When purchasing a flight ticket, cancellation insurance is often offered. But what exactly does it cover? Is it an effective solution to avoid losing money on a non-refundable ticket?

1. What Is a Flight Cancellation Insurance?

Cancellation insurance allows you to get reimbursed if an unforeseen event prevents you from flying. However, it doesn’t cover every scenario.

What cancellation insurance generally covers:

• Illness or hospitalization of the passenger or a close relative.
• Death of a relative.
• Professional or legal summons.
• Transport accident before the flight.

What is usually not covered:

• Change of mind.
• Administrative issues (expired passport, visa denied).
• Strikes and disruptions unless specifically mentioned.

2. Types of Cancellation Insurance

1. Insurance Included with Credit Cards

High-end cards (Visa Premier, Mastercard Gold, American Express) often include travel insurance.

2. Insurance Offered by the Airline

Some airlines offer optional insurance when booking the ticket.

3. Independent Travel Insurance

You can subscribe to a travel insurance policy from a specialized provider to cover multiple aspects of your trip.

3. How to Use Your Insurance?

1. Report the Incident

Contact your insurance provider as soon as you know you won’t be able to travel.

2. Provide Documentation

A medical certificate, death certificate, or court summons is usually required.

3. Wait for Validation and Reimbursement

The refund process may take from a few days to several weeks.

4. Alternatives if You Don’t Get Reimbursed

• Check if the airline offers to reschedule the flight.
• Use ResellMyFlight.com to resell your ticket.
• Choose to modify the ticket if allowed.

Conclusion

Cancellation insurances offer useful protection in case of unexpected events, but they don’t cover every situation. To avoid financial loss, it is recommended to choose the right insurance and, if necessary, resell your ticket through a specialized platform.