is travel insurance cancellable

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Is Travel Insurance Refundable?

Last Updated: October 1, 2019 October 3, 2023

Most travelers who buy travel insurance want to protect their non-refundable trip payments, and travel insurance policies with Trip Cancellation coverage can do just that. But is the travel insurance policy itself refundable? It depends on when a traveler seeks a refund for their policy.  Leading travel insurance comparison site, Squaremouth , explains when travelers can be refunded for their travel insurance premiums.

Can Travel Insurance be Refunded?

Yes, travel insurance can be refunded if the policyholder decides to cancel their travel insurance policy within their Money Back Guarantee period. This is the window immediately after a traveler buys their policy in which they can cancel for a 100% refund of premium.

All policies on Squaremouth, from single-trip policies to annual policies , come with a Money Back Guarantee. The purpose of this benefit is to give travelers extra time to review their policy documentation to be sure it’s the best policy for their coverage needs. 

Depending on the policy, the Money Back Guarantee period typically lasts between 10 and 14 days. During this time, travelers can cancel their policy for any reason for a full refund. Unfortunately, if a traveler decides to cancel their policy at a later date, they will not be given a refund for their policy.

Can You Cancel Travel Insurance?

Yes, travel insurance can be canceled at any time and for any reason. However in order to receive a refund, the cancellation must occur within a policy’s Money Back Guarantee period. To cancel a policy, a traveler can contact their provider directly.

Travel Insurance Premium Not an Insurable Cost

Many travelers ask if they can include the cost of their travel insurance policy as part of their trip cost, thinking they can receive a refund for the money they spent on insurance if they need to cancel their trip. However, this cost is not insurable under the Trip Cancellation benefit.

The Trip Cancellation benefit can only cover a traveler’s prepaid and non-refundable trip expenses. This can include their airfare, hotel reservations, tours, and excursions, among others. If a traveler cancels their trip, they can be reimbursed for those trip expenses, however as the policy’s premium pays for a service that begins before the trip, it is not considered a reimbursable expense.  

Travelers looking for more information regarding canceling a policy due to the  coronavirus pandemic can visit Squaremouth’s Covid-19 information hub.

Everything you need to know about cancel for any reason trip protection

In January 2020, my husband and I decided to splurge and book a suite aboard a Celebrity Cruises springtime voyage on the line's Apex ship . The cruise fare wasn't insignificant, so we bought travel insurance — as we usually do for any big trip. We printed out policies from five different companies and carefully reviewed the differences.

We thought about all the things that could go wrong that might stop us from going on this cruise — the death of an elderly relative, a work conflict or a broken leg. At the time, "pandemic" did not make our shortlist. We ultimately purchased a trip insurance package without the pricey "cancel for any reason" add-on (sometimes called CFAR). We thought we'd be just fine.

Of course, the sudden emergence of COVID-19 changed things and, boy, do we wish we'd sprung for the additional CFAR protection.

Interested in travel insurance? Visit InsureMyTrip.com to shop for plans that may fit your travel needs — including cancel-for-any reason coverage.

More destinations are reopened to American travelers, and people are booking trips once again. But the coronavirus pandemic isn't over, and there is still some uncertainty about what the rest of this year and 2022 holds. Cancel-for-any-reason trip protection can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in a time when flexibility is paramount when booking travel.

If you're not sure what cancel-for-any-reason travel protection is and when you should purchase it, here's everything you need to know.

Visit TPG's coronavirus hub for the latest news and advice.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

What you need to know about travel insurance

Cancel for any reason, also known as CFAR, is a time-sensitive, optional benefit that can be added to some comprehensive travel insurance policies for qualifying travelers. Before we delve into the details, it's useful to understand trip insurance in general. Here are some resources that explain everything you need to know about travel insurance and its benefits, from trip cancellation and interruption coverage to emergency medical to baggage delay. And, we've included some resources that specifically talk about coronavirus as it relates to insurance policies:

• The best travel insurance policies and providers
• When to buy travel insurance versus when to rely on credit card protections
• Will independent travel insurance cover coronavirus? Here's what you should know
• Best credit cards with travel insurance
• What you should know about the trip cancellation and interruption protection offered by select credit cards
• Be careful: Avoiding outbreaks isn't covered by most travel insurance

What is cancel-for-any-reason protection?

While travel insurance policies can offer a range of inclusions (think: medical evacuation, trip cancellation due to foreign or domestic terrorism or damage to your rental car), not every eventuality is included in all insurance policies. For example, some trip insurance plans may offer coverage in the event of employment layoffs, while others do not. Some policies may have robust emergency medical coverage, while competitors don't. That's why it's so important for you to select a plan that meets your specific needs for each trip.

A commonality among insurance policies is their long list of exclusions. For example, my homeowners' insurance clearly states I'm not covered for damage caused by an alien invasion. Yes. Seriously.

When it comes to travel insurance, it's common to see these sorts of incidents excluded from coverage: normal pregnancy, the illness of a pet, suicide (yours or a traveling companion) or any self-inflicted injury, psychological disorders, mountain climbing, bungee-jumping, skydiving, declared (or undeclared) war as well as epidemics and pandemics.

So, under normal circumstances, a travel insurance policy would likely not cover a trip you cancel because you're worried about contracting coronavirus .

That's where a cancel-for-any-reason policy comes into play. This is a time-sensitive add-on you can purchase from some providers when buying specific comprehensive travel insurance plans — as long as you meet certain eligibility requirements. By paying extra for this coverage, you can cancel for any reason under the sun as long as you follow the policies' purchase and cancel stipulations.

When am I eligible to add CFAR protection?

In general, you're only eligible to add CFAR protection to a comprehensive travel insurance policy at the time of purchase — you typically can't purchase the policy and then decide (at a later date) to commit to the CFAR add on. In addition, you'll need to commit to the policy and CFAR protection fairly soon after making your initial trip payment. According to InsureMyTrip.com , typically "a policy must be purchased within 10-21 days of making the initial trip payment to be eligible for CFAR benefits."

Many providers will also require you to insure the entire value of your trip, and additional requirements may apply. As always, it's critical to read through all of the terms before committing to purchasing any travel insurance policy — including CFAR coverage.

How much does cancel-for-any-reason coverage cost?

CFAR coverage is sounding pretty good as a way to hedge bets against the continued uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic. But, how much are you going to have to dig into your wallet to pay for it? The fee for this add-on is typically calculated as a percentage of the price of the standard insurance policy you select.

Standard comprehensive plans can cost about 4-10% of the total cost of the insured trip, and CFAR can be an additional 40-60% on top of the standard plan (not the cost of the trip).

Consider the following illustrative example for a $5,000 trip with two 50-year-old travelers to Aruba:

• A standard, comprehensive plan might cost around $250 — which is 5% of the total trip cost.
• A comprehensive plan with the CFAR upgrade included might cost around $375 — which is the price of the standard plan ($250) plus an additional 50% ($125).

However, please note that all plan costs can differ based on individual quote details.

Will you get all your money back if you purchase CFAR coverage?

No. Generally speaking, CFAR can reimburse up to 75% of your total insured, prepaid, nonrefundable trip cost. In addition, CFAR typically requires you to cancel your trip no less than two days prior to departure to be eligible for reimbursement.

Check the insurance policy terms carefully to find out how much your refund would be if you invoked the CFAR terms and canceled your insured trip — and be sure to know the deadline for doing so.

Should you buy CFAR coverage?

Whether to travel and what level of insurance to purchase — or not — is always a personal decision. But, TPG has consistently received a lot of reader questions over the past year about what they should do if they have a trip booked or were about to book a trip and now don't know what to do because of the uncertainty of the coronavirus.

