How Does Ticket Insurance Work & What Does It Cover?

Ticket insurance offers financial protection for non-refundable event tickets when unforeseen circumstances prevent attendance. It provides a means to recoup costs if you are unable to use your tickets due to covered reasons. The core purpose of ticket insurance is to mitigate the financial loss associated with tickets that cannot be resold or refunded by the original vendor.

What Ticket Insurance Covers

Ticket insurance generally covers a range of specific, unexpected events that keep a ticket holder from attending an event. Common covered reasons include serious illness or injury to the ticket holder or a close family member, which prevents attendance. Unexpected travel delays, such as flight cancellations, mechanical breakdowns of a vehicle on the way to the event, or significant traffic accidents, are also frequently covered.

Coverage often extends to unforeseen work obligations that require your presence, jury duty, or military orders. If your home becomes uninhabitable due to fire, flood, or other natural disasters, this can also be a covered reason. In the unfortunate event of a death of the ticket holder, a travel companion, or an immediate family member, policies typically offer coverage.

While coverage specifics vary by provider, certain situations are generally not covered. Simply changing your mind about attending the event or forgetting the event date are not covered reasons. Event cancellation by the organizer is also usually excluded, as refunds for such cancellations typically come directly from the ticket vendor. Policies often exclude pre-existing medical conditions and issues arising from negligence or illegal activities.

How to Purchase Ticket Insurance

Purchasing ticket insurance typically occurs during the initial ticket buying process. Many major ticket vendors offer the option to add insurance directly at checkout. Alternatively, you might purchase it from a third-party insurance provider, often within a specific timeframe after the initial ticket purchase, such as up to 30 days before the event.

When buying, you will generally need to provide details about the tickets, including the event date, location, and the cost. Personal information for the insured individual, such as name and contact details, is also required. The insurance charge is usually separate from the ticket price, and you will receive policy documentation detailing your coverage.

Making a Claim

If a covered event occurs, initiating a claim involves notifying the insurance provider. This can often be done through an online portal, via email, or by phone. Insurers usually send a claim form to be completed.

File claims promptly after the incident preventing attendance. Insurers are generally required to acknowledge receipt of a claim within 15 days and complete their investigation within another 15 days after receiving all necessary information. If approved, payment is often processed within five business days following the decision.

Specific documentation is required to support your claim, verifying the reason for non-attendance. This might include:

• Unused e-tickets or physical tickets.
• A doctor’s note for illness or injury.
• An official police report for an accident.
• Airline or carrier cancellation confirmations for travel issues.
• Official notices for jury duty or military service.
• Death certificates.

You will also need proof of payment for the tickets, such as a booking invoice or credit card statement. A clear, concise summary of what happened, including dates, times, and how the incident affected your ability to attend, is also important. Always review your specific policy documents for a comprehensive list of required items, as insufficient documentation can delay the claim review process.