Cancellation insurance
You often think of health and car insurance when moving abroad but one often overlooked option is cancellation insurance (Annuleringsverzekering). This type of insurance protects you financially if unexpected circumstances force you to cancel or cut short a planned trip, course or event. if you frequently travel it can provide valuable peace of mind.
We explore in this section
Why do you need it?
Frequent travel
When you often fly back home or travel for work. If illness, family emergencies or other unexpected reasons mean you can’t travel, cancellation insurance covers non-refundable costs.
High upfront expenses
Plane tickets, hotels and holiday rentals in Europe can be expensive. Without cover, you could lose serious money.
Visa/residency issues
In rare cases, paperwork or residency complications might interfere with travel plans.
Extra security when you have a family
Families with children benefit most as sickness or emergencies are more likely to disrupt plans.
Pros and cons
Pros
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Covers non-refundable costs such as flights, hotels, courses, and tours.
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Reduces stress when booking far in advance.
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Often available as a one-time add-on (per trip) or annual coverage (useful for frequent flyers).
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Can include trip interruption (if you must return home early).
Cons
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Not every situation is covered—policies usually apply only to listed events (illness, death in the family, accidents, redundancy). Check the terms of your insurer.
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Extra monthly or per-trip cost, which may not pay off if you rarely cancel.
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Requires proof (medical certificate, employer’s statement, etc.) to claim.
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Some exclusions (e.g. pre-existing conditions, certain visa problems).
Is cancellation insurance common in the Netherlands?
In the Netherlands, travel insurance is very common, with about 78 percent of Dutch travelers having a policy, and more than half of them (54 percent) also including cancellation coverage, This reflects the Dutch tendency to insure themselves well, as many households carry multiple policies ranging from legal to term life. For expats, this is relevant because cancellation coverage is often bundled into continuous annual travel insurance, making it convenient and cost-effective for those who frequently travel back home or across Europe, offering protection against non-refundable costs if illness, emergencies, or other disruptions force a change of plans.
Recommended insurers
Allianz
Allianzis the Dutch branch of the global insurance and financial services conglomerate, Allianz SE. Headquartered in Rotterdam, it operates as an integrated provider of insurance solutions tailored to the Netherlands, offering a range of products—including cancellation, life, health and travel insurance
asr
ASR Nederland is one of the major insurance groups in the Netherlands, headquartered in Utrecht. Its offerings span non‑life (property & casualty), life insurance, income protection, pensions (individual and group), health and travel insurance, funeral plans, mortgages, and asset management.
Centraal Beheer
Centraal Beheer is one of the biggest insurance companies in the Netherlands with insurances for home, car, your bike and much more.