How to cancel your 1Cover travel insurance and reclaim your money in new zealand
Why you might want to cancel 1Cover
1Cover is a New Zealand travel insurer offering single-trip and multi-trip policies that protect you against medical emergencies, trip cancellations, baggage loss and other travel-related risks. You purchase policies online, and 1Cover administers them directly under their product wording and terms.
Life circumstances change rapidly. You might book a trip months in advance, then face unexpected events that force you to postpone or cancel entirely. Alternatively, you may discover after reviewing the policy details that 1Cover's coverage doesn't match your actual travel needs. Whatever your reason, Yafee is here to walk you through the cancellation process so you understand exactly what happens to your money and your cover.
When cancelling makes practical sense
You should consider cancelling if your trip is no longer happening, if you've found cheaper cover elsewhere, or if you've realised the policy exclusions don't suit your travel plans. The sooner you act, the better your refund outcome, especially within 1Cover's 14-day cooling-off period. Yafee recommends reviewing your cancellation eligibility immediately once you decide to withdraw from your policy.
Common reasons for cancellation
Trip cancellation due to illness or family emergency ranks as the most frequent reason. Cost considerations also drive cancellations when cheaper policies become available. Furthermore, some travellers discover that specific destinations or activity types fall outside their policy coverage, making the protection inadequate for their actual itinerary.
Your consumer rights under new zealand law
New Zealand's Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and the Fair Trading Act 1986 establish your legal foundation when buying insurance. These frameworks protect you from unfair contract terms and ensure transparency in cancellation processes.
The 14-day cooling-off period explained
You have the right to cancel your 1Cover policy within 14 days of purchase without penalty. This cooling-off period applies provided you meet one critical condition: you must not have started your journey and must not have made a claim. This protection exists under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, which grants New Zealand consumers a mandatory reflection period before travel insurance becomes binding.
During this 14-day window, 1Cover must refund your full premium with no deductions. The clock starts from the date your policy was issued, not the date you purchased it online. Calculate your deadline carefully: if you bought your policy on 1 March, your cooling-off period expires at the end of 14 March.
Your legal position after the cooling-off period
Once 14 days have passed, you lose your automatic right to a full refund. However, the Fair Trading Act 1986 still requires 1Cover to act fairly and transparently about unused premium and policy terms. You may still cancel and receive a partial refund, but 1Cover is permitted to deduct reasonable administration fees (typically up to NZ$25) from your unused premium. This applies only if you have not commenced travel and have not made a claim.
If 1Cover refuses to refund unused premium after you've cancelled without travelling, or if they levy unreasonable charges, you can escalate your complaint to the Insurance and Disputes Resolution Service (IDRS). This free dispute resolution service investigates complaints independently and can compel 1Cover to act fairly. Yafee advises keeping all cancellation correspondence so you have evidence if escalation becomes necessary.
How to cancel your 1Cover policy step by step
1Cover provides an online cancellation method accessible through your account dashboard. Your exact steps depend on whether you're within the 14-day cooling-off window or cancelling after that period.
Cancel within 14 days of purchase
This is your strongest cancellation window, offering full refund protection under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.
- Visit the 1Cover website at 1cover.co.nz and log into your account using your email address and password.
- Navigate to your active policies or dashboard area and select the policy you wish to cancel.
- 1Cover displays all your current policies in one centralised location.
- Identify the correct policy by trip destination or policy number.
- Click on the policy details page to open the full policy information.
- Review the issue date shown at the top of the policy document.
- Confirm you are within 14 days of this date.
- Look for the "Cancel policy" or "Manage policy" button on the policy details page.
- 1Cover displays cancellation options prominently if you're within the cooling-off period.
- Read any on-screen confirmation text carefully.
- Click the cancellation button and confirm your request on the following screen.
- 1Cover will ask you to tick a box confirming you haven't started travel and have no claims pending.
- Provide this confirmation honestly, as false statements may affect your refund entitlement.
- You will receive an immediate confirmation email from 1Cover with a cancellation reference number and estimated refund amount.
- Expect the full refund to your original payment method within 5-10 business days, depending on your bank's processing time.
Screenshot your cancellation confirmation and save the reference number. Keep this email permanently for your records, as it is your proof of cancellation if a refund delay occurs.
Cancel after 14 days have elapsed
Once the cooling-off period ends, your refund eligibility changes, but you retain cancellation rights under fair trading law.
- Log into your 1Cover account on their website at 1cover.co.nz.
- Use your registered email address and password.
- If you've forgotten your password, select the "Forgot password" link on the login page.
- Navigate to your active policies and select the policy you wish to cancel.
- Check the cancellation terms displayed on the policy details page.
