The wording usually included
A travel cancellation medical certificate is a short, factual document written by the doctor after an examination. Without going into clinical detail, it confirms that a health reason is incompatible with the planned trip. Its form stays sober: the goal is to provide administrative proof for the insurer or the airline, not a full medical report.
It usually contains the following elements, which may vary depending on the situation:
- The identity of the patient concerned (surname, first name, date of birth);
- The date the certificate was issued;
- The doctor's finding that the state of health is incompatible with travel, without necessarily detailing the diagnosis;
- The relevant period or the date of the trip made impossible, where applicable;
- The identity and qualification of the signing doctor, their signature and, where relevant, their stamp;
- A note that the certificate is issued at the patient's request and handed to them, to serve as appropriate.
What it must, and must not, contain
Medical confidentiality strictly governs the content. A certificate intended for a third party, such as an insurer, does not need to reveal the precise diagnosis or your medical history. The doctor confirms that there is an incompatibility with travel; they do not disclose the details of the condition. It is up to the patient to decide what to share with their insurer, taking into account the information required by their contract.
Conversely, certain elements must appear so that the document is credible and usable:
- A date and a handwritten or electronic signature from the doctor;
- Elements that clearly identify both the signing doctor and the patient;
- Factual wording, without exaggeration or any promise of reimbursement.
Why only a board-registered doctor can issue it
A medical certificate is not a simple form you fill in yourself. It is an act that engages the responsibility of its author and is reserved for a professional registered with the medical board. The doctor attests only to what they have personally observed, after an examination by phone or WhatsApp, supplemented if needed by a video call. This requirement protects both the patient and the reliability of the document in the eyes of the insurer or the airline.
This is also why you should never use a fill-in template found online. A self-written document, with no examination or doctor's signature, has no evidential value and may be treated as a forgery. The correct approach is to describe your situation to a doctor, who then decides, in good conscience, whether they can issue the certificate and in what terms.
With Certi-Fly, the examination is carried out by phone or WhatsApp, with a video call available as an option. The certificate is then written and signed by a board-registered doctor and delivered within 24 hours.
How to use it with your insurer or the airline
Having a compliant certificate does not, on its own, guarantee a refund: the decision rests with the insurer or the airline, depending on the terms of your contract. Covered reasons, declaration deadlines and required documents vary from one provider to another. It is therefore essential to check your insurance policy or the airline's terms and conditions before taking any steps.
A few useful habits to give yourself the best chance:
- Read your contract terms to check that your situation falls within the covered reasons;
- Declare the cancellation within the stated deadlines, often quickly after the event occurs;
- Keep a copy of the certificate and all travel and payment receipts;
- Share only the information requested, without disclosing unnecessary health data.