Cancel Cover-More: The Right Way to Get Your Refund

How to cancel your Cover-More travel insurance policy in india

Understanding Cover-More's current position in india

Cover-More is a global travel insurance and assistance group, but its direct presence in the Indian consumer market has changed significantly. You need to know exactly what happened and why it affects your cancellation rights.

Cover-More exited the India travel insurance market in 2022 and no longer issues consumer travel policies directly to Indian buyers. Today, the company provides IT and support services in India rather than underwriting travel coverage. This means if you hold a travel insurance policy, it was almost certainly issued by a different insurer, even if it was marketed under the Cover-More brand or through a Cover-More distribution partner.

Why this matters for your cancellation

Your cancellation rights and refund eligibility depend entirely on who actually issued your policy, not on Cover-More's historical practices or current corporate structure. This is the critical first step: identify the real issuer.

Open your policy document or purchase confirmation email right now and look for phrases like "Issued by", "Underwritten by", or "Policy provider". The company name that appears here is the one you must contact to cancel. Tocancel emphasises this point because many consumers waste time trying to reach Cover-More directly when they should be contacting the actual underwriter.

What you cannot do

You cannot contact Cover-More directly in India to cancel a travel insurance policy, because Cover-More does not manage Indian travel policies anymore. There are no India-specific helplines, online cancellation portals, or customer service channels run by Cover-More itself for travel insurance in India.

Attempting to reach Cover-More will delay your cancellation. Instead, you must identify and contact the actual issuing insurer or the agent and platform through which you purchased the policy. This is your legal right under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

Your consumer rights under indian law

India's Consumer Protection Act, 2019 gives you strong protections when cancelling travel insurance, regardless of who issued the policy or which brand it carried.

Your legal position

You have the right to cancel any consumer service if you have not yet used the coverage and the cancellation request is submitted within a reasonable timeframe. The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 protects you from unfair contract terms that attempt to deny you this basic right. Any clause that makes cancellation unreasonably difficult or strips you of a refund without clear justification is not enforceable.

You also have the right to receive clear, truthful information about how to cancel, what refund you will receive, and any deductions before you submit your request. The issuing insurer or agent must provide this information in writing, in plain language, and without charge.

Your escalation rights if the insurer refuses

If the issuing insurer denies your cancellation or delays processing it without reasonable cause, you have formal remedies. File a complaint with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), which oversees all insurance companies in India and has authority to compel fair cancellation practices.

You can also lodge a complaint with your state's Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission or the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission if the claim value exceeds the jurisdictional threshold. The burden of proof lies with the insurer to justify why your cancellation is invalid. Tocancel recommends keeping all communication in writing: emails, registered post receipts, and timestamped screenshots of online interactions. These documents form your legal evidence if you need to escalate.

How to identify your actual issuer and start your cancellation

Before you can cancel, you must know exactly who issued your policy, because that is where your cancellation goes.

Step 1: find your policy issuer

1. Check your policy document or purchase confirmation email for the issuer's name.
   • Look for "Issued by", "Underwritten by", or "Policy provider".
   • If you bought through an agent or online platform (such as MakeMyTrip, Airbnb, or another travel website), the platform name is NOT the issuer; the issuer appears separately on your policy.
   • If you cannot find the issuer's name, contact the platform or agent where you bought the policy and request the issuer's full name and contact details.
2. Locate the issuer's customer service contact details.
   • Check your policy document for a helpline number, email, or online portal.
   • If the details are not listed, visit the issuer's official website and search for "cancel policy", "customer support", or "claims and cancellations".
   • Write down the exact contact method: email address, phone number, and any online portal URL. Tocancel users often find that email is the most reliable and documented method.
3. Gather your policy details for the cancellation request.
   • Policy number (usually on your policy document or confirmation email).
   • Your full name as it appears on the policy.
   • Your date of birth (if required by the issuer).
   • The policy start date and coverage period.
   • Your preferred refund method (bank transfer, credit card reversal, or cheque).

