EN Contact us
Member
Photo © Pierre-Luc Bernier/IStock
  1. World Nomads
  2. Usa
  3. Travel Insurance
  4. Whats Covered
  5. Cancellation

Travel Insurance for Trip Cancellation

Learn what’s covered for Americans if you need to cancel your trip.

    As featured in:

  • As featured in:

For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below.

Whether you love trying new foods, discovering different cultures or getting active outdoors, the joy of travel is hard to beat. If you have no choice but to cancel your trip, dealing with the disappointment is hard enough – the last thing you need is to be out of pocket for a trip you’ve planned, booked and paid for but can’t enjoy.

However, if this happens to you, you’ll be patting yourself on the back for getting travel insurance*. World Nomads insurance plans may reimburse you for the non-refundable, pre-paid dollars you’ve handed over for everything from activities and tours to transportation and accommodation. Now you can get on with planning your next adventure.

What is trip cancellation insurance?

Trip cancellation is a benefit that reimburses you for pre-paid, forfeited, non-refundable trip payments if you need to cancel for an unforeseen, covered event such as an illness, injury, jury duty, a death in the family or an airline strike.

Reimbursable costs could include things like airfares, train tickets, hotel rooms or tour expenses. The amount you receive could be up to 100% of the trip cost, up to the maximum benefit amount specified in your plan.

Why should I consider trip cancellation insurance?

Trip costs can add up, especially if you’re booking long-haul flights, extended hotel stays, group tours, cruises or packages. No matter how you travel, it’s no fun to lose what you’ve paid towards your trip when it turns out it’s a no-go. The next-best desirable outcome (other than going on your trip)? Getting reimbursed for your non-refundable expenses if you cancel for a covered reason.

Our single-trip and annual travel insurance plans all include trip cancellation coverage. Our Epic and Explorer plans also have the option to add-on a ‘cancel for any reason’ benefit. When you get a quote, you can compare the plans side-by-side and determine which one might be right for you.

What is the difference between ‘trip cancellation’ and ‘cancel for any reason’?

All our plans include trip cancellation coverage that allows you to cancel your trip for a list of specified covered reasons, but if you purchase our Epic or Explorer plan for your travels within the time-sensitive period, you can also opt to include cancel for any reason add-on coverage. With cancel for any reason coverage, benefits will be paid for up to 75% of prepaid and non-refundable deposits and payments you made towards your canceled trip for a wider range of reasons. Broke up with your partner? You can safely cancel your trip. Sick dog? You don’t have to go. Change your mind about traveling? There’s no judgment here.

Keep in mind that conditions apply and last-minute cancellations (less than two days before departure) aren’t covered. Compare the plans to see which one best suits your needs. Cancel for any reason’ coverage is not available to residents of New York.

What does trip cancellation insurance cover?

To be eligible for trip cancellation benefits, you’ll need to explain why your trip was canceled. You could be covered for the specific reasons listed in your travel insurance plan. Examples of covered reasons include:

  • Unexpected sickness or injury.
  • Death or sickness of a family member or travel companion.
  • Being required to work after your approved leave was cancelled.
  • A call to jury duty.
  • A terrorist incident.
  • A natural disaster makes your home or destination accommodation uninhabitable.
  • An unannounced airline or other common carrier strike.
  • Mechanical breakdown of your common carrier that prevents you getting to your destination or delays it for at least 24 hours.

To have coverage, you must also meet the plan conditions and eligibility requirements. For example, if you cancel your trip because of a terrorist incident, the incident must have occurred in a city listed on your itinerary within 30 days of your departure. And if your plans are disrupted by a strike, it must cause your common carrier to stop services for at least 24 hours. Read your full plan wording for a full list of requirements.

It's important to note that no coverage will be available for an event or circumstance that is known before you purchase your trip protection plan. Examples include but are not limited to an already-announced strike, an already-named hurricane, or a pre-existing medical condition (without the exclusion waiver).

Any example scenarios provided above are not a guarantee of coverage. All claims are subject to review, require documentation and are considered individually.

