Finding your new home is a big step, but we know some parts of your move may still be out of your hands. Your visa could be refused, university or work plans could change, or an unexpected medical or family emergency could get in the way.
That’s why HousingAnywhere offers Cancellation Insurance: an optional add-on designed to give you extra financial protection before move-in. If you need to cancel for an eligible reason, you can get back the costs you’ve already paid through HousingAnywhere.
Protect more of what you’ve already paid
If an unexpected event stops you from moving in, Cancellation Insurance can reimburse your first month’s rent and Tenant Protection fee. An agency or residence service fee is also covered where applicable and eligible.
In this article
What is Cancellation Insurance?
You’ve found your new home, but some parts of your move may still be out of your hands. Cancellation Insurance gives you extra financial protection before move-in, so an unexpected covered event doesn’t automatically mean losing what you’ve already paid. You can add it to your booking request on HousingAnywhere.
If you choose not to add it, your usual HousingAnywhere protection still applies.
Our standard cancellation policy covers accommodation-related issues, such as a property being unsanitary or not as advertised. Cancellation Insurance gives you additional protection for certain personal situations that could stop you from moving in.
Cancellation Insurance isn’t the same as free cancellation
Your normal cancellation policy still applies. Cancellation Insurance gives you an additional way to recover eligible costs if a covered personal event prevents your move.
What does Cancellation Insurance cover?
If you need to cancel before move-in for one of the reasons listed below, Cancellation Insurance covers:
Your first month’s rent
Your Tenant Protection fee
An agency or residence service fee, if applicable
Only payments made through HousingAnywhere are included.
Claims are reviewed before reimbursement
You can add it to your booking request on HousingAnywhere. If you need to cancel before move-in for one of the reasons listed below, it helps you get back key upfront costs you’ve already paid through HousingAnywhere. Cancellation Insurance is managed by Insured, our insurance partner, who also handles your policy and any claim you make.
What isn’t covered?
Cancellation Insurance does not reimburse:
Your security deposit
The Cancellation Insurance fee itself
Payments made outside HousingAnywhere
Costs that fall outside the insurance coverage
Protection provided separately through Worry-Free booking
What cancellation reasons are covered?
Cancellation Insurance is there for specific unexpected situations that could stop you from moving in as planned.
Here’s what’s included — and what isn’t:
Covered reasons | Not covered |
Serious illness, accident, or death affecting you or a close relative | Illness or events you already knew about before booking |
Visa refusal, when your application was submitted within the required deadlines | Transport strikes |
University admission withdrawal, after you had previously been accepted | High-risk sports, competitions, or professional sports |
Withdrawal of a confirmed job offer | War, terrorist acts, or riots |
Economic layoff affecting you or your partner | COVID-19-related illness or death |
Cancellation of a job transfer or forced relocation for a non-disciplinary reason | Volcanic eruptions |
Natural disaster or significant travel delay that prevents you from reaching your destination | Missing required official documents |
Official summons, such as jury duty, witness or expert testimony, or a court subpoena | Psychiatric disorders without hospitalization longer than 3 days |
Organ transplant appointment for you or a close relative | Intentional misconduct, criminal acts, or drug use |
— | Pregnancy and related events |
What if my reason isn’t listed?
Cancellation Insurance only applies to the reasons included in the policy. If your situation isn’t listed, your usual HousingAnywhere cancellation policy still applies to your booking.
Am I eligible for Cancellation Insurance?
You can add Cancellation Insurance to your booking when:
The accommodation is in France
Your move-in date is more than 2 days and less than 1 year away
You add it before your booking is confirmed and paid
You don’t already have Cancellation Insurance for the same booking
How will I know if it’s available?
If Cancellation Insurance is available for your booking, you’ll see the option when you send your booking request. If you don’t see it, you won’t need to take any extra action.
How do I add Cancellation Insurance?
If Cancellation Insurance is available for your booking, you’ll see the option when you send your booking request.
Before adding it, you can check the price, what’s covered, and the key insurance details.
To add it:
Select Cancellation Insurance in the booking flow.
Review the price and coverage.
Continue with your booking.
The price is added automatically to your total and shown separately in your payment breakdown.
Add it before your booking is confirmed
Cancellation Insurance can only be added before your booking is confirmed and paid. Once the booking is complete, you won’t be able to add it afterward.
Look out for an email from Insured
Once your booking is confirmed, Insured will email you with access to their platform. This is where you can find your insurance details and submit a claim if you ever need to.
How much does Cancellation Insurance cost?
The price depends on your booking and is calculated automatically.
You’ll see exactly what Cancellation Insurance costs before you add it, and the price will appear separately in your payment breakdown.
How long does my coverage last?
Cancellation Insurance protects you up until the day before the move-in date shown on your HousingAnywhere booking. After that, the coverage ends.
If your move-in date changes, we can update your insurance once, as long as the new date is within 30 calendar days of your original move-in date.
Can I cancel or get a refund for Cancellation Insurance?
Once your booking is confirmed and paid, your Cancellation Insurance is active, and the fee is non-refundable.
What should I do if I need to cancel?
If one of the reasons listed above means you can’t move in, we’ll help you get started.
Cancel your HousingAnywhere booking
Log in to HousingAnywhere, go to Messages, and open the conversation for your booking.
Select Cancel Rental, complete the cancellation form, and submit it. Your booking will be handled in accordance with the cancellation policy applicable to your reservation.
Submit your insurance claim
Use the Insured platform using the access details sent to you when your booking was confirmed. Submit your insurance claim and the supporting documents for your cancellation reason.
Remember to complete both steps
Submitting the Cancel Rental form cancels your HousingAnywhere booking, but it doesn’t automatically submit your insurance claim. You’ll also need to send your claim separately through Insured.
What documents will I need?
You’ll need an official document showing why you need to cancel. Here’s what to prepare:
Reason | Supporting document |
Visa refusal | Official visa rejection from the relevant authority |
University withdrawal | Proof of your previous admission plus the official rejection or withdrawal letter |
Job offer withdrawal | Official withdrawal letter from the employer |
Economic layoff | Employer letter confirming the layoff and economic reason |
Cancellation of a job transfer | Copy of the official cancellation letter |
Illness or accident | Medical certificate stating the date and nature of the illness or accident, issued by an independent medical authority |
Death | Copy of the Death certificate |
Jury duty, witness or expert summons | Copy of the official summons |
Organ transplant appointment | Copy of the official summons |
Additional documents may be requested depending on your situation.
What happens after I submit my claim?
Once you’ve submitted your claim, the Insured, our insurance partner, will review your documents and let you know if anything else is needed.
When your claim is approved, Insured will process the reimbursement for the costs covered by your Cancellation Insurance.