Can I cancel my trip for free if a family member falls ill?
December 16, 2023 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Fred Kock
Dear Sir or Madam,
I have a question regarding my upcoming trip and I hope you can help me.
I was planning to take a vacation in a few weeks, however, the situation in my family has unexpectedly changed. A family member has become seriously ill and urgently needs my support and care.
Due to this unforeseen development, I am unsure if it is possible to cancel my trip for free. The current situation is that I am unable to take the trip as my family obligation takes priority.
My concern is that I have already spent a lot of money on the trip and I am unsure if I can get a refund. Is there a possibility in such a case to cancel the trip free of charge or at least get some of the costs back?
I would be very grateful if you could provide me with possible solutions or recommendations. It is important for me to make the best decision in this difficult situation.
Thank you in advance for your support and advice.
Sincerely,
Tina Fuchs
Dear Mrs. Fuchs,
I understand that you are in a difficult situation and I will do my best to help you with your concern. In such cases, it is important to inform yourself about your rights and options in case of a travel cancellation.
First and foremost, I would like to emphasize that there are special regulations in travel law for unforeseen events such as a serious illness in the family. Normally, trips can only be cancelled free of charge if there is a valid reason listed in the terms and conditions of the travel operator or insurance. A serious illness of a family member often counts as such a reason.
Therefore, my first advice to you would be to check the contract conditions of your travel insurance and the travel operator to see if a cancellation is possible in your case. Often, there are specific clauses that allow for a cancellation for family reasons and enable you to receive a refund of the costs.
If your travel insurance or the travel operator do not offer a free cancellation, you can still try to reach a goodwill solution. In such cases, it is advisable to contact the travel operator directly and explain your situation in detail. Often, companies are accommodating and offer at least a partial refund of the costs.
It is also important to note that you may be entitled to a refund of costs if you have taken out a travel cancellation insurance. These insurances often cover the costs for unforeseen events such as a serious illness in the family. Therefore, also check the conditions of your insurance.
Overall, I recommend contacting the travel operator and the insurance early on to clarify your situation and find possible solutions. I wish you success and hope that you find a satisfactory solution for your concern.
Best regards,
Fred Kock