"One of the top questions travelers ask is about when to splurge for the CFAR upgrade," says Meghan Walch, a travel insurance expert for InsureMyTrip . "It's important to note that a standard comprehensive policy does not cover fear of travel. That's why we strongly recommend all travelers consider CFAR, if eligible. There is so much uncertainty with the pandemic, travelers are leaning towards maximum flexibility to cancel their trip to receive a percentage of their trip cost back."

If your total trip cost is low, you may decide to forego insurance — or the additional CFAR coverage — and self-insure (i.e., eat the nonrefundable trip costs if you cancel). But, if your vacation is expensive, the additional fee for CFAR may feel like a bargain instead of potentially losing thousands of dollars if you have to cancel nonrefundable reservations.

A few more words of advice

Coronavirus is adding a layer of complexity to decisions travelers must make about going on planned trips and booking future vacations. Here are a few specific scenarios to consider:

What to do if you're about to book a trip but are hesitant because of coronavirus

If you're afraid to commit a large amount of money to a future trip, purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance policy and adding the cancel-for-any-reason coverage option might be the best bet.

"Cancel-for-any-reason is the only way to protect the majority of your trip cost if you would like the flexibility to cancel your trip due to fear of the coronavirus pandemic and variants that are currently spiking," says Walch.

This could also be a great option for immunocompromised travelers. Even a doctor attesting to your inability to travel may not be enough to qualify for reimbursement under a standard, comprehensive plan — but CFAR coverage could help recoup some of your forfeited costs.

If you're shopping for CFAR, you can use a site like InsureMyTrip.com , and then check the applicable box under the search results:

Doing so will only return policy results that include that type of coverage.

What to do if you booked a trip and have insurance — but your policy doesn't include CFAR clause

If you purchased a comprehensive travel insurance plan for an upcoming trip but didn't add CFAR coverage, just be aware that your options for coronavirus-related cancellations are more limited. While CFAR is the only cancellation option to cover fear of travel due to the coronavirus pandemic, some comprehensive policies still offer coverage for other COVID-19-related concerns. This may include:

• Coverage for common concerns like cancellation due to diagnosed illness before traveling
• Emergency medical care from a doctor or hospital if you become ill while traveling
• Accommodation coverage if quarantined at your destination

Always be sure to review your policy carefully to understand the exclusions — but note that, without CFAR coverage, canceling a trip simply because you're afraid of contracting COVID-19 will likely not result in a successful claim under standard, comprehensive travel insurance plans.

What to do if you booked a trip and have no travel insurance

First, look at when you actually booked the trip. If it was within the last three weeks, you may still be eligible for a comprehensive travel insurance plan with the cancel-for-any-reason add-on. And if not, there may still be more limited policies that provide some coronavirus-related protection — including emergency medical evacuation.

In short, it's critical to begin investigating your travel insurance options as soon as you book (and make an initial payment on) a trip, as this will maximize the number of applicable plans. This is particularly important when it comes to time-sensitive benefits — like CFAR protection.

To explore these options, you can enter your trip details to compare available plans on a site like InsureMyTrip.com .

Bottom line

Having the peace of mind of travel insurance is more important than ever as countries reopen to vaccinated U.S. citizens and people start booking trips once again. With the delta variant now the dominant strain in the U.S., there is still uncertainty ahead for travelers hoping to take trips this year and into next.

In the past, you may have shrugged at the idea of trip insurance, especially the more expensive policies that offer a CFAR add-on. If you don't want the coronavirus pandemic to derail your travel plans but want to be covered if an expensive trip must be postponed or canceled, CFAR may be a great option to consider.

Disclaimer : This information is provided by IMT Services, LLC ( InsureMyTrip.com ), a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 5119217) and a member of the Tokio Marine HCC group of companies. IMT's services are only available in states where it is licensed to do business and the products provided through InsureMyTrip.com may not be available in all states. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not create or modify any insurance policy terms in any way. For more information, please visit www.insuremytrip.com .

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Best Travel Insurance Policies With Cancel for Any Reason Coverage [2023]

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What Is Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance?

Cancel for any reason travel insurance costs, is cancel for any reason coverage standard, what to look for in a cancel for any reason travel insurance policy, the best travel insurance plans with cancel for any reason coverage, denial of cfar coverage, final thoughts.

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Unexpected circumstances can disrupt even the best-laid travel plans, which is where Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) travel insurance comes in. With CFAR travel insurance, you can cancel your trip for almost any reason and receive partial reimbursement for nonrefundable expenses.

While more costly than standard travel insurance or the travel coverage you might have on your credit card, CFAR offers value in peace of mind with a safety net that goes beyond the limits of what standard travel insurance policies offer. Whether you’ve had a change of heart, had unexpected obligations or emergencies pop up, or just want to stay as flexible as possible, CFAR coverage protects your travel investment.

Read this guide to learn what CFAR travel insurance entails, when you can use it, and how to add CFAR travel insurance to your existing travel insurance policy. You can also see some examples of travel insurance plans with CFAR options. 

CFAR travel insurance is a supplemental travel insurance policy that enhances trip cancellation coverage. While a standard travel insurance policy might cover specific trip cancellation reasons such as illness, injury, or death of a family member, CFAR travel insurance allows you to cancel your trip for nearly any reason — and still receive partial reimbursement for your prepaid nonrefundable trip expenses.

Here are a few important things to know about Cancel for Any Reason travel insurance:

• Coverage: CFAR insurance enhances the trip cancellation reasons not covered by standard travel insurance policies. This includes things such as personal reasons, work-related issues, or just changing your mind.
• Flexibility: Using CFAR insurance can give you exceptional flexibility if you’re concerned about plan changes or unforeseen events. You can cancel your trip and be eligible for reimbursement even if the reason doesn’t meet the criteria specified by regular travel insurance.
• Timeframe: You typically need to purchase CFAR insurance within a specified period of making the initial trip deposit, usually within 10 to 21 days, depending on the insurance provider. It’s typically available as an optional comprehensive travel insurance policy add-on.
• Reimbursement: While you’ll get reimbursed for prepaid nonrefundable trip expenses if you cancel, you shouldn’t expect full reimbursement. Depending on the policy, CFAR travel insurance reimbursement typically offers 50% to 75%.
• Policy Conditions: Cancellation reasons are extremely flexible, but you’ll still need to meet policy requirements to avoid denying your claim. For example, you usually need to cancel within an allowable time frame, such as at least 2 days before your trip. You’ll need to read your policy carefully to understand limitations and exclusions.

Cancel for Any Reason travel insurance typically doesn’t cover points and miles reimbursement. However, the nonrefundable fees and taxes you must pay can be covered. You can also be reimbursed for fees associated with redepositing the miles or rebooking fees. But travel insurance, even Cancel for Any Reason travel insurance, generally does not insure the retail value of the ticket or your rewards — only your nonrefundable cash outlay.

Eligibility and Requirements for CFAR Coverage

Eligibility for CFAR coverage varies depending on the insurance provider and policy terms. But generally, you’ll need to purchase coverage within a certain timeframe, your trip must meet the criteria, and you must cancel within the allowed period, usually providing documentation to support the cancellation.

