Too ill to go on holiday? Your next steps explained

The suitcase is nearly packed and your departure date is getting closer. Then you become unwell – and the holiday you’ve been looking forward to suddenly feels uncertain.

If you’re too ill to travel, you may be able to recover some of your holiday costs through refunds from your travel providers or an eligible travel insurance claim. What you can recover depends on your booking terms, the reason for cancelling and your policy. Start by speaking to your doctor about whether you’re fit to travel.

There are a few things to work through, but taking them one at a time can make the next steps clearer.

1. Speak to your doctor about whether you can travel

It can be tempting to wait and hope you’ll feel better by departure day. But if you’re unsure whether you’re well enough to go, speak to your GP or treating medical team.

Explain when you’re due to leave, where you’re going and what the trip involves. Ask whether you’re fit to travel and whether your plans need to change.

If you need to cancel because of illness, you’ll need a medical certificate confirming that cancelling your trip is medically necessary. This needs to be completed by the GP of the person whose illness caused the cancellation.

Check the claims requirements before requesting paperwork, so your doctor has the right form to complete.

2. Contact your travel providers about your bookings

Once you know you need to cancel, tell your airline, accommodation provider or holiday organiser straight away. If you booked through a travel agent, contact them too. Waiting could increase the cancellation charges – and JustCover won’t cover extra charges caused by delaying notification.

Ask:

• Can I receive a full or partial refund?
• Can I move the booking to another date, and what would that cost?
• What cancellation charges apply?
• Can you confirm the refund and cancellation charges in writing?

Being unwell does not automatically mean every booking will be refunded. Your options depend on the booking terms and circumstances.

For package holidays, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) explains that cancelling yourself may mean losing your deposit or paying a cancellation fee. Charges usually increase as departure gets closer.

For separately booked accommodation, check the cancellation deadline and whether your rate allows a refund. Keep a list of each booking so you can track what has been cancelled and what remains outstanding.

If you’re still getting medical guidance, check these deadlines and ask when cancellation charges increase, so you understand your options while deciding your next steps.

3. Check how your travel insurance could help

Start by checking what your travel providers can refund. If you’re left with costs you can’t get back, your travel insurance may help.

JustCover’s cancellation cover can include your share of unused flights, accommodation, excursions, tours and activities you’ve paid for or agreed to pay for. You must need to cancel for a reason covered by your policy. Whether you can claim, and how much you could receive, also depends on your cover limit, any excess and the policy’s exclusions.

Read your policy wording and insurance certificate, paying particular attention to:

• Covered reasons: Does the cancellation section include your circumstances?
• Cover dates: Was cancellation cover in place when the problem arose?
• Cancellation limit: How much cover applies to each insured person?
• Excess: What amount would you need to pay towards a claim?
• Medical conditions: Were relevant conditions declared and accepted for cover?

With our Annual Multi-Trip travel insurance, cancellation cover starts when you book the holiday or when your policy starts – whichever is later.

Contact your insurer or claims team if anything is unclear. Tell them what has happened and ask what evidence they need, including details of any refunds available from your travel providers.

A medical certificate confirms why you need to cancel, but it does not guarantee that every cost will be covered.

4. Keep the documents needed for your claim

When you’re feeling unwell, paperwork may be the last thing you want to deal with. Keeping everything together can make submitting your claim easier.

Our cancellation claims guidance lists:

• Your booking invoice
• Your insurance certificate
• A completed claim form or online claim
• Cancellation invoices showing the amount paid and any full or partial refund
• A GP-completed medical certificate for a medical cancellation

Additional evidence may be requested. Keep copies of the documents you submit, along with emails from your travel providers.

Our claims page for the process that applies to your policy. The emergency medical helpline is for medical emergencies while away; use the cancellation claims route for a holiday you cannot take.

What if an existing medical condition gets worse?

A flare-up of an existing condition can affect your plans just as much as a new illness.

Cancellation cover may help if JustCover has accepted your condition in writing and your doctor confirms that cancelling is medically necessary. Your claim will still need to meet the policy’s cancellation requirements.

Even if you’ve already told us about your condition, you must let us know if your health or medication changes. This also applies to anyone else insured on your policy.

Speak to your doctor and contact JustCover as soon as possible, before booking, travelling or paying the balance or further instalments towards your trip. We’ll explain whether the change affects your cover or price, including whether any restrictions apply or cover can continue.

Can you buy travelinsurance after becoming ill?

If you’re already unwell, buying travel insurance now may not cover you if that illness means you need to cancel. Our policy excludes claims linked to known events or circumstances you were aware of when buying your insurance or before booking your trip.

If you’re concerned that your illness could affect your holiday, do not assume a new policy will cover the cancellation. Speak to the insurer about your circumstances before buying.

For future holidays, consider arranging travel insurance when you book. Check when cancellation cover begins and choose a limit that reflects the costs you could lose.

If illness changes your plans

Missing a holiday is disappointing, especially when you’ve spent time saving and planning for it.

Start with your health, then work through your bookings and insurance. Getting medical evidence, checking refunds and keeping clear records can help you understand what money you may be able to recover – and give you more space to focus on getting better.

If you need to make a cancellation claim, visit our claims page to check the process and documents required for your policy.