A package holiday is when you book at least two elements of your trip together (such as flights, accommodation, or car hire) for one total price, and the trip lasts more than 24 hours or includes an overnight stay.
Independent travel is when you arrange each part of your trip separately (for example, booking your flights and hotel individually with different providers).
If you book a package holiday, the tour operator is responsible for delivering all parts of your trip. This means:
If your trip is cancelled or significantly changed, the tour operator must offer a refund or suitable alternative.
Many package holidays are protected by schemes such as ATOL (for flight-based packages) or ABTA, which provide financial protection.
If your package holiday is cancelled by the travel provider, you should contact your tour operator directly, as they are responsible for refunds or rearrangements.
Because of this, travel insurance does not cover:
Cancellation of a package holiday by the provider
Inability to travel due to changes in official travel advice (e.g. government restrictions).
Similarly, if your package holiday is disrupted (for example, delays or cancellations), the tour operator is responsible for resolving the issue.
Travel insurance will not cover costs that fall under the tour operator’s responsibility.
With independent travel, you are responsible for each part of your trip. This means:
If one element (like a flight) is cancelled, you may not automatically be refunded for other parts (like accommodation).
Travel insurance plays a more significant role in protecting your costs, depending on the circumstances.
Regardless of whether you book a package or travel independently, your insurance can still cover you for personal, unforeseen circumstances including but not limited to :
Illness or injury preventing you from travelling
Redundancy
Other insured reasons/ sections listed in your policy
In these situations, if you can’t obtain a refund from your provider, you can claim under your travel insurance (subject to policy terms and conditions).
Unlike package holidays, there is no single tour operator responsible for rearranging your trip if something goes wrong. Travel disruption helps to bridge this gap by providing cover for certain disruption scenarios (subject to policy terms and conditions).
This includes but is not limited to reasonable additional expenses to help you continue your journey or return home, such as:
Extra accommodation if your flight is delayed or cancelled
Alternative transport costs (e.g. new flights, trains, or transfers)
Costs to re-join your trip if you miss a departure due to a covered reason
Additional travel expenses if you need to make alternative arrangements
Etc
This provides support in situations where, on a package holiday, a tour operator would normally assist.