In addition to the cancellation timeframe, insurance providers may have other requirements that need to be met for CFAR coverage. These requirements can vary, so it’s essential to review the terms and conditions of the policy carefully. Some examples of additional requirements specified by insurers may include:

• CFAR Purchase Timeframe: Depending on the insurer, you can typically only purchase CFAR coverage within a specific period of your initial trip deposit, usually between 10 to 21 days. It’s essential to check the policy details and ensure you meet the deadline for purchasing CFAR coverage.
• Coverage Criteria: Your trip must meet eligibility for CFAR coverage with eligibility factors such as your residency, age, trip duration, and the total trip cost. 
• Cancellation Timeframe: There’s usually a deadline you must cancel your trip by to be eligible for CFAR reimbursement, typically at least 48 hours from your scheduled departure. 
• Documentation: An insurer may require you to provide documentation supporting your trip cancellation, such as medical certificates, official letters, or other evidence related to the reason for cancellation. 

State regulations restrict CFAR travel insurance in New York, requiring that travel insurance policies provide coverage for specific enumerated risks — which usually excludes CFAR coverage. If you live in New York and want CFAR coverage, you may need to work with an out-of-state insurance provider.

Policy costs for CFAR vary depending on the insurance provider, specific policy, trip cost, and age of those being insured. You should expect CFAR coverage to cost about 10% to 50% more than the base travel insurance policy. For example, on a standard travel insurance policy that costs $200, you should expect to pay $20 to $100 more to add CFAR coverage.

Getting quotes for CFAR insurance from multiple insurance providers is a good idea to compare the costs and coverage based on your specific travel details and requirements.

CFAR travel coverage isn’t standard on most travel insurance policies and is usually offered as an add-on to a standard travel insurance policy.

With a standard travel insurance policy, you generally have specific allowed reasons for trip cancellation, such as illness, injury, or the death of a family member. There are typically predefined criteria and limitations for reimbursement. 

CFAR coverage enhances the reasons for cancellation, allowing you to cancel your trip for any reason and still receive partial reimbursement. However, you should expect to pay more for this coverage than standard travel insurance. 

Some credit cards offer travel insurance as a cardholder benefit, especially travel credit cards. But don’t expect CFAR coverage with credit card travel insurance, as it doesn’t come standard, and you usually can’t customize credit card travel insurance coverage.

Consider these factors as you compare the best CFAR policy:

• Availability: CFAR travel insurance isn’t available with all providers. Ensure the policy you’re considering includes a CFAR option, either as a standalone policy or as an add-on to standard travel insurance plans.
• Eligibility Requirements: Some CFAR policies restrict age, trip duration, and preexisting conditions, so be sure you and your trip meet the requirements.
• Percentage of Reimbursement: Review the CFAR policy before you book to confirm how much you’ll be reimbursed if you need to cancel. CFAR policies usually reimburse 50% to 75% of the trip cost.
• Purchase Deadline: You’ll usually need to purchase your CFAR coverage within a certain period of booking your trip, so be sure you’re buying your policy within that timeframe.
• Cancellation Window: Confirm how many days before your trip you need to cancel to be eligible for reimbursement, and be sure you understand the cancellation window the policy specifies. 
• Refund Method: Find out how the insurance company will refund you if you need to cancel your trip. You might get cash or travel credits.
• Exclusions: Read the policy to understand what’s excluded under CFAR coverage, such as reimbursement limitations related to terrorism, natural disasters, or preexisting conditions.
• Policy Cost: You should expect to pay more for CFAR than standard trip cancellation coverage. Always compare policy costs across at least a few providers. 
• Customer Reviews and Reputation: Read customer reviews and ratings to understand what other customers think of the insurance provider and get insight into how claims and customer service work. 

As you compare policy costs, make sure you’re looking at apples-to-apples policies. A policy that offers greater reimbursement might cost more but offer a better value if you need to cancel.

While not all travel insurance providers offer CFAR coverage, several reputable companies do. Here are some of the best travel insurance policies with CFAR coverage:

• Allianz Global Assistance : If you’ve purchased a OneTrip Prime or OneTrip Premier travel insurance policy, you can add Cancel Anytime to your policy as an upgrade. It reimburses up to 80% of your lost nonrefundable trip costs if you cancel your trip for a reason your plan doesn’t already cover. Allianz CFAR is unique as it allows you to cancel as late as your day of departure — as long as you haven’t left yet.
• AXA Assistance USA : When you buy a Platinum Plan travel insurance policy from AXA Assistance USA, you can get an optional benefit of Cancel for Any Reason with up to 75% of your trip cost reimbursed if you need to cancel. You must purchase coverage within 14 days of your initial trip deposit.
• Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection : You can upgrade a Berkshire Hathaway ExactCare or LuxuryCare plan with a Cancel for Any Reason upgrade. It provides reimbursement for up to 50% of your nonrefundable trip payments if you have to cancel your trip for a reason not listed in the ExactCare description of coverages.
• IMG Global : Cancel for Any Reason coverage is available to IMG Global travel insurance policyholders. On the iTravelInsured Travel LX plan, you can purchase Cancel and Interruption for Any Reason coverage as an optional upgrade, which covers 75% of your nonrefundable insured trip cost.
• Seven Corners : You can add Cancel for Any Reason coverage to most Seven Corners Trip Protection plans. Seven Corners also offers Interruption for Any Reason coverage as an add-on. Both offer up to 75% reimbursement for your nonrefundable trip expenses.
• Tin Leg : Using Tin Leg Gold coverage, you can add Cancel for Any Reason as an upgrade to get partial — 75% — reimbursement for prepaid and nonrefundable trip payments if your trip is canceled for a reason not already covered by your main policy.
• Travelex Insurance Service : As long as you cancel up to 48 hours before your scheduled departure date, you can get up to 75% of your insured trip costs — up to $7,500 — reimbursed with a Travelex Insurance Service Cancel for Any Reason upgrade.
• Travel Insured International : On Travel Insured International Worldwide Trip Protection policies, you can add Cancel for Any Reason coverage for up to 75% reimbursement on qualifying travel expenses. Travel Insured International also offers Interrupt for Any Reason coverage.
• USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services : With Travel Insurance Select plans from USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services, you can add Cancel for Any Reason or interruption for any reason coverage — with up to 75% reimbursement for qualifying expenses.

Covered Reasons for Trip Cancellation

With CFAR travel insurance, you can cancel your trip and receive reimbursement for nearly any reason, even if standard travel insurance policies do not usually cover it. Your cancellation should be covered no matter your reason for cancellation as long as you meet policy requirements, such as canceling at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure. 

These are some common examples of covered reasons for trip cancellation under CFAR insurance:

• Change of Heart: You can cancel your trip for personal reasons, such as no longer wanting to travel, fear, or choosing a different destination. 
• Work-related Issues: Whether you’ve lost your job, can’t take time off as scheduled, or have another work conflict, you can get reimbursed for trip cancellation using CFAR insurance.
• Family Events: Family obligations such as a wedding, the birth of a child, or a family member’s illness can be covered with CFAR insurance.
• Personal Health Issues: CFAR insurance can cover trip cancellation if you have an unexpected illness or injury that prevents you from traveling — though you’ll need to cancel your trip within the timeframe required by the policy.
• Natural Disasters: Hurricanes, earthquakes, or severe weather conditions that may make your destination unsafe or inaccessible are covered by CFAR insurance.
• Political Unrest: CFAR insurance may cover trip cancellation due to political instability or civil unrest at your destination.

While CFAR travel insurance covers almost any reason you might have to cancel your trip, you should review your policy details carefully to ensure you’re covered. Understand the conditions and limitations, such as cancellation deadlines and reimbursement packages.

