Kristina Yordanova and her expert team develop and enhance Groupama's travel insurance products. They recently introduced new features to Trip Cancellation insurance, making it as useful and convenient as possible for customers. Kristina shares why this coverage belongs in every travel plan.

Tell us why Trip Cancellation insurance exists and why we need it?

- Sometimes, even at the start of winter, we begin daydreaming about warm summer beaches. I'm definitely one of those people. Others start planning the next ski season and fresh slopes as soon as they pack away their gear. Long before the peak tourist season arrives, you can often secure your dream holiday at a much better price. But you have to grab the deal early and plan well in advance.

We created our insurance for all of us—dreamers, travellers, and deal-seekers alike. We wanted to help people dream big while minimising the risks that come with early planning, bookings, and ticket purchases. What's more, Trip Cancellation helps not only bold dreamers, but also those who hesitate to book early for peak season simply because they aren't sure how things will turn out three or four months down the road.

Trip Cancellation is an easy, affordable way to protect the money set aside for a family holiday or an exotic getaway. That way, you can soften the blow if the trip falls through.

Tell us more—how exactly does an insurance policy achieve all that?

- It's just as simple to explain as it is to get covered. I could go into a lot of detail, but I'll keep it concise—at Groupama, we like to keep things clear.

Everyone can choose from three tailored packages depending on their needs:

1. You can insure just the ticket cost, covering ticket losses if unforeseen circumstances beyond your control prevent you from travelling

2. You can choose a plan that covers the period up until the start of the trip itself—protecting against events that lead to cancellation

3. With the comprehensive plan, we also cover unexpected plan changes during the trip itself—whether it's returning early or staying longer due to an incident. Most of us have faced a situation where an emergency at home or a health issue while travelling forced an early trip interruption, or a medical issue meant extending our stay. Even here, Groupama covers losses from prepaid accommodation or travel bookings.

You mention it's easy. How can we buy the policy, and when should we take it out?

- That's the best part—it takes just a few minutes. If you're organizing the trip yourself, you can buy it in a few clicks directly on Groupama's website. There are only three steps, and on the third, you pay by card and you're set. It's even faster and easier than booking a hotel.

You can also request this product through your travel agency, or visit one of our offices.

Even if you forgot about insurance while making all your other plans, you can still purchase it later. The only requirement is that there are at least 31 days left before your trip starts.

For maximum clarity and convenience, you'll see your exact price right away on step one—without having to enter personal details or upload documents. All you need are your destination, dates, and total booking cost.

Under what circumstances will Trip Cancellation reimburse our costs for an unused trip?

- We cover a wide range of life events that might force you to alter your travel plans. The main requirement is that these reasons are beyond your control and were unforeseen at the time of purchase. Covered reasons include:

Medical – a health issue or accident involving you or a family member

Domestic emergencies – vehicle breakdowns or property damage right before the trip that requires you to stay home and address it

Severe weather conditions that prevent departure and leave you unable to use your booking

Transport strikes в транспорта

Employment issues – unexpected dismissal or redundancy

In closing, the comprehensive package costs just 5% of your total ticket and booking price, making it a truly worthwhile addition to any travel plan.