Visa refusal: refund of insurance and premium

A visa refusal can come as a surprise, even when the documents appear to be complete. Many people buy in advance. visa insurance, because it is required to submit the application. When the consulate issues a negative decision, the question naturally arises: is it possible to get a refund for the policy, i.e., receive return of premium?

The answer is: often yes, but not always and not in every situation. The refund depends on the type of policy, whether coverage has already begun, and whether an incident has occurred or a claim has been filed. In this guide, we explain when it is realistic. return, what conditions usually need to be met and what documents need to be prepared in order to close the case efficiently.

In practice, insurers allow policies to be canceled and premiums refunded if the coverage has not been „used.” Many insurance policies include a provision stating that after visa refusal (e.g., Schengen), the policyholder may terminate the contract and receive a full refund if certain conditions are met. Most often, this involves not starting the trip and not filing any claims.

It is also worth remembering the general rule: if the contract is terminated before the end of the coverage period, the premium may be refunded. proportional to the unused period. Part of the General Terms and Conditions even states that each day of coverage that has begun counts as a full day, which affects the calculation of the refund amount.

If you bought visa insurance and you have received a negative decision, a refund is most likely if you meet all three criteria: the trip has not started, you have not filed a claim, and you can provide proof of visa refusal. These are the conditions that appear in the insurance documents for policies required for visa applications.

Before submitting a cancellation request, check how the insurer defines the start of liability. Sometimes coverage only starts on the date specified in the policy (or on the date of departure). This will make it easier for you to assess whether the policy was „active” for even a single day.

Not every visa refusal automatically means a refund. The most common obstacle is the fact that the coverage has already been used or an event has occurred that could result in a claim. The general terms and conditions of many insurance companies indicate that a refund of the premium is not due if the coverage has been „used in full,” e.g., a benefit exhausting the sum insured has been paid out.

Delays can also be a problem. If you cancel your policy after the insurance period has already begun, your refund may be reduced by the number of days that have already passed. Therefore, once you receive a negative decision, act quickly and immediately prepare a request to terminate the contract.

There are various types of coverage available on the market: medical insurance for visas, medical expenses insurance, and „travel cancellation” insurance. These are not the same thing. In the context of visas, it is usually medical insurance that is required, but customers sometimes confuse it with cancellation insurance. This is important because the scope and rules of reimbursement are different.

If you want to get the basics straight, start with the guide: medical expense insurance – who is it for?. It is also a good idea to check what the policy actually covers in the category scope of protection.

The procedure is usually simple: you submit a statement of resignation/termination of the contract and attach a supporting document. visa refusal. In many cases, a scan of the consulate's decision and the policy details are sufficient. If you purchased the policy online, the entire process can be done remotely, without visiting the office.

If you purchased insurance through the website, the following instructions may be helpful: how to purchase a policy online and the list: documents for purchasing insurance online. The same information is usually useful when contacting us about a return.