Cancellable Travel Insurance

Plans change. Whether you want the flexibility to cancel your policy or you're looking for travel cancellation cover for trips and flights, here's everything in one place. Read about what's covered, what isn't, and how claims work.

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Cancelling your Holiday Extras travel insurance policy

Looking for cancellable travel insurance? In the UK, most policies include a cooling-off period.

With Holiday Extras Travel Insurance, you can cancel within 14 days of receiving your documents. As long as you haven't started your trip and haven’t made (or intend to make) a claim, we’ll give you a full refund.

After 14 days, you can still cancel at any time, but refunds are not usually given. In exceptional cases, we may consider one, please always contact us as soon as possible to discuss your situation.

Important to know:

  • In some cases, we may need to cancel your policy. If this happens, we’ll give you 14 days’ written notice and refund the premium you’ve paid for the unused part of your policy period.
  • Once a policy is cancelled, your cover ends, and you won’t be able to make a claim under that policy.
  • Single Trip: You can cancel within 14 days of receiving your documents for a full refund (as long as you haven't travelled or claimed).
  • Annual Multi-Trip: You can also cancel within the 14-day cooling-off period for a full refund (as long as you haven't travelled or claimed). After that, you may be entitled to a pro-rata refund for the time left on your policy. The exact terms can vary, so it’s best to check your policy documents.

It’s best to purchase your travel insurance as soon as you book your trip, so you’re covered straight away if you need to cancel.


Compare travel insurance cancellation cover levels

Cancellation & Curtailment Cover

Bronze Silver Gold
Up to £1,000 Up to £2,500 Up to £5,000*

*Or as specified on your schedule. See the full breakdown in our cover-level table and Policy Documents.

Cancellation cover explained:

Bronze policies cover up to £1,000, Silver up to £2,500, and Gold up to £5,000. Looking for extra protection? When you get a quote, you can increase Gold cover up to £10,000 (on non-cruise policies) or £15,000 (on cruise policies) when you get a quote.

Need more? Our optional top-up can cover up to £65,000 per person. To arrange this, just give us a call on 0333 188 0643 and quote WY992.

Travel Insurance For Trip Cancellation

Cancellation cover

Reasons why you can cancel your trip

Cancellation claims may be made for the following reasons, as long as they meet the terms and conditions set out in your policy wording. This only applies to policies purchased on or after 22 July 2026.


• Unexpected illness, injury or death: affecting you, someone else named on your policy schedule, your relative or colleague, a travelling companion, or a friend you'd arranged to stay with.
• Witness court attendance (but not as an expert witness) or jury service: if you or your travelling companion are required to attend.
• Cancelled leave: for eligible emergency or service workers in specific circumstances.
• Serious damage to your or a travelling companion's home: caused by events such as fire, flood, subsidence or burglary within seven days of departure.
• Involuntary redundancy: if you, your travelling companion, or your spouse, civil or cohabiting partner unexpectedly loses their job.
• A stolen passport or visa: if it's stolen during a burglary within seven days of departure and can't be replaced in time for your trip. If your passport is stolen during a burglary, use the Fast Track passport replacement service.
• Urgent treatment for your dog or cat: should they unexpectedly need life-saving treatment within 21 days of departure.
• Unexpected adoption proceedings: if they're scheduled during your pre-booked trip and prevent you from travelling.
• Pregnancy: if you discover you're pregnant after buying your policy or booking your trip, whichever happens later, and a medical practitioner advises you not to travel. You may also be covered if you'll be over 35 weeks pregnant by the end of your trip (or 31 weeks for a multiple pregnancy).

Per person or per policy?

Cancellation limits are generally per person, per trip on UK policies; always check your schedule and wording. Excesses also often apply per person/claim.

How to make a travel insurance claim for cancellation

Step 1: Contact your providers first (airline, hotel, tour operator) – collect written confirmation of refunds/credits declined.

Step 2: If they can’t help, make a claim with your supporting documents.

Step 3: Keep receipts and emails until your claim is settled.



Flight Cancellations

If your flight is cancelled by the airline, UK law (CAA guidance) says you must be offered a refund or rerouting at the earliest opportunity. You’re also entitled to care and assistance (meals, communications and, if overnight, accommodation) while you wait.

Eligibility for compensation depends on notice and cause, and “extraordinary circumstances” (e.g. severe weather) don’t qualify.

Travel insurance generally does not cover airline flight cancellations.

Tip: For package holidays, you may have additional protections through your tour operator/ATOL; check their refund policy first.


Cancel for any reason travel insurance: what it means

You might have heard about 'cancel for any reason travel insurance'. In the UK, standard policies don’t cover “change of mind”, which is why you won’t be able to claim simply because you no longer wish to travel.

Some companies offer cancel-for-any-reason-style add-ons that reimburse a partial share of trip costs when you cancel for reasons outside standard cover. Availability and reimbursement percentages vary by provider. Always check your schedule and policy documents.


Why choose Holiday Extras cover?

Our travel insurance is simple, with emergency medical cover, 24/7 emergency support, and AnywhereGP for non-urgent advice. Every policy also includes protection for both cancellation and curtailment. Getting covered is quick and simple, with instant quotes online and easy medical screening.


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Planning a one-off getaway? Our single-trip travel insurance has you covered. If you travel more than once a year, save time, money and hassle with our Annual insurance – perfect for holidays abroad and UK getaways, all year round.




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Holiday Extras Travel Insurance is sold and administered by Holiday Extras Cover Limited, registered office address: Ashford Road, Newingreen, Hythe, Kent CT21 4JF.

Holiday Extras Cover Limited is an insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, registration number 828848. You can check this on the Financial Services Register by visiting: http://register.fca.org.uk

Holiday Extras™ is a Trading Name of Holiday Extras Cover Limited. The insurance is underwritten by Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited. Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited is a company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 13436330 and whose registered office address is 1 Fen Court, London, United Kingdom, EC3M 5BN.

Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Firm Reference Number 955859. You can check this on the Financial Services Register by visiting: http://register.fca.org.uk

Our flight delay cover is underwritten by Astrenska Insurance Limited and serviced by Collinson Insurance Services Limited.