Trip Interruption Insurance

Author: Melissa A.

Published: October 16th, 2023 | Updated: October 16th, 2023
Read time: 4 mins

Nobody plans to end their trip early, but sometimes you must do so due to unforeseen circumstances that are out of your control. Therefore, trip interruption insurance is essential if you have trip costs you don’t want to lose, especially if your trip is costly.

What is trip interruption insurance?

Trip interruption insurance coverage is a post-departure benefit found in trip cancellation insurance. If your trip is unexpectedly cut short due to a covered reason indicated in your policy, and you must return home, it can reimburse you for the prepaid, nonrefundable, and non-transferable unused portion of your trip—for example, flights, accommodations, event tickets, excursion expenses etc. It can also reimburse you for additional transportation expenses to return home to Canada.

What does trip interruption cover?

The trip interruption coverage benefit typically covers reasons such as getting unexpectedly ill or injured on your trip, an evacuation at your destination, a natural disaster, a terrorist incident, a strike, being required to return home to work, jury duty, appearing in court, a medical emergency or death, and more. Ensure you read your travel insurance plan documentation in its entirety to know what events are covered.

Does trip interruption protection cover COVID-19?

COVID-19 is considered a known event; therefore, trip interruption protection typically won’t cover a trip interruption claim related to COVID-19. It’s entirely possible that your trip could be interrupted when the Canadian Government issues a COVID-19 travel advisory for a destination.

Does insurance for interrupted trips cover bad weather?

Yes, if you are forced to return home early from a trip because of bad weather, you may be covered under the trip interruption benefit in your policy. Insurance for interrupted trips typically covers adverse weather and natural disasters, for example, tropical storms, hurricanes, cyclones, typhoons, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, volcanic activity, and wildfires.

What is the difference between trip interruption and trip cancellation?

Trip interruption is post-departure. It’s when an unexpected event occurs once you have left home and during your trip when you have no choice but to return home earlier than planned. Trip cancellation is pre-departure. It’s when an unexpected event occurs before you leave home, and you must cancel your trip.

How does a trip interruption claim work?

When you purchase vacation interruption insurance, ensure you understand what your policy covers and does not cover. Read the terms, conditions, benefits, coverage limits and exclusions to know if you are eligible for a claim. Suppose your trip is interrupted because of an unexpected event covered by your policy, and you are filing a trip interruption claim. In that case, you must promptly submit the necessary documentation to support your claim that proves that you have suffered a loss to be eligible for reimbursement. For example, physician’s statements, hospital records, expense and itemized receipts, proof of payments, and unused tickets. When you provide proper accompanying documentation, your covered trip costs may be refundable up to the maximum amount for the trip interruption benefit.

How much is travel interruption insurance?

On average, travel interruption insurance coverage found in a trip cancellation or all-inclusive plan will cost approximately 4-10% of your total prepaid, nonrefundable trip cost. You can compare the best travel insurance plans by providing the most accurate trip cost to obtain a quote through us at InsureMyTrip. Because travel insurance is unique to each traveller, other factors affecting cost include your age, trip duration, limitations, deductibles, and the options and add-ons you choose.

Is trip interruption insurance worth it?

This is entirely up to you. However, trip interruption insurance coverage is worth the investment to protect your trip costs that you can’t afford to lose. It can financially save you if you need to unexpectedly return home early from your trip by reimbursing you for your already paid, nonrefundable, and non-transferable unused portion of your trip and additional transportation expenses you could incur. For the affordable amount you will pay for a policy, you can save yourself from other costly trip expenses.