What is Travel Abandonment?

Travel abandonment cover allows you to cancel your trip if your departure is significantly delayed and no alternative transport is provided within a specified time frame (typically 12 or 24 hours depending on your policy).

If you decide not to continue with your trip because of the delay and no suitable alternative travel arrangements are offered within this period, your travel abandonment cover may allow you to cancel your holiday and claim the unused costs.

The level of travel abandonment cover can vary depending on your travel insurance provider, so it’s important to check the policy wording carefully before purchasing. Please also note that this cover usually only applies if you decide to abandon your trip while you are still in the UK.

If alternative transport is offered within the time frame stated in your policy (usually 12 or 24 hours) and you choose not to travel, you may not be eligible for compensation.

It’s also important to be aware that you may not be covered if the cause of the delay was known before you travelled, or if you failed to check in or arrive at the boarding gate at the time instructed by your transport provider (such as an airline, train operator, or ferry company), there may also be additional exclusions attached to the policy preventing a claim so check your wording carefully.

When purchasing travel insurance, it’s better to be safe than sorry. This way you are not at risk of being left out of pocket, should you need to make a claim.

Travel abandonment cover is usually included as standard on many travel insurance policies, but the level of cover and the conditions can vary between providers.

Having this cover in place can help protect you financially if your trip is significantly delayed and you decide to cancel your journey because suitable alternative transport is not provided within the time frame stated in your policy.

Although it is often included automatically, it’s still important to read the policy wording carefully to understand exactly what is covered, any time limits that apply and the circumstances in which you would be able to make a claim. This will help ensure the policy you choose provides the level of protection that suits your travel plans.

Keep in mind that your travel insurance policy is there to help you get back to the same financial position you were in before the event took place. Therefore, if your transport is delayed but you are offered alternative transport within the time frame (usually 12 or 24 hours) you may not be eligible to make a claim under your travel insurance.

If you decide to abandon your trip due to a significant delay and your policy conditions are met, you may be able to claim back the costs of your unused travel arrangements through your travel insurance.

To make a claim, you’ll usually need to complete a claims form. This can normally be found on your insurer’s website, or you can contact your insurer directly for guidance on how to submit your claim. The exact process can vary depending on the provider, so it’s best to check their claims or contact us section for specific instructions.

When making a claim, your insurer will only reimburse you up to the limit stated in your policy. For example, if your flight cost £700 but your travel abandonment cover limit is £500, you would only be able to claim up to £500 and would need to cover the remaining £200 yourself.

You should also be aware that an excess may apply to your claim. This is the amount you must pay towards the claim yourself. For this reason, it’s important to review not just the cover limits but also the excess amount before purchasing your policy to ensure they provide the level of protection you are comfortable with.