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The trip is booked, the excitement is building – and then suddenly something comes up. An illness, an accident, an emergency at home or unexpected events at your destination can throw your plans into disarray just before you set off. That’s exactly when you realise just how helpful travel insurance can be: it won’t take away the hassle, but it often takes the financial pressure off.
29.04.2026
Eliza
Photo: If you fall ill shortly before departure, travel insurance can protect you from high cancellation costs.
Your suitcase is almost packed, your travel documents are ready – and then suddenly you come down with a fever, a severe infection or some other illness. This is particularly frustrating just before departure, as many services have already been paid for.
If an illness means you are unable to go on your trip, travel insurance such as TravelProtect can help. It is important that your inability to travel is confirmed by a doctor. Whilst the disappointment remains, the financial consequences can be mitigated.
Photo: Accidents often happen unexpectedly – travel insurance can help if this means you are unable to set off on your trip.
An unfortunate fall, a sports injury or an everyday accident can be enough to suddenly derail travel plans. Anyone who is no longer fit to travel shortly before departure is often faced with the question: what happens to the costs already paid?
Under the TravelProtect travel insurance policy, an accident involving the insured person is also covered if it prevents them from travelling as planned. Here too, the condition is that the inability to travel must be duly confirmed.
Photo: If a replacement at work is suddenly unavailable, travel insurance can protect you from the financial consequences.
This scenario is less obvious, but entirely realistic in everyday life: you’ve planned your absence, everything is organised – and then the very person who was supposed to cover for you at work is unable to do so.
TravelProtect travel insurance also covers the accident, illness or death of the person covering the insured person at work. This can be particularly relevant if, as a result, the trip cannot go ahead as planned at short notice.
Photo: If your passport or credit card is stolen just before you set off, travel insurance can help cover the costs.
Sometimes all it takes is a moment’s inattention: your bag’s gone, your passport’s missing, your credit card’s been stolen – and all this just before you’re due to set off. At a time like this, your trip can quickly be thrown into disarray, especially if your train, flight or accommodation has already been booked.
With travel insurance such as TravelProtect, the theft of public transport tickets, your passport or credit card can be covered from 24 hours before your departure. If this causes your departure to be delayed or prevents you from starting your trip as planned, any costs incurred – such as those for cancellation or delayed departure – may be covered.
Photo: Sometimes the situation at the destination changes so much that a trip can no longer go ahead as planned – for example, due to natural events such as volcanic eruptions or official travel advisories
A volcano erupts at your destination, severe storms cause chaos, unrest breaks out or a strike brings transport to a standstill – some travel obstacles don’t arise at home, but at your destination. Official travel warnings or advice to avoid a region for the time being can also completely alter travel plans shortly before departure.
With travel insurance such as TravelProtect, exceptional circumstances at the destination are among the situations in which cover may apply. If, as a result, the trip cannot go ahead as planned or departure is delayed, any costs incurred – such as those for cancellation or delayed departure – may be covered.
Photo: If a close relative falls seriously ill, travel insurance can provide some relief in a difficult situation.
The trip is planned, everything is organised – but then a phone call comes through that is suddenly more important than any booking. When a close relative falls seriously ill, your own trip often naturally takes a back seat.
If a family member falls ill and you are therefore unable to go on your trip, TravelProtect travel insurance may come into play. This is particularly important because such situations are emotionally stressful enough as it is. Good cover can at least prevent you from incurring additional high cancellation costs.
Photo: If a family member needs support following an accident, travel insurance can help alleviate the financial burden.
An accident within the family or among close friends can also disrupt travel plans at short notice. Perhaps a hospital visit needs to be arranged, or perhaps a loved one needs help with day-to-day tasks or support in taking the next steps. At times like these, it is understandable that the trip is no longer the main priority.
Travel insurance such as TravelProtect also covers an accident involving a family member as a situation in which cover may apply. If, as a result, the trip cannot go ahead as planned or departure is delayed, any costs incurred – such as those for cancellation or delayed departure – may be covered.
Photo: A burglary just before a trip can throw a spanner in the works – travel insurance can at least help cover the costs.
Just before your holiday, your mind is already halfway there. But if there’s a sudden burglary, everything changes: the police, reporting the damage, securing your home, replacing documents or cards – all of this takes time and attention.
A burglary at your home is covered under TravelProtect travel insurance. In such cases, the insurance can help if you are unable to go on your trip as a result, or if you have to delay your departure.
Photo: If your home is damaged by fire, water or natural disasters, travel insurance can provide vital support.
Serious damage to your own home can also make travelling impossible. Water damage shortly before departure, a fire or a natural disaster are situations that require quick decisions and organisation.
TravelProtect travel insurance covers serious damage to your home resulting from a natural disaster, a fire or water damage. This is particularly helpful if you are suddenly needed at home instead of being away as planned.
Photo: In difficult times, the trip itself takes a back seat – travel insurance can help ease financial worries.
There are occasions when travel plans suddenly become unimportant. A death in the family or among close friends is one such event. In situations like these, other matters take precedence: saying goodbye, supporting loved ones, making arrangements, being there for them. At times like these, nobody wants to be thinking about cancellation policies, deadlines or costs that have already been paid.
That is precisely why it makes sense for travel insurance to take such difficult situations into account. With TravelProtect, the death of a relative can be one of the circumstances in which cover applies if the trip cannot go ahead as originally planned. The insurance does not take away the emotional burden – but it can prevent additional financial worries from arising.
Photo: Travel insurance can ensure that an unexpected situation does not lead to additional financial problems.
With TravelProtect, travel cover is linked to the Swiss Bankers Travel Card. To ensure that travel insurance is valid in the event of an emergency, the cover should be activated in good time – that is, before you pay for your flight, hotel or other travel services. Once everything is sorted, the travel cover is valid for 12 months.
Here’s how it works:
Download the Swiss Bankers app: Install the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Order your card: Register in the app using your ID or passport and order the Swiss Bankers Travel Card.
Top up your balance: Top up your Travel Card with at least CHF, EUR or USD 1,000.
Activate Travel Protect: You can then activate the free travel insurance for 12 months.
Important before booking: The insurance cover must be activated before payment is made. Furthermore, the trip must be paid for in full using the insured card in order to be eligible for benefits.
Conclusion: Travel insurance cannot prevent plans from changing. However, it can ensure that an unexpected situation does not lead to an additional financial problem. It is therefore worth checking your cover in good time before your trip – ideally before paying for flights, hotels or other travel services.
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