You made the reservations six months ago. You’ve packed everything you could possibly need for your vacation, from flipflops to sunglasses. But even the best planned trips can be derailed by circumstances beyond your control. What
should you do if your trip gets cancelled?
Do your best to reschedule cancelled flights
If you miss a flight or are otherwise delayed, you need to make reasonable efforts to continue your
trip. Find the nearest customer service desk to reschedule your flight as quickly as you can. You can
also try calling the airline on your mobile phone or going online to reschedule your flight. If you have
a travel insurance plan through Allianz Global Assistance, our 24-hour hotline assistance can help.
Know the difference between a trip interruption and trip cancellation
If you experience a hiccup in your travel plans that slows you down or sends you home a little early,
that’s considered a trip interruption. But if you miss more than half of the total length of your trip
because your travel is delayed, this situation may be considered a trip cancellation for insurance
purposes.
Trip cancellation insurance gives cash back for prepaid, nonrefundable payments if you have to cancel
your trip for one of the reasons covered by your policy. It also may cover the extra cost of single
accommodations if your travel companion canceled his or her trip for a covered reason.
Document everything
If you purchased trip cancellation insurance, you’ll need to submit documentation that shows why your
trip was cancelled and the total amount you need to be reimbursed. Save every email and piece of
paper related to your trip, including:
• Receipts and itemized bills for all expenses.
• Original of any refunds or expense allowances received from your tour operator, travel agency,
Common Carrier, resort, property management company or other entity.
• Copy of your resort invoice/vacation rental contract or confirmation.
• Any appropriate documentation that officially explains the cause of your trip cancellation or
interruption.
• Any explanation of medical diagnosis along with your original itemized bills, receipts and proof of
other insurance payments.
• Original unused tickets, copies of invoices, proof of payments and other documents that
substantiate the cost or occurrence of the trip cancellation or interruption.
• Documentation of refunds received.
• Copy of the supplier’s literature that describes penalties.
• A letter from the tour operator or an itemized bill from the travel agent stating the non-refundable
amounts of the trip costs.
Contact your travel insurance provider
If you purchased trip cancellation insurance, it’s essential to let your insurance provider and your
travel supplier know as soon as possible that your trip has been cancelled. If you cancel your trip for a
covered reason, you must notify your travel supplier(s) within 72 hours of the cancellation to qualify
for the largest reimbursement possible.