What is not covered by trip cancellation insurance?

Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything, even though some circumstances are beyond your control. Our plans don’t offer trip cancellation coverage for:

  • If you change your mind.
  • If your visa is refused, or you don’t get your visa or passport back in time for travel.
  • If you get in a fight with your travel companion or break up with your partner.
  • Events that are known before you buy the plan, like already-announced strikes and already-named hurricanes.
  • Any medical bills related to a pre-existing condition, unless you purchased the Epic or Explorer plan during the time-sensitive period were medically able to travel at the time of purchase.

*All information we provided here is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the plans described. Please carefully read your state specific plan documents for a full description of coverage. Travel insurance is included as part of your travel protection plan which contains both insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. Material included on this page does not represent, nor is it specific to, United States Fire Insurance Company or travel insurance benefits provided on United States Fire Insurance Company’s travel protection plans.

Making your claim

Depending on your case, you'll need copies of:

  • Receipts
  • Itineraries
  • Doctors/death certificates
  • Medical history 
  • Written documentation from your travel provider explaining the reason for cancellation and any proof of compensation. 

Wife's accident cancels Kilimanjaro

I had to cancel my trip to Tanzania because my wife hurt her back in an accident. I was supposed to leave in three days, but it is impossible now because I have to take her to the hospital for a scan. I paid for a Kilimanjaro climb which is not refundable because it was too close to my departure date. I also put down a deposit for a three-day safari and had to cancel flights and my volunteer job.

S.K. Norwegian Nomad

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Protection

Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.

  • Standard Plan: $2,500
  • Explorer Plan: $10,000
  • Epic Plan: $15,000
  • Annual Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
  • Work emergency?
  • Weather delay?
  • Travel companion sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

  • Standard Plan: $125,500
  • Explorer Plan: $150,000
  • Epic Plan: $250,000
  • Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?
  • Need a hospital urgently?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Evacuation

We'll provide assistance to get you to the hospital or home quickly.

  • Standard Plan: $400,000
  • Explorer Plan: $500,000
  • Epic Plan: $700,000
  • Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Evacuation
  • Ambulance transfers
  • Medevac flights
  • Medical escort services

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

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

  • Standard Plan: $1,000
  • Explorer Plan: $2,000
  • Epic Plan: $3,000
  • Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
  • Stolen I.D.s
  • Checked-in sports equipment
  • Damaged luggage

Help starts here.

The amounts listed represent the maximum benefit amount.

Protect your health

  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance Help Line
  • Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
  • Emergency Evacuations
  • Bedside Companion Travel
  • Emergency Medications

Protect Your Trip

  • Trip Cancellation
  • Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
  • Trip Delay & Trip Interruption
  • Missed Connection (Explorer or Epic)
  • Rental Car Damage (Explorer, Epic or Annual)

Protect Your Stuff

  • Baggage Delay
  • Passport and Visa Loss
  • Lost or Stolen Bags
  • Personal Tech, Equipment & Gear
  • Baggage Return After Evacuation

Non-Insurance Services

  • Medical & Non-Medical 24/7 Emergency Assistance Line
  • Translators Available
  • Runway Health
  • FootprintID
  • Blue Ribbon Bags
This is a general summary for US residents only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Benefits limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Check the plan documents for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

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

Wherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.

Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?

Contact Generali Global Assistance:
Telephone: +1 954-334-8143 (Collect outside the US)
+1 877-289-0968 (Toll-free in the US and Canada

Contact the team

Get an instant travel insurance quote

Simple and flexible travel insurance designed by travelers, for travelers. See why over 3 million travelers have chosen World Nomads for more than 20 years.

FAQ

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

  • Does World Nomads offer Cancel for Any Reason insurance?
    World Nomads doesn’t have a Cancel for Any Reason option though our trip cancellation coverage protects you for a variety of circumstances. If you’re not sure about traveling, you can always book at the last minute. World Nomads plans can easily be purchased after departure even if you’re already abroad.