Step 2: decide your cancellation method

The issuing insurer will offer you one or more cancellation channels. Each has different advantages for documentation.

Step 3: submit your cancellation request

1. Compose a clear cancellation message or email.
   • Include: "I request cancellation of my travel insurance policy number [your policy number] with effect from today's date [date]."
   • State your reason (optional, but helpful if you purchased within the free-look period and are still within it).
   • Specify your preferred refund method and bank details (if applicable).
   • Keep the tone professional and factual; avoid emotional language or complaints at this stage.
2. Send the request via your chosen method and retain proof of submission.
   • Email: save the sent message and read receipt.
   • Online portal: screenshot the confirmation page showing your submission date and reference number.
   • Phone: note the agent's name, call duration, and reference number; email confirmation within 24 hours.
   • Registered post: keep the receipt showing delivery date and tracking number.
3. Wait for acknowledgement and follow up if needed.
   • The issuer must acknowledge receipt of your cancellation within 5-7 business days (check your policy terms for the specific timeline).
   • If you do not receive acknowledgement within 7 days, send a follow-up email marked "Follow-up: Cancellation Request" and reference your original submission date.
   • Tocancel advises escalating to the IRDAI only if the issuer ignores you for more than 14 days or refuses cancellation without explanation.

Understanding your refund timeline and amounts

Your refund depends on when you cancel and what your policy terms state about deductions.

Free-look period refunds

If you cancel within 14 days of purchasing your policy (called the "free-look period"), you are entitled to a full refund of all premiums, regardless of any other terms. This is guaranteed under insurance regulations in India. No deductions are allowed during this window, even if you have accessed customer service or downloaded policy documents.

The 14-day period begins on the day you purchase the policy, not on the day your coverage starts. If you bought the policy on 1 January and coverage begins on 5 January, your free-look period ends on 14 January.

Refunds after the free-look period

After 14 days, the issuer may deduct cancellation fees or administrative charges. These are permitted, but they must be reasonable and clearly stated in your policy terms. Common deductions include:

• Cancellation fee: typically 5-10% of the premium or a flat amount (such as INR 500).
• Proportionate earned premium: the insurer may keep a portion of the premium for the coverage period already provided (calculated day-by-day).
• Stamp duty and taxes: these are usually non-refundable.

Any deduction must be explicitly detailed in your policy document. If the issuer charges you a deduction that is not mentioned in the terms, it is unfair and you can dispute it with the IRDAI. Tocancel recommends always requesting an itemised refund statement so you can verify each deduction.

Refund timing

The issuer must process and release your refund within 30 days of approving your cancellation request. If the refund is to your bank account, allow a further 3-5 business days for the money to arrive. If 35 days pass without the money appearing, contact the issuer's finance department and request a refund status report.

Practical steps after your cancellation is approved

Once the issuer confirms your cancellation, your responsibilities continue until the refund appears in your account.

Confirm the refund amount in writing

Request the issuer to send you an itemised refund statement in writing (email is acceptable). This statement must show:

• Original premium paid.
• Deductions itemised (cancellation fee, earned premium, taxes).
• Net refund amount.
• Refund method and expected arrival date.

Do not accept a verbal confirmation. Ask for this statement in writing; it protects you if there is a dispute later.

Monitor your bank account for the refund

Mark the expected refund date on your calendar. If the refund does not appear within 35 days of cancellation approval, contact the issuer's finance department immediately. Provide your original cancellation request date, reference number, and the promised refund date.

If the issuer ignores your follow-up or delays further, file a complaint with the IRDAI (www.irdai.gov.in). Include copies of your cancellation request, the refund statement, and all follow-up correspondence. The IRDAI can compel the issuer to refund you plus interest if the delay is unreasonable.

