Travel Plans Washed Away? Will Your Insurance Cover Monsoon Cancellations?

 "I bought travel insurance to feel secure. But when my trip got cancelled due to floods, they just said: 'Sorry, it’s not covered.'"

 Sounds familiar? Believe us—We’ve been there 

Every year, as monsoon rains sweep across India, thousands of travel plans—from weddings in Kerala to work trips in Mumbai—are washed away. Flights get grounded, hotels close down, and trains come to a halt.

 After the excitement of tickets and itineraries, getting slapped by heavy rain or flooding can crush you. But here’s the question: Will your insurance company have your back… or leave you stranded? 

       1. The Hard Truth: Natural Calamity Cancellations Are Not Always Covered 

Even if you’ve bought a travel insurance policy thinking you’re covered for everything, natural calamities are one of those tricky grey areas. Here’s why your insurance claim might still get rejected:

       ● You bought the policy after the disaster was predicted

 If a flood, cyclone, or storm has already been named or forecasted, and then you buy travel insurance, it’s usually considered a “known event.” Insurers argue that you knowingly took the risk, which insurers often use as grounds for claim rejection for any related disruptions

      ● You travelled despite official warnings 

Headed to a location that had a “Do Not Travel” advisory from the government or local authorities? That’s a red flag that often leads to insurance claim-related issues or a straight forward claim rejection as many policies clearly state they won’t cover losses if you ignored formal travel warnings. 

      ● Your policy excludes certain disasters

 Not all natural disasters are treated equally. Some policies don’t cover “acts of God” like avalanches or volcanic eruptions. It all depends on the wording. Say your resort’s hotel itself was operational. In many cases, that doesn’t qualify for cancellation or disruption claims. Most insurers need proof that your destination was genuinely uninhabitable or your trip was more than 50% affected. 

      2. Where Most Policyholders Go Wrong 

      Many travellers buy insurance in a hurry or as a second thought post planning and packing without carefully checking the terms. And this opens the door to: 

      ● Mis-selling of insurance policy (where risks are not clearly explained) 

      ● Delay in claim process and responses when you try to get support  

      ● Unfair and confusing claim rejection 

By the time you realise your policy didn’t cover weather-related cancellations, it’s too late. 

      3. Real Case: A Cancelled Honeymoon, and No Refund 

Take the case of Ankit and Priya, a newlywed couple from Pune. They booked their honeymoon in Kerala months in advance—flights, resort, private tours—all insured under a “comprehensive” travel plan purchased online. 

Days before departure, torrential rains caused flooding across Kochi. Their resort shut down, the airport suspended flights, and the entire trip had to be cancelled.

 They filed a claim, assuming everything was covered. 

Instead, they received a polite email stating: 

       “Your policy does not cover trip cancellations due to natural disasters unless evacuation or injury is involved.” 

Shocked, they reviewed the fine print. It was true. No natural calamity clause. No refund. Just heartbreak and ₹1.2 lakh gone.  

Their experience triggered a complaint about insurance company procedures and how misleading the sales process had been. But the damage was done. 

        4. How to Handle a Claim Rejection

 There are some common gaps that lead to Insurance Claim-Related Issues and contribute to the delay in claim process, endless back-and-forths, and ultimately, claim rejection.

        ● No coverage for weather-related delays unless they exceed certain hours 

        ● Many policies include a ‘force majeure’ clause—meaning if nature intervenes, liability is waived and reimbursements are off the table

 But what can you do?

        ● See a Claim Being Rejected? Don’t Panic: If your genuine claim was rejected by the insurer, don’t panic and read the letter again. Then check your policy for details before escalating the matters with written complaints referencing policy sections with your insurer.
If unsatisfied, contact the IRDAI Grievance Redressal Cell or file a complaint with an experienced Subject Matter Expert. 

        ● Gather Proof Immediately: Keep weather warnings, screenshots of government advisories, cancellation notices from airlines/hotels. The stronger your documentation, the better your claim's chance.

       ● Contact Subject Matter Experts: In a rush to check boxes while planning travel, policyholders often miss out on crucial details. Seek the help of experts that can decode the jargon, highlight exclusions, and ensure you don’t fall victim to mis-selling of insurance policy, a leading cause of disputes and complaints.

 Final Thoughts 

Travel is supposed to be about memories, not miseries.
 But when the skies open up and your plans fall apart, only the right insurance can stand by you.

 Which is why Subject Matter Experts advise - Don’t just buy Insurance. Understand it. Don’t fall for vague terms like ‘comprehensive coverage’, always verify what that actually includes.. Ask the right questions, read the fine print, and if in doubt, pause and get expert guidance.

 Because the only thing worse than a cancelled trip… is realising your safety net had holes all along.