General Travel Insurance Question

[Wingedharpy]

Not sure if I'm in the right place here but...
I'm in the process of organising, with friends, a European break for later in the year.
The tariff for various hotels I've looked at varies enormously depending on whether I book now and pay the whole thing up front with no cancellation (cheapest) or, book now, pay at hotel and can cancel up to 24 hours before travel (more expensive).
If I went for the first option, would travel insurers pay out (minus the usual excess charge) if I had to cancel or, or they more likely to say I should have opted for free cancellation?
My travel insurance is already in place.
There is no mention of this matter in any policy documents I've read.
Also, while we're on this topic, same question for a UK break?

it all depends what the small print of your insurance says. it might say it covers you completely or that it makes up the difference from the cancellation insurance held by the hotel.

you need to just read through your existing policy really carefully or speak to your broker see what they say.

It's not really free cancellation if they are charging you a higher rate to get that facility.

I would have thought that if the event that caused you to cancel is mentioned in your travel insurance, you would be covered.

Eg serious illness, death of a relative the day before you travel etc - you would be covered.

Changing your mind, losing your job, relationship breakdown etc, probably not.

Suggest

Everyone who goes on the holiday takes out their own travel insurance and if there are issues they can claim on their own insurance

Only book the holiday for friends who pay you all the money in advance or a large deposit (you dont want to have to pay for people who say they are going, but cancel at the last minute)

Travel insurance does not pay out for people who change their mind for whatever reason