While specific reasons for denial of Cancel for Any Reason coverage may vary depending on the insurance provider and policy terms, here are a few examples of potential reasons for denial:

• Failure To Meet the Purchase Timeframe: If you fail to purchase CFAR coverage within the specified timeframe after making your initial trip deposit, the insurance provider may deny your claim. Make sure to review the policy details and adhere to the deadline for purchasing CFAR coverage.
• Preexisting Medical Conditions: Some insurance policies may exclude coverage for preexisting medical conditions. If you or a covered individual has a preexisting medical condition that leads to trip cancellation, the CFAR coverage may be denied. It’s essential to carefully review the policy terms to understand any exclusions related to preexisting conditions.
• Known Events: You’re typically not covered by CFAR if the reason for the cancellation was a “known event” when you purchased the policy. Known events are ones that are widely publicized and occurred before you bought the CFAR policy. For example, purchasing a policy after a hurricane was predicted to make landfall and then canceling for the storm may not be covered.
• Canceling Too Late: You must cancel your trip within a specific timeframe before your scheduled departure date and will be denied if you cancel after this date.
• Insufficient Documentation: You must provide the specific documentation required to support your claim, such as medical certificates or official letters. Your coverage may be denied without the necessary documentation. 
• Failure To Meet Policy Criteria: Some policies have specific criteria for CFAR coverage, such as residency, age, trip duration, and total trip cost. You may not qualify for a CFAR policy if your trip doesn’t meet the criteria, or your claim may be denied if you get a policy but don’t meet the criteria.

How To Add Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance

You can often add CFAR travel insurance as an optional add-on to a comprehensive travel insurance policy — if your insurance carrier offers it. If you already have travel insurance for your trip, check with your insurance provider about the availability and cost of CFAR travel insurance. 

If your current travel insurance provider doesn’t offer CFAR coverage or you haven’t purchased travel insurance for your trip yet, you can look for a CFAR policy as standalone coverage. Research CFAR travel insurance providers and compare policies to find a policy that works for you. 

Let’s walk through adding CFAR coverage to a standard Seven Corners travel insurance policy.

First, I entered travel information to get travel insurance options. I was offered Trip Protection Basic or Trip Protection Choice. At the bottom, notice both have the option to add CFAR coverage.

I selected Trip Protection Basic and then went forward to the optional coverage option. I was offered both Cancel for Any Reason and Interruption for Any Reason (IFAR) coverage. IFAR is far lower than CFAR , so it’s not a bad idea to add if you’re worried you might run into issues after your trip starts and can no longer use your CFAR coverage.

I added CFAR to my coverage, and the website explained in further detail the requirements for the plan.

CFAR coverage can offer flexibility and give you peace of mind that you can get money back for a canceled trip, no matter the reason. But CFAR travel insurance is more costly than standard trip cancellation insurance — and usually only reimburses up to 75% of your nonrefundable trip cost. Compare travel insurance policies offering Cancel for Any Reason add-ons that meet your needs for travel coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you buy cancel for any reason travel insurance after booking.

Yes, you should buy CFAR travel insurance after booking, but don’t wait too long. You usually need to purchase coverage within 10 to 21 days of the first payment on your trip. 

Read our guide on buying travel insurance after departure to find out more.

Do I need Cancel for Any Reason travel insurance?

Whether you need Cancel for Any Reason travel insurance depends on your risk tolerance and the likelihood you’ll need to cancel. If you’re concerned you’ll have a change of heart, have health, family, or work situations that might require you to reschedule your trip, or worry about conditions at your destination — such as traveling during hurricane season or to an area with political unrest — it’s wise to consider CFAR coverage for your trip.

Can I get Cancel for Any Reason travel insurance after 21 days?

You may find a travel insurance provider that offers Cancel for Any Reason travel insurance after 21 days of booking, but it’s not guaranteed, and your options will undoubtedly be limited. It’s best to purchase travel insurance shortly after you book your travel.

How much does Cancel for Any Reason travel insurance cost?

As with any travel insurance, Cancel for Any Reason travel insurance costs vary depending on factors including the insurance provider, your policy details, trip cost, and your age. You should expect to pay about 10% to 50% more than the base travel insurance policy. For example, on a standard travel insurance policy that costs $200, you should expect to pay $20 to $100 more to add CFAR coverage. You can get quotes from multiple travel insurance providers and compare costs before you purchase a policy.

Can Cancel for Any Reason travel insurance be denied?

Just like regular travel insurance, your claim for Cancel for Any Reason travel insurance may be denied. While you have much more flexibility in the reasons you can cancel your trip and get reimbursement, you’ll still need to work within the policy’s requirements, such as canceling your trip at least 48 hours before departure. 

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About Jessica Merritt

A long-time points and miles student, Jessica is the former Personal Finance Managing Editor at U.S. News and World Report and is passionate about helping consumers fund their travels for as little cash as possible.

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Can You Cancel Travel Insurance?

You did your research and decided that buying travel insurance plan made sense for your upcoming trip. So you purchased your policy, feeling confident and assured that if something went awry — and met the conditions outlined in your policy — you could have reliable recourse for your troubles, potentially in the form of assistance, reimbursements on non-reimbursable, pre-paid costs, and other benefits.

Feels good, right?

But then something happened. Perhaps you found you purchased the wrong policy. Or you’re simply not satisfied with the policy you purchased. Whatever the circumstances, you find yourself seeking answers to one burning question: “Can I cancel travel insurance?”

Don’t worry, we have answers.

So, Can You Cancel Travel Insurance?

In a simple word, yes. Yes you can cancel travel insurance. But you can’t simply cancel travel insurance whenever it’s convenient; you’ll need to cancel your policy within a period of time called a Review Period. This window of time begins at the moment of your purchase and ends at a time determined by your travel insurance provider. 1

For example, with Allianz Global Assistance, the review period is 15 days for most states. If you’re not completely satisfied, you have up to 15 days (or longer, depending on your state of residence) to request a refund, as long as you haven't departed for your trip or filed a claim. (Note: To determine the review period for your state, inquire with the Allianz Global Assistance team — we’ll tell you how to do so in a bit.)

How Do You Cancel Travel Insurance?

The steps to take in order to request a refund for a travel insurance policy within the outlined Review Period may vary based on your provider. If you purchased a policy through Allianz Global Assistance, the fastest way to cancel travel insurance it to visit the online policy management tool . In order to access this tool, log into your account, or simply supply your email address or policy number.

What Should You Do Before You Cancel Travel Insurance?

There are a few reasons you may want to contact Allianz Global Assistance before going through the steps of canceling your policy online. For example, if you’re simply unsure if you purchased the right policy for you and your trip, our specialists can walk you through plan options to ensure you have the right plan with the right benefits for your trip. We encourage you to contact us with any questions, 24 hours a day, by calling us at 1-866-884-3556.

What If You Need To Change Your Travel Insurance Policy?

Perhaps after a little reflection, you want to upgrade your travel insurance policy to a plan with more coverage. Or maybe the dates of the trip for which you originally purchased the plan shifted a bit. As long as you have not yet departed on your trip or filed a claim, you may be able to change your policy be accessing the online policy management tool .

What If You Can’t Cancel Your Travel Insurance?

If you allow the Review Period to lapse, then you are no longer able to cancel your policy.

But this doesn’t mean that the travel insurance policy you purchased still can’t come in handy. For example, if you purchased your policy because your main concern was having the emergency medical benefits — but before the trip even began, you’re forced to cancel your trip for a reason covered in your policy — then you may be able to benefit from trip cancellation protection. This benefit can reimburse the prepaid, nonrefundable costs of your trip, such as airfare, cruise tickets, tour bookings and hotel reservations. 3

While some circumstances are always out of your control, protecting your trip investment is not. Be sure to read your plan documents, especially the Certificate of Insurance/Policy. That way, you can travel confidently knowing you purchased the right plan to help you travel your way.