- 1Cover will show you the estimated refund amount, which is your unused premium minus the administration fee.
- The administration fee typically does not exceed NZ$25.
- Confirm that travel has not started and no claims are pending.
- Click the cancellation button and provide the required confirmation.
- You must declare that you have not commenced travel and have not made a claim.
- Receive an immediate confirmation email with your cancellation reference number and net refund amount.
- Expect the refund to process within 5-10 business days.
If 1Cover's administration fee appears excessive or the refund amount seems incorrect, Yafee recommends contacting 1Cover immediately with your policy number and requesting a breakdown of the calculation.
Cancelling by post or phone
If you experience technical difficulties with the online system, you may cancel by contacting 1Cover directly. Send a written cancellation request to the 1Cover address listed below, or use their "Message Us" tool on their website to request cancellation assistance. Include your policy number, full name, email address and phone number. Request written confirmation of your cancellation and the refund amount calculated.
Refund timelines and payment methods
Understanding when your money returns to your account prevents unnecessary concern and helps you detect processing delays.
How long refunds take
1Cover processes refunds within 5-10 business days of your cancellation. This timeline starts from the date you cancel, not the date you receive your confirmation email. Business days exclude weekends and New Zealand public holidays. Consequently, if you cancel on a Friday, the 5-10 day period begins on Monday. If 10 business days pass without a refund appearing in your account, contact 1Cover immediately with your cancellation reference number.
Refund payment methods
1Cover refunds to your original payment method. If you paid by credit or debit card, the refund appears as a credit to your card statement. If you paid by bank transfer, the refund returns to the same bank account you transferred from. Do not provide 1Cover with alternative payment details unless they request them. If you have changed banks since purchase, inform 1Cover of your new account details before cancelling, or request that they refund to your former bank account and arrange an internal transfer.
| Refund scenario |
Timing |
Amount |
Your action |
| Cancelled within 14 days |
5-10 business days |
Full premium |
Save confirmation email; monitor your account |
| Cancelled after 14 days, no travel |
5-10 business days |
Premium minus administration fee (up to NZ$25) |
Request itemised breakdown if amount seems wrong |
| Cancelled after travel has started |
Not applicable |
No refund |
Consider claiming on your policy instead |
| Claim already made |
Not applicable |
No refund |
Escalate to IDRS if claim was declined unfairly |
| Refund not received after 10 business days |
Contact 1Cover immediately |
Full refund owed |
Provide cancellation reference; request status |
| Refund received but amount incorrect |
Contact 1Cover within 5 days |
Correction plus interest if delay caused |
Request itemised calculation and correction |
What happens after you cancel
Cancellation is immediate, but understanding what changes and what obligations remain protects you from unexpected costs or coverage gaps.
Your cover ends immediately
Once you confirm your cancellation online, 1Cover terminates your insurance cover instantly. You are no longer protected for any events occurring after the cancellation is processed. If you have a trip scheduled within days of cancellation, do not cancel unless you are certain the trip will not proceed. Yafee strongly advises purchasing replacement cover before cancelling your existing policy if you still intend to travel.
No claims can be made after cancellation
You cannot claim on a cancelled policy, even if an insured event occurred before cancellation. If you cancel but then fall ill before your trip departs, 1Cover will deny any claim because the policy is no longer active. Only cancel once you have confirmed that no events triggering cover have occurred and none are foreseeable.
You cannot reverse a cancellation
1Cover does not permit you to reactivate a cancelled policy. If you change your mind after cancelling, you must purchase a new policy with a fresh premium. Consequently, your refund amount may differ from your original premium if the price of cover has changed. Do not rely on reversing a cancellation as a strategy; decide carefully before submitting your cancellation request.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling
Cancellation mistakes frequently delay refunds or result in forfeited money. Avoid these pitfalls to protect your refund entitlement.
Mistake 1: cancelling after travel has started
If you depart for your trip and then cancel your policy, 1Cover has no obligation to refund any premium. The moment your journey begins, the policy is no longer "unused" and refund rights cease. Calculate your departure date precisely and cancel before you leave. If you're cancelling due to illness that forces you to abandon your trip after departure, contact 1Cover immediately to discuss your options, but do not assume a refund is guaranteed.
Mistake 2: not checking the 14-day deadline
Many consumers lose their right to a full refund simply by miscounting the 14-day period. Mark your policy issue date on your calendar and set a phone reminder for day 13. The deadline is the end of day 14 from the issue date, not 14 days after you received the confirmation email. If you cancel on day 15, your refund will be subject to administration fees even if you haven't travelled.
