Holidaymakers fear disruption – but illness and family emergencies account for almost 9 in 10 cancellation claim costs

New research from Just Travel Cover reveals a gap between what travellers worry about and what actually causes holidays to be cancelled.

Travel disruption may dominate the headlines, but new data suggests illness, injury and family emergencies are far more likely to stop a holiday from going ahead.

Research conducted by Travel Insurance specialist Just Travel Cover found that travel disruption is among the biggest concerns for holidaymakers, with stories about airline delays, industrial action, extreme weather and global events continuing to influence travellers’ perceptions.

However, analysis of 2,392 Travel Insurance claims found a very different picture when it comes to the reasons holidays are actually cancelled.

More than four in ten claims (43%) were for cancellation or curtailment and travel disruption accounted for just 8% of those cancellation claim costs.

By contrast, illness, injury, family illness and bereavement accounted for almost nine in ten (89%) cancellation claim costs.

The analysis, based on claims from policies underwritten between March 2024 and December 2025, found:

• 2,392 claims analysed
• 1,036 cancellation and curtailment claims
• Cancellation and curtailment claims accounted for 43% of all claims
• Illness, injury, family illness and bereavement accounted for 89% of cancellation claim costs
• Travel disruption accounted for just 8% of cancellation claim costs
• The average cancellation claim was £869
• The largest cancellation claim was £12,562 following a pre-departure illness

Examples included:

• A family holiday cancelled after a child contracted chickenpox shortly before departure, resulting in a £5,300 claim.
• A traveller requiring emergency surgery before travel, leading to a £12,562 cancellation claim.
• A family forced to cancel a trip to Turkey after their daughter was hospitalised, resulting in a claim of almost £7,000.
• A travelling companion receiving a serious medical diagnosis shortly before departure, preventing the trip from going ahead.

The findings suggest that while travellers are understandably influenced by major news stories, the events most likely to affect a holiday are often much closer to home.

Dale Robinson, Director at Just Travel Cover, said:

“Travel disruption understandably captures people’s attention because it’s what they see in the headlines.

But when we analysed actual claims, the overwhelming majority of cancellation costs were linked to illness, injury, family illness and bereavement rather than disruption.

These are the kinds of unexpected events that can affect anyone, often long before a holiday begins.

 

What’s particularly striking is that many claims don’t involve the traveller themselves. A travelling companion becoming unwell, a close family member being hospitalised, or a bereavement can be enough to stop a holiday from going ahead. 

 

The findings are a reminder that Travel Insurance isn’t just about what happens overseas. Depending on the policy purchased, it can also help protect travellers before they leave home if unforeseen circumstances mean they need to cancel their
trip.”

While the findings highlight the importance of cancellation cover before departure, the claims analysis also reinforced why emergency medical cover remains one of the most valuable parts of a Travel Insurance policy.

Medical claims accounted for 56% of all claims costs, with 728 medical claims recorded during the period. The average medical claim was £1,919, while the largest exceeded £51,500 after a traveller required overseas hospital treatment, intensive care and repatriation by air ambulance.

Vered Lobel, CEO of OneBefore, said:

“The number that stood out to us was that emergency medical treatment abroad made up more than half of all claims costs – more than every other type of claim combined. It’s the cover people least expect to use, carrying the most weight.”

Mr Robinson added:

“Medical emergencies abroad remain one of the biggest financial risks travellers face. While cancellation cover can help protect your holiday before departure, emergency medical cover continues to be one of the most important parts of a Travel Insurance policy.”

Research conducted by Just Travel Cover among UK travellers in 2025. Claims analysis supplied by One Before and based on policies issued under the Just Insurance Agents Limited group, covering underwriting and transaction months from March 2024 to December 2025. Claims statistics:  Total claims: 2,392. Cancellation and curtailment claims: 1,036 (43%). Average cancellation claim: £869. Largest cancellation claim: £12,562. Medical claims represented 56% of all claims costs. Largest medical claim: £51,500+