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• Do I Need Travel Insurance If I Have Health Insurance?
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• InsureMyTrip.com

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Cancel for Any Reason Trip Insurance: Should You Buy It?

One of the decisions you have to make when you plan a trip is whether to buy travel insurance and its related coverage, Cancel for Any Reason Insurance.

Money expert Clark Howard wants you to think about adding this specific coverage because if you don’t, your wallet may not be adequately protected.

“I have gotten complaint after complaint after complaint from people who bought travel insurance and then something went wrong and they couldn’t go on the trip or they got sick on the trip and then their claim was denied.”

In this article, we’ll tell you all about Cancel for Any Reason Coverage, including Clark’s tips on when and where to buy it.

What Is Cancel for Any Reason Coverage?

Cancel for Any Reason coverage is typically an add-on to your base travel insurance policy. As its name implies, you can truly cancel your trip for any reason — including just changing your mind.

This coverage typically provides only partial reimbursement of your prepaid travel, but the point is that you won’t be left empty-handed if your trip provider cancels or you’re not able to make the trip for some reason.

“You only get 50, 60 or 75% of your money,” Clark adds, “but you can wake up and decide that you don’t want to go on a trip. You’ll lose 25-50% but you’ll know you’ve got the other half of the money. There are so many ‘unexpecteds.’”

Why You Should Consider Cancel for Any Reason Coverage

As you may know, Clark recommends that you get travel insurance if your trip matches one of the following criteria:

• It’s a cruise.
• Your trip is non-refundable.
• It requires you to pay thousands of dollars in advance.
• It includes a special tour as part of the trip.

Travel insurance covers a lot of situations and scenarios, but the policies don’t cover everything.

To make sure your travel insurance covers all your needs, Clark recommends that you consider buying Cancel for Any Reason coverage even though it will increase the cost of your policy a bit.

Before You Buy Cancel for Any Reason Insurance

Before you buy Cancel for Any Reason coverage, do your research on your hotel and airline to see if they have cancellation policies that allow you to change plans without a penalty. 

A cancellation policy can usually be found in one of two places:

• On your itinerary
• On the trip provider’s website

Can’t find it? Contact a customer service representative from your trip provider(s) and have them explain their cancellation policy to you.

In some cases, depending on the length of the cancellation window, you might not need cancel for any reason coverage.

Where Not To Buy Cancel for Any Reason Coverage

“Never, never, not ever, buy the travel insurance offered by an airline at its website, a cruise line at its website, a tour operator at its website,” Clark says. 

Clark cites a few reasons why he doesn’t want you to buy what he calls “those house quasi-insurance products:”

• “Because they’re junk,” he says.
• They cost too much money.
• They’re likely not to pay if something happens.

Where To Buy Cancel for Any Reason Insurance

“You want to buy third-party travel insurance,” he says. “And, you can use one of these sites where you can compare multiple insurers like InsureMyTrip.com to see the best deal for you.”

InsureMyTrip is a site that lets you compare different types of travel insurance to get the best price.

Read our thorough review of InsureMyTrip .

When To Buy Cancel for Any Reason Coverage

If you’re not traveling at the last minute, you should buy trip insurance with Cancel for Any Reason coverage within two weeks of booking your trip.

That gives you plenty of lead time to shop for the best policies and compare them.

Final Thoughts

Although they may offer it, you should never buy Cancel for Any Reason coverage from an airline, hotel or car rental website. Instead, Clark wants you to use an independent site that is separate from your travel bookings.

And remember, you may not need Cancel for Any Reason coverage if your travel provider’s policy is adequate. So check there first.

Want some money-saving travel tips? Read Clark’s #1 Rule for Travel .

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What Is Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) Insurance?

Cancel for any reason (CFAR) is an optional benefit that you can add to some trip protection plans . Many standard trip insurance plans include a trip cancellation benefit that reimburses you for nonrefundable prepaid trip costs if you cancel your trip for a named peril that is covered by your protection plan.

If you add CFAR to your protection plan, you can get a reimbursement for nonrefundable prepaid trip costs if you decide to cancel your trip for any reason, not just those listed as a covered peril in the terms of your trip cancellation benefit.

Key Takeaways

• Most comprehensive travel insurance plans include certain trip cancellation benefits.
• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) is optional coverage that you can add to a standard travel insurance policy.
• CFAR can increase the cost of your trip protection plan by 40% to 50%.
• To purchase and use the CFAR benefit, you must comply with strict limitations and exclusions.

What Does Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) Travel Insurance Cover?  

The trip cancellation benefit of most travel insurance plans will reimburse you up to 100% of nonrefundable prepaid trip costs if you cancel all or part of your trip for certain covered reasons, such as:

• Loss of employment suffered by you or a traveling companion (restrictions may apply)
• Serious illness or injury that inhibits you or a traveling companion
• Serious illness or injury experienced by one of your family members
• You enter into legal separation or divorce procedures prior to departure
• Your travel destination is uninhabitable following a natural disaster or other catastrophe

CFAR benefits vary by insurer, but these plans typically reimburse you for 50% to 75% of prepaid trip costs if you cancel your trip for a reason not listed in your travel insurance policy’s trip cancellation terms.

For example, let’s say you pay a nonrefundable deposit for a cruise, but you decide not to go on the voyage after reading negative reviews about the cruise line. Your trip cancellation benefit would not offer a reimbursement, but your CFAR coverage would.

Common reasons to use the CFAR benefit can include:

• Change in itinerary
• Concern over the state of the economy
• Family problems or personal issues
• Financial hardship such as bankruptcy or reduction in salary
• Health concerns such as a viral outbreak on a cruise ship or at a travel destination
• Political unrest in your destination
• Preexisting health condition that impedes your mobility
• Safety concerns about your destination
• Work obligations
• You change your mind about traveling

CFAR has strict eligibility criteria. You must purchase CFAR coverage within a certain period, typically within 15 days of making your initial trip deposit. Your prepaid trip arrangements must be insured when you make the purchase.

You must cancel your trip within the timeframe allowed by the policy, usually no later than 48 hours before your scheduled departure.

CFAR Travel Insurance Costs

Standard travel insurance policies that include trip cancellation typically cost 5% to 10% of your total trip costs on average. Adding optional CFAR will increase the cost of your trip protection plan by 40% to 50%.

We surveyed eight travel insurance companies and found that CFAR costs an average of $223. The study was based on a 28-year-old Florida resident traveling to Costa Rica for 10 days with a total trip cost of $3,500.

Bear in mind that costs can vary widely by insurer. In our study, we found premiums as low as $121 and as high as $315. Before buying a trip protection plan, shop around to compare coverages and rates .

CFAR Travel Insurance Limits and Exclusions

It’s important to understand all CFAR requirements and restrictions before you purchase the coverage. Common CFAR exclusions and limitations include:

• Availability : Some travel insurance providers do not sell CFAR coverage.
• Coverage requirement : Typically, CFAR policies require you to insure 100% of your prepaid trip costs. For instance, you cannot insure your airfare costs but exclude hotel deposits.
• Travel insurance policy requirement : You can add CFAR to a trip protection plan, but you cannot buy the coverage as a standalone policy.
• Purchase time limit : Typically, you must add CFAR coverage within 10 to 21 days of making your first trip deposit.
• Trip reimbursement limits : CFAR only reimburses up to 50% to 75% of your nonrefundable prepaid trip costs.
• Trip cancellation time limit : Most CFAR policies require you to cancel your trip no later than 48 hours prior to your scheduled departure.
• No trip interruption benefit : CFAR coverage only pays when you cancel your entire trip before departure. It will not reimburse prepaid costs for mid-trip interruptions that require you to return home earlier than scheduled.