Mistake 3: making a claim before cancelling
If you've notified 1Cover of any incident or loss, even informally, your claim status may prevent cancellation and refunds. Do not discuss potential claims before cancelling if you intend to withdraw from the policy. Inform 1Cover only that you wish to cancel; do not mention any adverse event.
Mistake 4: failing to save your cancellation reference number
Your cancellation reference number is your only proof that you requested cancellation on a specific date. If 1Cover disputes your cancellation or delays your refund, you will need this reference to escalate to IDRS. Yafee recommends screenshot both your cancellation confirmation and the reference number, then forward both to your personal email as a backup.
Mistake 5: changing payment details without informing 1Cover
If you've changed bank accounts since purchasing your policy, inform 1Cover before cancelling. If they refund to your old account and that bank has closed the account, the refund may be rejected and returned to 1Cover, delaying receipt of your money by several weeks.
When to escalate to the insurance and disputes resolution service
The IDRS is your free escalation route if 1Cover refuses to act fairly on your cancellation or refund.
Grounds for escalation
Contact the IDRS if 1Cover refuses to refund unused premium after you've cancelled without travelling, if they levy administration fees that seem unreasonable, or if your refund does not arrive within 10 business days. The IDRS operates independently of 1Cover and investigates complaints free of charge. You do not need a lawyer to lodge a complaint. The IDRS will review 1Cover's handling of your cancellation and can compel them to refund money if they've acted unfairly.
How to contact the IDRS
Visit the IDRS website at dispute.org.nz or call 0800 884 409. Provide your policy number, cancellation date, and a summary of your complaint. The IDRS will contact 1Cover and request their response. You will receive updates as the investigation progresses. Most complaints are resolved within 20-30 working days.
Pricing and refund comparison table
Your refund outcome depends entirely on when you cancel relative to your policy start date and whether you've commenced travel.
| Policy type |
Cancellation window |
Travel status |
Refund amount |
Processing time |
| Single-trip or multi-trip |
Within 14 days of issue |
Not started |
100% of premium |
5-10 business days |
| Single-trip or multi-trip |
After 14 days |
Not started |
Premium minus admin fee (up to NZ$25) |
5-10 business days |
| Single-trip or multi-trip |
Any time |
Already started |
No refund |
Not applicable |
| Single-trip or multi-trip |
Any time |
Claim pending or made |
No refund (policy active) |
Not applicable |
| Single-trip or multi-trip |
After cancellation request |
None (cancelled) |
As agreed |
5-10 business days |
| Single-trip or multi-trip |
Disputed refund |
Any |
Escalated to IDRS |
20-30 working days (IDRS) |
If you cannot cancel online or prefer to cancel in writing, use the contact details below to reach 1Cover directly.
Postal address for cancellation requests
Send written cancellation requests to:
1Cover
Box 106-154
Commerce Street
Auckland 1010
New Zealand
Alternatively, you may contact 1Cover using their "Message Us" tool on their website at 1cover.co.nz. Include your policy number, full name, email address, phone number and a clear statement that you wish to cancel your policy. Request a written confirmation of your cancellation and the refund amount calculated. Keep all correspondence for your records.
Escalation contacts
If 1Cover refuses to refund unused premium or disputes your cancellation, escalate your complaint to the Insurance and Disputes Resolution Service (IDRS):
Insurance and Disputes Resolution Service
Telephone: 0800 884 409
Website: dispute.org.nz
There is no cost to lodge a complaint with the IDRS. They will investigate your dispute independently and can compel 1Cover to refund money if they have acted unfairly under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 or Fair Trading Act 1986.
Summary and next steps
Cancelling 1Cover is straightforward if you act within the 14-day cooling-off period and confirm that you haven't travelled and have no claims pending. Within this window, you retain the right to a full refund under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993. After 14 days, you may still cancel and receive unused premium back minus reasonable administration fees, provided travel has not commenced.
Log into your 1Cover account at 1cover.co.nz, select your policy, click the cancellation button and confirm your request. You will receive a confirmation email with a reference number and refund amount. Yafee recommends taking a screenshot and forwarding it to your personal email as backup. Expect your refund within 5-10 business days.
If your refund does not arrive, or if 1Cover refuses to refund unused premium, contact the Insurance and Disputes Resolution Service (IDRS) free of charge. The IDRS investigates complaints independently and can compel 1Cover to act fairly under New Zealand consumer protection law.
Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel travel insurance policies and secure refunds when providers acted unfairly. Whether you're cancelling because your trip is no longer happening, you've found cheaper cover elsewhere, or you've realised the policy doesn't suit your needs, Yafee provides the clarity and legal framework you need to protect your refund entitlement. Yafee's contract law specialists are here to ensure you understand your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and Fair Trading Act 1986, and to guide you toward fair resolution if 1Cover disputes your cancellation.