Travel insurance cancellation cover

Help protect your holiday costs if life throws you a curveball.

If you’ve booked your trip and have a valid reason to call it off, cancellation cover may help you get back some of your eligible non-refundable costs. You could claim between £1,000 and £5,000 depending on your level of cover, with the option to extend this to a maximum of £25,000 for an additional premium.


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).

Cancellation cover

What we cover if your trip gets cancelled

If your claim meets our terms and conditions, we will cover pre-paid, non-refundable costs up to the value of your policy limit.


Examples of things you could claim for include:


  • Travel and accommodation expenses
  • Airport or port parking
  • Car hire
  • Airport lounge passes
  • Excursions
  • Travel permission costs (such as visas)
  • Wedding and civil partnership costs (if you have added wedding cover to your policy)
Curtailment cover

What we cover if your trip is cut short

We know that things can also go wrong while you're away, so we've built in cover for curtailment too. This means we may be able to refund the cost of your unused accommodation and excursions, plus help with any extra expenses that might be incurred to get you home early.


Valid reasons to claim may include:


  • Unexpected illness, injury or death (subject to you contacting our assistance team)
  • Being required to attend court or serve on a jury
  • Cancelled leave (for members of eligible services)
  • Involuntary redundancy
  • Damage to your home caused by fire, flood, subsidence or burglary

Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and excesses apply to all of the above, so please read your policy wording for the full details.

Why buying travel insurance early makes a difference

Getting protection ahead of your journey means we have your back before you’ve even left.

For single-trip insurance, cancellation cover starts as soon as you buy the policy, with other benefits kicking in after you begin your holiday.

For annual multi-trip options, you’re covered for cancellations from the date you select when booking your policy. Choose one that provides suitable cover while ensuring that all of your breaks fall within the 12-month policy period.

We offer a range of options so you can decide which cover best fits your needs. Have a look at our Bronze, Silver and Gold levels for all the details.




Your questions, answered


Disclaimer: Cover, limits and excesses vary by policy, cover level and optional extras selected. Eligibility criteria, terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Please read the Insurance Product Information Document and policy wording before buying.

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 Extrasâ„¢ 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.