CFAR Travel Insurance vs. Trip Cancellation Insurance

Many comprehensive travel insurance plans include a trip cancellation benefit. This benefit offers up to 100% reimbursement of nonrefundable prepaid costs if you cancel your trip for a covered reason. For example, you might decide to cancel your trip if a family member dies, or if your destination experiences a natural disaster.

CFAR is optional coverage, which you can add to your standard travel insurance policy for an additional cost. You can use your CFAR benefit if you decide to cancel your trip for a reason not specified in the terms of your trip cancellation coverage. For instance, if you’ve recently experienced unexpected financial difficulties and cannot afford your trip, you can cancel it and receive a 50% to 75% reimbursement of prepaid costs through your CFAR coverage.

Some travel insurance companies offer multiple trip protection plans with varying levels of financial protection. Although some insurers do not provide CFAR coverage, some offer product upgrades that feature benefits equal to or better than CFAR protection.

Before buying a policy, explore the benefits, limits, and exclusions of each plan before deciding which one best fits your needs.

Should You Add CFAR to Your Travel Insurance Policy?

Travel plans can change at a moment’s notice, making CFAR a valuable benefit, particularly for high-cost trips. To understand the value of the CFAR benefit, look no further than the daily news. Events such as viral outbreaks, violence, social unrest, and natural disasters occur without warning, wreaking havoc on communities.

Although the trip cancellation benefit of most trip protection plans enables you to cancel a trip for certain clearly defined reasons, CFAR gives you the option to abandon your travel plans based on your own circumstances.

Can I Get CFAR Insurance After I Pay for My Trip?

Yes. Most travel insurance companies allow you to add cancel for any reason (CFAR) to your travel insurance policy within a specific timeframe, typically 10 to 21 days after you make your first trip deposit.

Is There a Time Limit on Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance?

To use your CFAR benefit, you must cancel within a period specified in the coverage terms. Most CFAR policies require you to cancel no less than 48 hours before your departure time, but some policies impose a 72-hour time limit.

Does Free Cancellation Mean Full Refund?

Although trip cancellation coverage reimburses you for up to 100% of your prepaid nonrefundable trip costs, CFAR only reimburses up to 50% to 75% of these costs. CFAR is an optional coverage that will increase the cost of your travel insurance policy. But it could save you thousands of dollars if you decide to cancel your trip for a reason not covered by the trip cancellation benefit.

What Is the Difference Between Trip Cancellation Insurance and Trip Insurance?

Trip cancellation is a common benefit of many comprehensive travel insurance policies. It reimburses you up to 100% of your prepaid nonrefundable trip expenses if you must cancel for a reason specifically covered by the policy, such as a death in your family.

CFAR is an optional coverage that you can add to a comprehensive travel insurance policy. This type of coverage enables you to cancel your trip for a reason not specified in your trip cancellation coverage. For instance, you might cancel a trip if the weather is bad in your travel destination. CFAR pays only a portion of your prepaid nonrefundable trip costs, usually 50% to 75%.

Travel insurance is a valuable investment when you’re heading off on an expensive vacation. Although the trip cancellation benefit of most trip protection plans enables you to recoup costs when canceling your trip for specific reasons, it doesn’t give you the option to cancel on your own terms.

CFAR coverage expands your trip protection by reimbursing you for a percentage of your trip costs if you decide to cancel for reasons not allowed by your trip cancellation coverage. However, CFAR is a pricey add-on coverage, so it’s not necessarily the best option for all travelers or all itineraries.

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Trip Cancellation Benefits

What is trip cancellation protection.

AXA Travel Protection trip cancellation coverage can offer reimbursement to travelers who are compelled to cancel their trips due to unforeseen events before their trip departure. This coverage extends to various scenarios, each covered under specific conditions.  

 Let's explore these situations and understand the invaluable protection they provide below:

Trip Cancellation Qualifications

1. Health-Related Cancellations: If you, as a traveler, experience sickness, accidental injury, or face a tragic event resulting in death or a certified physician deems it necessary to impose medical restrictions preventing your participation in the trip due to the reasons above, this coverage comes to your aid.  

 Crucially, a physician must advise trip cancellation on or before the scheduled departure date. 

2. Family and Travel Companion Health: This coverage also applies if a family member or traveling companion booked to join you on the trip falls ill, sustains accidental injuries, and requires necessary medical treatment, leading to the cancellation of your trip. 

3. Non-Traveling Family Member: In unfortunate circumstances where a non-traveling family member experiences sickness, accidental injury or death, this coverage can offer coverage. 

4. Host at Destination: If the host at your trip's destination passes away or is hospitalized within 30 days of your trip's date, this coverage can apply. 

5. Employment-Related Cancellations: Employment-related issues, such as termination or layoff from full-time employment after one year of continuous service through no fault during your trip, are covered. 

6. Employment Transfer: If your employment requires a transfer of 250 miles or more, and the transfer necessitates relocating your home, this coverage applies. 

7. Military Duty: If a previously approved military leave is revoked or a military reassignment during the trip, this coverage offers coverage. It excludes incidents related to war. 

8. Natural Disasters and Weather: Unforeseen weather conditions, leading to the complete cessation of services for at least 48 consecutive hours by your common carrier or a natural disaster at your destination rendering accommodations uninhabitable make you eligible for coverage. Notably, this coverage does not apply if the natural disaster has been forecasted or a storm has been named before purchasing the policy. 

9. Terrorism: A terrorist incident occurring in your departure city, or a city listed on your trip itinerary within 30 days before your scheduled departure date qualifies for coverage. It is important to note that benefits are not provided if the travel supplier offers a substitute itinerary. This excludes flight connections and other transportation arrangements to reach your destination. Your departure date must be at most 15 months beyond your effective date. Incidents on in-flight aircraft are not covered. 

10. Assault and Other Incidents: If you or your traveling companion are victims of felonious assault, experience hijacking, quarantine, jury duty, subpoena, or if your home becomes uninhabitable due to a natural disaster or burglary within ten days before your departure, this coverage applies. 

11. Traffic Accident: A direct involvement in a traffic accident en route to departure, substantiated by a police report provided to AXA, is a valid reason for trip cancellation coverage. 

12. Travel Supplier Default: The coverage extends to cases of bankruptcy or default of a travel supplier, leading to a cessation of travel services. Benefits will be paid due to bankruptcy or default of an airline only if no alternative transportation is available. If alternate transportation is available, benefits will be limited to the change fee charged to allow you to transfer to another airline to reach your intended destination. This benefit only applies if your scheduled departure date is no more than 15 months beyond your policy's effective date. 

13. Common Carrier Strike: In the event of a strike by the common carrier with whom you or your traveling companion are scheduled to travel, resulting in complete cessation of services for at least forty-eight (48) consecutive hours, this coverage comes into play. 

Exclusive to Platinum Policy Holders 

 1. Business Disruption: In cases where your or your traveling companion's company becomes unsuitable for business due to fire, flood, burglary, vandalism, or other natural disasters, and you are responsible for policy and decision-making within the company and are actively involved in disaster recovery, this coverage is here for support. 

2. Required Work: If you or your traveling companion are required to work during the trip, substantiated by a notarized statement from an officer of the employer, this benefit provides coverage. It is unavailable to independent contractors, temporary employees, self-employed individuals, or company owners or partners. 