Keep all documentation

Retain copies of your policy, cancellation request, acknowledgement email, refund statement, and bank transaction showing receipt of the refund for at least three years. If a dispute arises, these documents are your proof. Tocancel users often discover that organised records are the difference between a quick resolution and a prolonged complaint process.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling

Cancelling travel insurance can feel overwhelming, and small oversights often delay refunds or reduce the amount you receive.

Contacting Cover-More instead of the actual issuer

This is the most frequent error. You reach Cover-More's corporate office or international support, they tell you they no longer issue travel policies in India, and you are back to square one. Instead, check your policy document immediately and contact only the named issuer. This single step saves weeks of delay.

Submitting cancellation by phone without written follow-up

Phone confirmations are helpful, but they leave no documentary evidence. If a dispute arises, your word against the issuer's is weak. Always follow phone cancellations with a written email confirmation within 24 hours. The email becomes your proof of submission date, which is crucial for free-look period claims.

Forgetting to track the 14-day free-look window

If you are within the free-look period and you cancel after day 14, you lose your right to a full refund. Mark the exact end date of your free-look period in your calendar and submit your cancellation email at least two days before the deadline. Email servers have delays, and the issuer calculates the submission date from when they receive it, not from when you send it.

Accepting deductions without questioning them

If the issuer deducts fees that are not mentioned in your policy terms, challenge them immediately. Write to the issuer requesting an explanation and a revised refund statement. If they refuse, file a complaint with the IRDAI. Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers recover unfair deductions by asking clear, documented questions.

Not keeping records of your cancellation

If you cancel online, screenshot the confirmation page. If you email, save the sent message and any reply. If you phone, note the date, time, and agent's name. These records are your insurance against the issuer claiming they never received your cancellation.

When to escalate to the IRDAI or consumer authority

You have the right to file a formal complaint if the issuer refuses your cancellation or fails to refund you fairly.

Grounds for escalation

File a complaint with the IRDAI if:

• The issuer refuses your free-look period cancellation or denies a full refund within 14 days without legal reason.
• The issuer deducts fees or charges that are not listed in your policy terms.
• The issuer does not process your refund within 30 days of approving your cancellation.
• The issuer does not acknowledge your cancellation request within 7 days.
• You believe the issuer's action breaches your rights under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

How to file a complaint with the IRDAI

Visit www.irdai.gov.in and navigate to "Consumer Services" or "Grievances". Select "File a Complaint" and complete the online form with:

• Your full name and contact details.
• The issuer's name and policy number.
• A clear description of your issue (your cancellation was refused, or your refund is late).
• Copies of your policy, cancellation request, and correspondence with the issuer.
• The amount in dispute (your claimed refund).

The IRDAI will assign your complaint a reference number and notify the issuer. The issuer must respond within 30 days, and the IRDAI will investigate. This process is free and does not require a lawyer. Tocancel emphasises that the IRDAI's role is to enforce your consumer rights, and they take systematic issuer misconduct seriously.

Checklist for cancelling your Cover-More or Cover-More-distributed policy

Use this checklist to track your progress and ensure you do not miss any critical step.

How tocancel can help you cancel with confidence

You now have a clear roadmap for cancelling your Cover-More policy or any policy sold under the Cover-More brand in India. The key is identifying your actual issuer and following the documented steps we have outlined.

Tocancel is here to support you at every stage. If you are unsure whether you have identified the correct issuer, if the issuer disputes your cancellation, or if your refund is delayed, Tocancel can help you understand your rights and escalate appropriately. Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers navigate India's travel insurance cancellations, and we know exactly how insurers respond to fair pressure and evidence.

Your refund is your money. The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and the IRDAI regulations are designed to protect you, and Tocancel is designed to help you use those protections. If you have submitted a cancellation and the issuer is not responding, or if you have questions about your refund timeline or the deductions on your statement, reach out. Tocancel's transparent, documented approach has recovered thousands of unfair refunds and resolved cancellations that seemed stuck.

Start today: find your policy issuer, submit your cancellation via email (so you have proof), and track your refund through to your bank account. Tocancel is with you at every step.