The dispute occurred after the complainant cancelled a holiday following the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Canada last year.
He received a refund of the cost of the holiday from the travel company, but was charged a 30 per cent cancellation fee. He attempted to get the insurer to reimburse this.
The travel policy provided cover for cancellation due to "death, serious injury, sudden illness, compulsory quarantine of the insured, or any immediate family member".
It also covered the cancellation of the scheduled transport involved as a result of specific, named, dangers.
The policy specifically excluded cover for "disinclination to go on a trip".
The insurance ombudsman did not uphold the claim as the scheduled transport had not been cancelled.
Nor did any of the other specified reasons for cancellation apply, that is, death, serious injury, sudden illness, compulsory quarantine of the insured of any family member.