3. Company Events: If your or your traveling companion's company is directly involved in a merger, acquisition, government-required product recall, bankruptcy or default proceedings, and you are an active employee directly involved in said event, you are eligible for coverage. 

Is Trip Cancellation coverage necessary?

Whether Trip Cancellation coverage is necessary depends on the individual circumstances and needs. Some people need to cancel their trip due to unexpected events such as sickness, work emergencies, or changes in personal plans. 

In general, having a Trip Cancellation is a personal decision that should be based on the traveler's specific needs and circumstances. It's a good idea to consider Trip Cancellation coverage, especially if the trip involves a significant investment of time and resources.

Get a free Travel Insurance quote today to ease your mind before and during your trip.

Do I need Trip Cancellation coverage?

Having Trip Cancellation coverage is a clever idea. It offers coverage and assistance for multiple reasons. All three of AXA’s travel plans include Trip Cancellation, maximum coverage per person up to:

Maximum Benefit: 100% of Insured Trip Cost Airline Reissue or Cancelation Fees: $100

Maximum Benefit: 100% of Insured Trip Cost Airline Reissue or Cancelation Fees: $100 Reinstate Frequent Traveler Awards: $200

Explore our Silver , Gold , and Platinum plans.

  why choose axa travel protection.

With a presence in over 30 countries worldwide, AXA provides assistance with a wide range of features that include:  •    Extensive knowledge of local health risks and medical facilities to respond swiftly in the event of a medical emergency •    24/7 global team of travel experts that offers assistance and assurance while traveling

Compare Travel Insurance Plans

Get covered against Trip Delays, Medical Emergencies, Lost Baggage, and more!

Trip Cancellation Insurance FAQs  

What types of vacations does trip cancellation apply to.

Trip Cancellation is applied to any vacation. Whether you are going on a cruise, tour destination, flight, domestic travel, or international travel, Trip Cancellation coverage is applied.

  When does Trip Cancellation Coverage begin?

Two things must occur before coverage can begin: Trip Cancellation Coverage begins when a specific travel package has been selected, and Trip Cancellation coverage begins on the day after the authorized representative receives the required premium for such coverage.

When does Trip Cancellation Coverage end?

Trip Cancellation Coverage will end if any of the following occurs: •    When you depart for your trip on the scheduled departure time on the scheduled departure date or •    The date and time you cancel your trip, or Two (2) days prior to the scheduled departure time on the scheduled departure date of your trip.  

How to get a Travel Protection Quote

Receive a  free quote  within minutes Or call us at  855-327-1441  to speak with our licensed Travel Insurance Advisors. Monday-Saturday, 8 AM-7 PM Central Time

Need Help Choosing a Plan?

Speak with one of our licensed representatives or our 24/7 multilingual Insurance advisors to find the coverage you need for your next trip. From Medical Coverage to Trip Cancellation protection, our team of travel experts will help you choose the right coverage.

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Travel Insurance

What is trip cancellation travel insurance?

Lizzie Nealon

Kara McGinley

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Updated 9:17 a.m. UTC Nov. 13, 2023

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• Trip cancellation insurance covers your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses if you’re unable to travel due to certain unforeseen circumstances, such as an illness or the death of a family member.
• Trip cancellation insurance generally won’t cover foreseeable or preventable events, such as a hurricane that was named before you bought coverage. 
• Basic trip cancellation insurance typically costs between 5% and 10% of the total cost of your trip.

The average household spent more than $2,000 a year on travel before the pandemic. As traveling rebounds and you’re ready to plan your next trip, a trip cancellation policy can give you peace of mind. But it’s important to understand what trip cancellation insurance does and does not cover.  

What is trip cancellation insurance?

Trip cancellation insurance is a type of travel insurance designed to reimburse you for prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses when you cancel your trip because of a reason listed in your policy. 

Trip cancellation insurance is often part of a comprehensive travel insurance plan, but it can also be purchased separately. 

You can typically purchase trip cancellation insurance up to the day before your scheduled departure. It’s best, however, to buy a travel insurance plan as soon as you make your first trip deposit. You won’t be charged extra for buying a plan earlier, and you will be covered for a longer period of time.

What trip cancellation insurance covers

Trip cancellation insurance can reimburse you for 100% of your nonrefundable and prepaid trip costs if you cancel for a covered reason, which may include: 

• Death of your travel companion, business partner or family member (policies differ on who is considered a family member).
• Injury or illness of you or a travel companion (documented by a doctor).
• Complications from pregnancy for you or your travel companion.
• Traffic accident en route to departure.
• Mechanical breakdown or other failure of your transportation.
• Mandated shutdown of an airport or air traffic control system.
• Air traffic control or airport shutdown due to fire or power outage.
• Mandatory evacuation due to an unforeseen natural disaster.
• Severe, sudden weather.
• Your home or your trip lodging is uninhabitable due to a natural disaster, vandalism or burglary.
• Hurricane warning or hurricane watch (you must have purchased the policy before the storm was named).
• Terrorist attack.

What trip cancellation insurance does not cover

While trip cancellation policies differ, most plans will not cover incidents that could be foreseen or planned around. For instance, most trip cancellation policies will not cover cancellations resulting from:

• Alcohol or substance use.
• Committing a felony.
• Dental treatment or elective procedures.
• Harm resulting from dangerous activities such as skydiving or bungee jumping.
• Mental or nervous health disorders.
• Normal pregnancy and childbirth.
• Participation in amateur or professional sporting events.
• Self-harm. 

What is “cancel for any reason” coverage?  

If you want to be able to cancel your trip for any reason, not only those specified in your policy, consider buying “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage. This premium upgrade will add about 50% to the cost of your trip cancellation insurance but will give you greater flexibility with your plans.  

CFAR coverage typically reimburses up to 75% of your nonrefundable trip costs when you cancel a trip. But you have to cancel at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure if you hope to file a successful CFAR claim. 

How much does trip cancellation insurance cost?

A basic travel insurance policy with trip cancellation coverage typically costs between 5% and 10% of the total cost of your trip. That means if you take a $5,000 safari trip to Tanzania, your travel insurance might cost between $250 and $500. 

How much you pay for trip cancellation insurance will depend on the travel insurance company, the plan and level of coverage you choose, the number of travelers in your party and their ages, your trip length and trip expenses. 

How to get trip cancellation insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance policies usually include trip cancellation benefits, but you can also buy a standalone trip cancellation policy. 

To shop for trip cancellation insurance, follow these steps. 

• Check if your credit card has travel insurance. If your credit card provides trip cancellation benefits when you pay for trip expenses with that card, you may opt to skip buying a separate trip insurance policy.
• Compare quotes. Choose a travel insurance company by comparing travel insurance plans and quotes online . 
• Buy the plan you want. You can buy travel insurance online. Be prepared to enter your travel dates and destination, the total value of your trip and information about your travel companions.
• Review your plan . After buying travel insurance, you typically have a free look period of 14 or 15 days. If you read the details of your plan and decide it’s not a good fit, you can cancel and request a refund during that period. 

Credit card rewards and trip cancellation insurance

The following cards provide complimentary travel insurance with trip cancellation benefits when you pay for your travel using the card :

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. .
• Chase Freedom Flex℠ * The information for the Chase Freedom Flex℠ has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. .
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card .
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® .
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card .¹
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card * The information for the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. .
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. .¹
• The Platinum Card® from American Express .¹
• United℠ Explorer Card * The information for the United℠ Explorer Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. .
• United Club℠ Infinite Card * The information for the United Club℠ Infinite Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

All information about The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint.

