurance intermediary for details.

3. Baggage Delay

A) What can I claim for if I do not receive my baggage upon arrival at my destination?

This will be covered under the Baggage Delay section of a travel policy. Typically the policy will cover you if your luggage has been delayed, misdirected or temporarily misplaced by any carrier for a specified number of hours from the time of your arrival at the scheduled destination abroad, or upon your return to Singapore at the end of the journey. Most policies are on a cash benefit basis for this section, but there are some policies which are on a reimbursement basis. You should read your policy wording carefully

B) How do I submit a claim for baggage delay and what documents will I need to provide?

If you cannot locate your baggage at the designated baggage belt, you should proceed to the airline counter to make a Property Irregularity Report. This report will state the number and details of bags missing and serve as a record for the airline to initiate a search for your missing bag(s). When the bag(s) is found, the airline will arrange for the delivery of your bag to your designated address. You should ensure that you sign off on the form with date and time of receipt so that your insurer is able to compute the number of hours of delay. If the bag(s) is to be delivered when you are not around, you should try to arrange for someone, for example the hotel reception, to make a note of the date and time of delivery.

Upon arrival at your destination, you could not locate your bag. You incurred expenses of $400 to purchase some clothing and toiletries. The airline eventually located your bag and delivered it to you 18 hours later. If your policy is on a cash benefit basis, paying $200 for every 6 hours of delay up to a maximum of $1,000, you will receive $600 in cash benefit for the 18 hours delay i.e. $200 x (18 hours / 6 hours). You will not be able to claim for the expenses incurred on top of this cash benefit. If your policy is on a reimbursement basis up to a maximum of $500, you will be reimbursed up to the $400 maximum provided you are able to substantiate your expenses with supporting documents and receipts.

4. Travel Delay

A) Will I be able to claim under my travel policy if my flight is delayed for whatever reason?

Your travel policy will NOT cover you for all kinds of delay. Most travel policies cover delay only for specific reasons AND if the number of hours of delay is more than the minimum hours of delay provided for under the policy.

The common events provided for in most travel policies that cover delays are:

i) Strike, riot or civil commotion / industrial action ii) Adverse weather conditions iii) Mechanical breakdown / structural defect of your scheduled public conveyance

Delays caused by natural disasters such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, are not considered “adverse weather conditions” and are generally not covered unless they are specified in the policy.

You were scheduled to fly from New York to Singapore but the flight was delayed due to severe snow storms in New York. If the delay exceeds the stated minimum hours of delay under your policy, you will be able to claim for delay benefits.

In the same scenario where you were scheduled to fly from New York to Singapore but the flight was delayed due to issues relating to the business operations of the airline. This is not covered as it does not fall within the insured events. Operational reasons such as crew rotation to meet statutory regulations on maximum working hours, rescheduling of flights to suit capacity demands or inability of the airline to prepare the airplane on time for the scheduled departure time are the airlines’ business risks and will not be covered by insurance policies.

You were supposed to board a train from Frankfurt to Rome. You waited at a platform for 3 hours and then discovered at the last moment that you were at the wrong platform! Despite rushing to the correct platform, you still missed the train and had to wait 12 hours for the next train. There is no cover in the above scenario as the “delay” was not caused by any of the named events. There was in fact no delay as your original scheduled train left on time.

B) What kind of benefits can I claim for if my journey was delayed due to an insured event?

Benefits under this section are usually on a (i) cash benefit basis for most policies – this means that the policy will pay you an agreed amount depending on the hours of delay up to a maximum limit regardless of how much you have incurred. However, some policies are structured on a (ii) reimbursement basis – meaning that the policy will reimburse you for reasonable expenses incurred up to an agreed limit. Make sure to check your policy wording to verify the type of benefits offered.

