Going abroad for a concert or sporting event: What if things don’t go to plan?

Summer is the season for major concerts, festivals, and sporting events. Thanks to increasingly convenient flight connections, more and more Estonians are combining a short trip abroad with a long-awaited event. A few days in Barcelona, Stockholm or London often begin with a favourite artist’s concert or a major sporting event.

Unfortunately, travel does not always go according to plan. A flight may be delayed, a train cancelled or a long-awaited concert called off. As event tickets often account for a significant share of the travel budget, it is worth considering in advance what happens if your plans suddenly change. In what situations can LHV travel insurance help, and can it also cover costs related to a cancelled concert?

‘Travel insurance is often associated primarily with medical emergencies or lost luggage,’ says Nele Leht, the Head of Business Development at LHV Kindlustus. ‘However, if the main purpose of your trip is to attend a concert, festival or another major event, it is particularly important to review the policy terms carefully.’

According to Leht, standard travel insurance does not necessarily cover situations where an event is cancelled or the traveller is unable to attend due to unexpected circumstances. ‘That is why it is important to make sure, when taking out the policy, that the cover you choose matches the purpose of your trip and the risks involved,’ she adds.

What should you keep in mind when travelling abroad for a concert?

If you are travelling abroad to attend a concert or sporting event, it is worth arranging your travel insurance as soon as you book your tickets. If both the trip and the event tickets are purchased several months, or even a year, in advance, taking out trip interruption insurance early can help protect you against the financial loss if an unexpected illness or any other unforeseen circumstances prevent you from travelling.

If your entire trip revolves around a single event, it is also advisable to book your accommodation well in advance. Hotels in the best locations tend to sell out quickly during major concerts and sporting events, and prices can be significantly higher than usual. When choosing your transport, it is also wise, where possible, to avoid flights that arrive on the day of the event itself.

‘Transport delays and other unexpected disruptions are not uncommon. If the concert or match takes place in the evening, it is sensible to arrive at your destination at least a day in advance. It is also worth bearing in mind that getting around by public transport or car can take considerably longer than usual during major events,’ Leht advises.

If your flight or train is delayed or cancelled

Whether costs can be reimbursed in the event of a transport disruption depends on whether the delay or cancellation was beyond the traveller’s control and whether the relevant cover was included in the policy.

‘Trip disruption cover is designed for situations where a journey is interrupted or delayed for reasons beyond the traveller’s control. For example, a flight may be cancelled due to a storm, a train may be delayed or transport workers may unexpectedly go on strike. If, as a result, you miss a concert or another event and your policy includes the relevant cover, the insurance may reimburse both the cost of the unused ticket and other expenses incurred, such as additional accommodation or replacement transport,’ Leht explains.

Trip disruption cover does not, however, apply if the traveller misses their departure because of their own mistake. If someone mixes up the dates, leaves home too late or simply fails to allow enough time, unfortunately the resulting loss cannot be reimbursed,’ Leht says.

If the artist falls ill and the concert is cancelled

If a long-awaited concert is cancelled because the artist falls ill, technical issues arise or the organisers are forced to cancel the event, travellers will often already have paid for flights and accommodation.

‘This is where LHV’s additional cover for event cancellation comes into play. The organiser may refund the ticket price or offer a new date, but travel expenses, such as flights or accommodation, may still remain the traveller’s responsibility. If you have this additional cover, the insurance can help reimburse those costs that are not refunded by the service providers,’ Leht explains.

Leht points out that insurance may reimburse other travel expenses if the traveller decides to cancel the trip altogether. However, if they choose to travel despite the concert being cancelled and make use of the booked accommodation or transport, those costs can no longer be treated as a financial loss by the insurer.

If your trip is cancelled or your plans change

If your travel plans change, you should contact all relevant service providers as soon as possible: your hotel, airline, rail operator and, where applicable, the event organiser. Insurance can help cover the portion of the loss that is not reimbursed by those service providers.

When taking out a policy, it is important to choose an insured amount that reflects the total cost of your trip, including flights or rail tickets, accommodation and event tickets. It is equally important to buy tickets only through official sales channels.

‘It is understandable that people look for different ways to secure tickets to a highly sought-after event. If an event has sold out, it can be tempting to buy tickets from a private seller or through an unofficial platform. However, this comes with a risk of fraud. The same applies when booking accommodation through unfamiliar intermediaries. Situations like these can ruin the entire travel experience and, in the worst case, leave you out of pocket. If a purchase turns out to be fraudulent or the service does not actually exist, neither the organiser nor the insurer may be able to compensate you for the loss,’ Leht says.

If something unexpected happens during your trip, it is essential to keep all supporting documents when making an insurance claim, including tickets, booking confirmations, receipts, and any notifications of delays or cancellations. ‘The more documentation you have, the easier it is to prove your claim. It is also advisable to notify your insurer as soon as possible, as they can often assist not only with processing the claim but also with resolving the situation,’ Leht advises.

Don’t leave the success of your trip to chance. Arrange your LHV travel insurance and any additional cover you need in just a few minutes. Calculate the cost of your travel insurance.