Travel insurance provides specific coverage for accommodation-related problems, but the scope depends on the type of disruption and policy terms. Accommodation issues covered typically include reimbursement for prepaid, non-refundable lodging costs if a trip is canceled or interrupted for covered reasons (such as illness, severe weather, or natural disasters), as well as additional expenses for overnight stays during travel delays. However, standard policies generally do not cover situations where accommodations are canceled by the provider (e.g., hotels or Airbnb hosts) unless the cancellation results in non-refundable losses or forces the traveler to incur higher costs due to unforeseen events.

Key findings from the sources:

• Trip cancellation/interruption covers prepaid accommodation costs if the trip is canceled for covered reasons like illness or natural disasters ^[1][10].
• Travel delays reimburse additional accommodation expenses when flights or transportation are delayed due to severe weather or carrier issues ^[2][8].
• Catastrophe cover includes additional lodging costs if accommodations become uninhabitable due to disasters ^[8].
• Standard policies do not cover accommodation cancellations by hosts/hotels unless the traveler faces non-refundable losses or higher rebooking costs due to unforeseen events ^[4].

Coverage for Accommodation Problems in Travel Insurance

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Coverage for Prepaid Accommodations

Travel insurance reimburses prepaid, non-refundable accommodation expenses if a trip is canceled or interrupted for covered reasons. This is one of the most common protections for lodging-related financial losses. Policies typically cover 100% of prepaid costs for cancellations due to unforeseen events such as sudden illness, injury, death of a family member, natural disasters, or jury duty. For trip interruptions, coverage extends to additional accommodation expenses if the traveler must return home early or extend their stay due to a covered event.

• Covered reasons for cancellation/interruption include:
• Sudden illness, injury, or death of the traveler, a family member, or a traveling companion ^[1][10].
• Natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes, earthquakes) that make the destination uninhabitable or unsafe ^[5][7].
• Jury duty or military deployment that conflicts with travel plans ^[10].
• Terrorist incidents at the destination occurring after the policy purchase ^[7].
• Reimbursement limits vary by policy, with some covering up to 100% of prepaid, non-refundable accommodation costs ^[1].
• Documentation requirements include proof of payment for accommodations and evidence of the cancellation reason (e.g., doctor’s note, weather alerts) ^[1].
• Exclusions apply to foreseeable events, such as pre-existing medical conditions unless the policy includes a waiver purchased within 14 days of the initial trip deposit ^[5][10].

For example, if a traveler books a non-refundable hotel for $1,200 and cancels due to a covered illness, the insurance would reimburse the full $1,200. However, if the cancellation stems from a pre-existing condition not covered by a waiver, the claim would be denied ^[5]. Similarly, cancellations due to fear of travel (e.g., pandemic anxiety) are not covered unless the policy includes a "Cancel For Any Reason" (CFAR) upgrade ^[3].

Additional Accommodation Expenses Due to Travel Delays or Disasters

Travel insurance also covers unplanned accommodation costs when delays or disasters disrupt original plans. This includes overnight stays during flight delays, additional nights due to natural disasters, or emergency lodging for medical reasons. The coverage is designed to mitigate financial burdens from unforeseen circumstances beyond the traveler’s control.

• Travel delay coverage reimburses reasonable accommodation and meal expenses when:
• Flights are delayed for 6+ hours due to severe weather, mechanical issues, or airline strikes ^[2][8].
• The delay is caused by a covered reason (e.g., a named storm disrupting airport operations) ^[5].
• Reimbursement limits typically range from $150–$300 per day, with a maximum of $500–$1,000 per trip ^[10].
• Catastrophe cover applies when accommodations become uninhabitable due to:
• Natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes, wildfires) forcing evacuation ^[8].
• Political unrest or civil disturbances making the area unsafe ^[7].
• Coverage includes costs for alternative lodging and transportation to a safe location ^[8].
• Medical emergency extensions cover additional accommodation costs if:
• The traveler or a companion requires hospitalization, delaying the return trip ^[1][10].
• A doctor certifies that the traveler is unfit to fly due to illness or injury ^[1].
• Exclusions for delay-related accommodation costs include:
• Delays caused by foreseeable events (e.g., booking a flight during hurricane season without insurance) ^[5].
• Carrier-related issues (e.g., overbooking) unless the policy explicitly includes such coverage ^[4].

For instance, if a traveler is stranded overnight due to a blizzard canceling flights, their policy would reimburse the cost of a hotel room and meals up to the daily limit. However, if the delay results from a strike announced before the policy was purchased, the claim would likely be denied as a foreseeable event ^[5]. Similarly, if a hurricane renders a booked Airbnb uninhabitable, catastrophe cover would pay for a replacement hotel, but only if the policy was bought before the storm was named ^[5][8].