You were scheduled to fly from New York to Singapore but the flight was delayed due to severe snow storms in New York, and the next available flight is 24 hours later. You incurred expenses of $300 for an additional night of accommodation, meals and telephone calls. If your policy is on a cash benefit basis, paying $100 for every 6 hours of delay up to a maximum of $1,000, you will receive $400 in cash benefits for the 24-hour delay i.e. $100 x (24 hours / 6 hours). You will not be able to claim for the expenses incurred on top of this cash benefit. If your policy is on a reimbursement basis up to a maximum of $500, you will be reimbursed $300 provided you are able to substantiate your expenses with supporting documents and receipts.

C) What documents do I need to submit to file a claim for travel delay or flight misconnection?

You will need a letter from the airline to substantiate your claim. The letter should state the reason for delay and information on the original and actual travel dates and times. You can approach the airline counter at the airport to obtain the letter if the airline does not provide you with such a letter, or you may write to the airline concerned upon your return. However, this may prolong the claim process so it is advisable to attempt to obtain the letter directly at the counter. You may also approach your tour group leader for assistance if you are part of a tour group.

5. Loss or Damage to Personal Effects

A) Will I be covered for loss of personal effects if I lose my belongings while travelling?

Most travel policies will cover you for accidental loss or damage to personal effects while overseas subject to the specific terms, conditions and limits of the travel policy you have purchased. One important condition which will be in all policies, and that you should be aware of, is that you are expected to ensure that you take basic precautions to protect your belongings and prevent loss. This is reasonable as you are in a foreign country where crime and social conditions are different.

The duty of care is simply the basic care that you would take to protect yourself and your belongings if you do not have insurance, and would have to bear the loss yourself. There will inevitably be exclusions under any policy so you should read your policy conditions carefully. Typically, consumable and perishable items will not be covered and loss of money must be due to theft.

B) I was travelling in Europe and was just about to board a train when I felt a tug on my shoulder. I looked around and discovered that someone had snatched my sling bag away. How can I make a claim?

You should first make a police report of the incident and submit your claim when you return. You should provide supporting documents to substantiate your losses, for example, purchase receipts which will help to establish the date of original purchase and cost of item. If you are unable to provide such documents, there will be adjustments made to the claim amount to factor in this uncertainty as well as for wear and tear. This is reasonable as an item will inevitably lose value over time due to usage and being exposed to external elements, especially luggage which nature of use may be handled by many parties.

C) Is loss or damage to items or personal effects due to negligence, omission and carelessness of the insured covered under the travel insurance policy?

No, such claims are not covered under travel insurance.

A) How do I go about making or filing a claim?

You can refer to your insurer’s website on the type of documents to submit for each individual benefit. Some insurance companies have mobile applications which you can download to check on the relevant documents for claim submission.

B) What documentary evidence do I need to support this?

It depends on the type of claim. Very often, the insurer will require copies of airline ticket, police report, medical bills and report, carrier irregularities report and original purchase receipt etc. You can refer to the policy contract or contact your agent or insurer for more details.

A) Where do I turn if my insurer disputes my claim and refuses to compensate me even though I have bought insurance from the company?

If the claim is not a covered event, it will be explained clearly by the insurer. However, if you are still not satisfied and have failed to reach an agreement with your insurer, you can raise this with the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre (FIDReC), an independent alternative dispute resolution scheme for disputes between consumers and financial institutions including insurers. FIDReC handles claims up to $100,000 for disputes between insured persons and insurers.

You can contact FIDReC at:

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Meaning of curtailment in English

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• This was the most drastic curtailment in public spending in American history .
• Global warming requires a sharp curtailment in the use of fossil fuels .
• The incident required the rerouting and curtailment of dozens of flights .
• adjourn to somewhere
• break the cycle
• in midstream idiom
• kick something into touch idiom
• shut (something) off
• suspended game
• take a break
• uncancelled

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curtailment

Definition of curtailment

Examples of curtailment in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'curtailment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

1794, in the meaning defined above

Dictionary Entries Near curtailment

curtailedness

Cite this Entry

“Curtailment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curtailment. Accessed 6 Apr. 2024.

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for curtailment

Nglish: Translation of curtailment for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of curtailment for Arabic Speakers

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