Whether you can cancel travel insurance and get a refund depends on when you cancel and what type of policy you bought

Most travel insurance policies allow cancellation within 14 days of purchase with a full refund, no questions asked. This is called the free look period or cooling-off period, and it exists in most states and countries. After that window closes, refund may be able to access depends on whether you have already filed a claim, whether the policy covers cancellation for any reason, and the specific terms your insurer wrote into your contract.

If you cancel after the free look period and have not filed a claim, you may get a partial refund called a pro-rata refund — meaning you get back the portion of your premium that covers the days remaining on your policy. Some insurers also offer a refund if your trip is cancelled by the airline or venue, or if you have a legitimate reason covered by your policy. The amount you receive, if anything, depends on your policy wording and when you cancel relative to your trip date.

Key Takeaways

  • You have 14 days from purchase to cancel most travel insurance policies and receive your full premium back, with no reason required.
  • After the free look period ends, refunds are only available if your policy includes cancellation coverage or if your trip is cancelled by the provider.
  • If you cancel after the free look period without a covered reason, you may receive a pro-rata refund for unused coverage, though some policies offer none.
  • The exact refund amount and conditions are printed in your policy document or the cancellation terms sent to you at purchase.
  • Refunds typically take 5 to 10 business days to reach your bank account or credit card after the insurer processes your request.

The 14-day free look period and full refunds

When you buy travel insurance, you enter a free look period that lasts 14 days from the date of purchase. During this time, you can cancel your policy and receive 100 percent of your premium back. You do not need to give a reason, and the insurer cannot charge a cancellation fee. This period is required by law in most U.S. states and by regulations in Canada, the UK, Australia, and the EU.

The clock starts on the date you receive your policy documents or confirmation email, not the date you book your trip. If you purchase insurance on Monday and receive your documents that same day, your 14-day window closes at the end of the day on the following Sunday. Check your confirmation email for the exact purchase date and the deadline to cancel.

To use the free look period, contact your insurer directly — by phone, email, or their website — and request cancellation. You do not need to provide a reason. The insurer will confirm the cancellation in writing and tell you when the refund will arrive. Most refunds appear in your bank account or on your credit card within 5 to 10 business days.

Cancellation after the free look period ends

Once the 14-day window closes, your refund options narrow significantly. At this point, the insurer treats your policy as active coverage, and cancellation is governed by the terms written into your specific policy. Read the "Cancellation" or "Refund" section of your policy document — this is where your actual rights are spelled out, and they vary widely between insurers and policy types.

Some policies state that no refund is available after the free look period, period. Others allow cancellation up to a certain number of days before your trip departure date — commonly 7, 10, or 14 days — and refund a portion of your premium. A few policies offer any-reason cancellation coverage, which means you can cancel anytime and receive a refund, though usually capped at 50 to 75 percent of your premium. Check your policy wording or call your insurer to learn which rule applies to you.

Pro-rata refunds for unused coverage

If your policy allows cancellation after the free look period but before your trip, you may receive a pro-rata refund. This means the insurer calculates how many days of coverage you used and refunds the cost of the unused days. For example, if you paid $200 for 30 days of coverage and cancel 10 days before your trip, you might receive roughly $67 back (10 days ÷ 30 days × $200).

The exact calculation depends on your insurer's method — some count calendar days, others count business days, and some round to the nearest week. The pro-rata refund also assumes you have not filed a claim. If you have already claimed benefits under your policy, most insurers will not refund any portion of your premium, even if you cancel before your trip.

Your policy document should explain how pro-rata refunds are calculated. If it does not, ask your insurer in writing and request a written response. This protects you if there is a dispute later about the amount you should receive.

When your trip is cancelled by the airline or venue

If your airline cancels your flight, your hotel closes, or your cruise line cancels your departure, you have a right to a refund from the travel provider — but travel insurance is separate. Your travel insurance policy may cover the cost of rebooking on a different date or the cost of cancelling your trip entirely, depending on your coverage type. However, the insurer will not refund your insurance premium simply because your trip was cancelled.

What you should do: First, get a refund or credit from the airline, hotel, or cruise line. Then, if you have trip cancellation coverage, file a claim with your insurer for any non-refundable costs you incurred (such as a tour operator fee or activity booking). Your insurance refund is separate from your travel provider refund and depends on what your policy covers.

Refunds when you have already filed a claim

If you have filed a claim under your travel insurance policy — for a medical emergency, lost luggage, trip delay, or any other covered event — you cannot cancel the policy and receive a refund. The insurer will not refund your premium once a claim has been submitted, even if the claim is still pending. This is true whether you cancel during the free look period or after.

If you filed a claim and later want to cancel, contact your insurer and ask whether the claim has been fully resolved. If it has, you may be able to cancel and receive a pro-rata refund for the remaining coverage period. If the claim is still open, you must wait for the insurer to settle it before cancelling.

How to request your refund

Contact your travel insurance company using the method listed on your policy documents or confirmation email. Most insurers accept cancellation requests by phone, email, or online portal. Provide your policy number, full name, and the date you want the cancellation to take effect. Request written confirmation of the cancellation and the refund amount.

Keep a record of every communication — save emails, note the date and time of phone calls, and record the name of the person you spoke with. If your refund does not arrive within the timeframe the insurer promised, follow up in writing and reference your cancellation confirmation number.

If the insurer denies your refund claim or offers less than you believe you are owed, file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner or, if you purchased from an international insurer, with the relevant regulatory body in that country. Provide copies of your policy, your cancellation request, and the insurer's response.

Refund timelines and payment methods

Most insurers process refunds within 5 to 10 business days of receiving your cancellation request. The refund is typically returned to the original payment method — the credit card or bank account you used to buy the policy. If you paid by check, the insurer may mail you a check instead, which can take an additional 5 to 10 days to arrive.

Some insurers offer faster processing if you cancel during the free look period. Check your confirmation email or policy document for the specific timeline your insurer promises. If a refund does not arrive by the stated date, contact the insurer and ask for a status update. Request the date the refund was processed and the confirmation number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel travel insurance if my trip is coming up in a few days?

Yes, you can cancel anytime, but your refund depends on when you cancel relative to your trip and your policy terms. If you are within the 14-day free look period, you get 100 percent back. After that, check your policy for the cancellation deadline — many policies require cancellation at least 7 to 14 days before departure to receive any refund. If you cancel after that deadline, you likely receive nothing.

What if I bought travel insurance through my credit card or airline?

The same rules apply, but the cancellation process may differ. Contact the credit card company or airline directly and ask for their cancellation procedure. They will tell you whether you are within the free look period and what refund you can expect. Keep records of all communications.

Do I lose my refund if I already used part of my trip?

Yes. Once you have begun using your trip — boarded a flight, checked into a hotel, or attended an event — your policy is considered active and in use. You cannot cancel and receive a refund at that point. Cancellation refunds are only available before your trip begins.

What happens to my refund if the insurer goes out of business?

Most states require travel insurers to hold reserves or carry insurance to protect customers if the company fails. Contact your state's insurance commissioner to learn what protection applies in your state. If the insurer is insolvent, you may be able to file a claim with a state guaranty fund, though recovery can take months.

Can I get a refund if I change my mind about the destination?

Only if you are within the 14-day free look period. After that, changing your mind is not a covered reason for cancellation unless your policy includes any-reason cancellation coverage. Check your policy wording or call your insurer to confirm whether this coverage is included.