The main causes for trip cancellations during the summer period, according to data from the previous year from InterMundial, a travel insurance specialist, were related to health issues of the traveler and their family members (73.5%), followed by work-related reasons (10.7%) and cancellation for any reason (9.3%).
Among the causes related to health, the majority—51.83% of the total—were due to a serious illness or accident, including unscheduled surgeries after the trip was booked, followed by cancellations due to various incidents involving first- and second-degree relatives (accident or death).
The second most significant cause corresponds to work-related matters, such as starting a new job (6.72%), changes to scheduled vacation time by the employer (3.86%), or the extension of an employment contract.
In third place are cancellations due to cancellation for any reason (9.35%), meaning the traveler does not need to provide any justification for the cancellation. Although some travel insurance policies on the market offer a long list of covered causes, having this option allows you to cancel a trip for reasons not yet covered by insurance companies.
Other reasons for trip cancellations include failing academic subjects or being denied the visa required for the trip.
Trip cancellation coverage in travel insurance
Canceling a trip refers to the act of terminating a travel contract or booking. This cancellation can be initiated by the service provider or by the traveler themselves, who may then be responsible for certain costs. For this reason, in addition to always reading the cancellation policy of the company with which you are booking services or a full trip, it is advisable to purchase travel insurance that includes cancellation coverage.
This way, if you need to cancel your trip, the insurance company will cover the cancellation costs, provided the reason is included in the insurance terms and conditions and is properly documented.
Travel insurance also includes protection for trip interruptions that require an early return. In these cases, the insurer will reimburse the proportional cost of the unused portion of the trip and, if applicable, will also cover the costs of transportation back to the traveler's point of origin.
According to Manuel López, CEO of InterMundial, "travel insurance should be seen as an effective tool that guarantees traveler protection. It not only protects against incidents we may encounter abroad but also offers users comprehensive coverage that, in the case of cancellations, leads to significant savings."
Cancellation coverage can be purchased on its own—as a standalone policy to cover a trip or part of one, such as flight tickets or a hotel reservation—or it can be included as part of a comprehensive travel policy with additional coverage.
InterMundial
InterMundial is the leading insurance broker specializing in sports and tourism in Spain. It has offices in Spain's major tourist cities and 7 commercial branches abroad (United Kingdom, France, Italy, Portugal, Mexico, Brazil, and Poland).
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