Travel insurance with or without cancellation cover

The list of cancellation reasons is exhaustive

Cancellation insurance only pays out for a reason that is expressly stated in the conditions. Illness, an accident, the death of someone close, involuntary loss of your job and serious damage to your home are usually on the list. Fear of unrest, a negative travel advisory or a change of plan are not. If you want wider cover, look at an all-risks cancellation version; that too works from a list, just a longer one.

Existing circumstances are excluded

Anything that was already known or foreseeable when you took out the policy is not covered. An existing illness, a planned operation or a redundancy already announced counts as a known circumstance. The same goes under the travel cover for a condition you have not declared. When you take out the policy, the duty of disclosure applies under Article 7:928 of the Dutch Civil Code; a breach can reduce the payout or cause it to lapse (Article 7:930 of the Dutch Civil Code).

Article 7:928 of the Dutch Civil Code

What is not covered anywhere

Recurring exclusions are intent and recklessness (Article 7:952 of the Dutch Civil Code), damage while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, luggage left unattended, taking part in speed contests and travel to areas with a negative travel advisory. The insolvency of the tour operator also falls outside the policy: there is a guarantee fund for that, which the provider may or may not have joined. Fines are not reimbursed.

Call before you arrange anything

If you fall ill, are admitted to hospital or have a serious breakdown, first call the emergency assistance centre. It issues a guarantee of payment, assesses medical necessity and arranges transport. Costs you incur yourself without consulting them are often only partly reimbursed. Report a claim as soon as you reasonably can, as Article 7:941 of the Dutch Civil Code requires, and keep invoices, police reports and medical certificates to support the claim.