Check to see if your credit card offers travel insurance with trip purchases and what coverage it provides. Travel insurance provided by credit cards isn’t usually as comprehensive as a separate policy.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Trip cancellation insurance reimburses you for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if you need to cancel a trip for a covered reason. Valid reasons for trip cancellation typically include unforeseen events such as a death in the family, sudden weather that leaves your destination uninhabitable or an illness that is documented by a doctor.

Most travel insurance plans bundle together several types of coverage, including trip cancellation insurance. If you have trip cancellation insurance, you can file a claim for any prepaid and nonrefundable expenses associated with a trip when you decide to cancel for a reason listed in your policy. 

When it comes to travel insurance, you’re not limited to cancellation coverage. The best comprehensive travel insurance plans also include coverage for incidents related to epidemics, emergency medical needs, baggage loss and damage, travel delays and trip interruption.

¹Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

*The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Chase Freedom Flex℠, Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, United Club℠ Infinite Card and United℠ Explorer Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Lizzie's commentary has been published in Bankrate, CNBC, the Washington Post, the Washington Examiner, MSN and more.

Kara McGinley is deputy editor of insurance at USA TODAY Blueprint and a licensed home insurance expert. Previously, she was a senior editor at Policygenius, where she specialized in homeowners and renters insurance. Her work and insights have been featured in MSN, Lifehacker, Kiplinger, PropertyCasualty360 and more.

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5 Best Travel Insurance for Trip Cancellation

Home | Travel | 5 Best Travel Insurance for Trip Cancellation

When traveling abroad, get a policy from one of the  best travel insurance companies . Y ou can get a  5% discount   on Heymondo , the only insurance that pays medical bills upfront for you, HERE!

Buying trip cancellation insurance doesn’t have to be difficult. Most travel insurance that isn’t just travel medical insurance includes some kind of cancellation coverage for unexpected situations, such as illness, injury, or inclement weather. Other travel insurance companies also offer optional upgrades for trip cancellation insurance .

Trip Cancellation Insurance – Best Travel Insurance for Trip Cancellation

While travel insurance for trip cancellation is helpful for any traveler to have, not all cancellation reasons are covered by trip insurance cancellation policies. This article will explain what trip cancellation insurance is, what it covers, and how much it costs.

I will also cover the best travel insurance for trip cancellation , which is definitely Heymondo . Their trip cancellation coverage includes job termination, illness, injury, unexpected death, legal summons, and more, and their coverage-to-price ratio for trip cancellation coverage and emergency medical expense coverage is outstanding.

You can even save 5% on Heymondo insurance plans just for being a CTA reader.

5% OFF your travel insurance

What is trip cancellation insurance?

You never know when something unexpected is going to occur and cause you to cancel your travel plans. Trip cancellation insurance allows you to cancel your trip and get reimbursed for 100% of your travel costs, as long as the reason you cancel is covered by your trip insurance cancellation policy.

Covered reasons generally include serious and unexpected events, such as the death of a family member, a sudden illness, or an uninhabitable home.

Trip cancellation coverage is a part of most travel insurance, but you can also get optional trip cancellation insurance upgrades, including cancel for work reasons and cancel for any reason. Travel insurance with cancel for any reason is especially useful if you want to make sure that you can cancel your trip for absolutely any reason, even if it’s not covered by your policy.

What is a covered reason for trip cancellation?

As I mentioned above, covered reasons for trip cancellation are generally restricted to severe, pressing, and unforeseen events. Most trip cancellation insurance policies allow cancellation for the following reasons:

• Unexpected illness/injury that makes you or your travel companion unable to travel, per doctor’s orders.
• Unexpected illness/death/hospitalization of a non-traveling family member.
• Severe weather conditions that affect your ability to travel, whether they’re in your residential area or at your destination.
• Unanticipated natural disaster at home or at your destination.
• Legal obligation (jury duty, subpoena, etc.).

Nowadays, “unexpected illness” usually includes COVID-19, but make sure that you have COVID-19 travel insurance so you’re covered if you contract the coronavirus.

Some trip cancellation insurance companies also cover cancellation for work reasons (termination, work issue, etc.) in their general trip insurance cancellation policies, but some only offer it as an upgrade.

Cancellation reasons that are usually not covered by trip cancellation insurance include:

• Self-inflicted injuries
• Pregnancy and related issues
• Substance abuse
• Mental health issues
• Military duty
• Sports events/training
• Travel carrier’s bankruptcy

If you want to ensure that these reasons or any others are covered by your travel insurance cancellation policy , get travel insurance with cancel for any reason instead of trip cancellation insurance .

How much does trip cancellation insurance cost?

The cost of your trip cancellation insurance will be based on a number of factors, including your home country/state (if you live in the US) and your destination. Your age will significantly affect your trip insurance cancellation price since the older you are, the more expensive your travel insurance for trip cancellation will be.

Similarly, the length and cost of your trip will have a major impact on the price of your vacation cancellation insurance , since the longer and more expensive your trip is, the more expensive your trip cancellation insurance will be.

To help you get an idea of how much trip insurance cancellation costs, below is a chart comparing five different types of travel insurance for trip cancellation . To get the trip cancellation insurance prices, I used the example of a 30-year-old American male citizen from Pennsylvania who is traveling to Mexico for two weeks and whose trip costs $2,500.

*Price used for example.

What is the best trip cancellation insurance?

As you can see from the chart above, the best travel insurance for trip cancellation is Heymondo . Not only is it one of the most affordable trip cancellation insurance plans, but it also has the highest amount of emergency medical expense and trip cancellation coverage .

Still, all five plans have their own benefits, so keep reading to find out more about each travel insurance for trip cancellation plan and figure out which one is best for you.

1. Heymondo , the best travel insurance for trip cancellation

If you want the best travel insurance for trip cancellation , Heymondo is the perfect option for you. Their Top plan covers all the main trip cancellation reasons you’ll need, such as a government advisory against traveling, legal summons, and job termination, while still being affordable.

Also, their emergency medical expense coverage is unmatched, so if you do end up traveling, you won’t have to worry about having enough coverage. Best of all, you will never have to deal with the stress of filing a claim to get reimbursed for medical expenses. Heymondo pays all of your medical expenses upfront for you.

We have used Heymondo insurance for all our trips during the last two years and so far, everything’s been great. That said, we’ve been lucky enough not to have to cancel any trips in that time. However, we have used their medical assistance a couple of times and the service has always been superb.

If you want to get Heymondo insurance for an even more affordable price, you can save 5% on their plans with the discount link below.

2. World Nomads , a cheap travel insurance for trip cancellation

World Nomads is a fantastic choice if you want the most affordable trip cancellation insurance . Their Standard plan offers coverage for a range of work-related reasons, including a requirement to work, merger, acquisition, and bankruptcy, so it’s ideal if you have a high-powered job where one of these situations could easily come up.

World Nomads also provides coverage for many different cancellation reasons, including burglary, jury duty, inclement weather, and terrorism.

However, World Nomads’ maximum trip cancellation coverage limit is rather low since it only reimburses trip costs up to $2,500. Its emergency medical expense coverage is also rather low, particularly in relation to its price, so if you want a higher trip cancellation coverage maximum limit and higher emergency medical expense coverage, go with Heymondo .

3. IMG , an affordable vacation cancellation insurance

If you want affordable travel insurance for trip cancellation , look no further than IMG . Their iTravelInsured Travel Lite trip cancellation insurance provides an excellent coverage-to-price ratio, since a wide range of reasons is covered, from passport theft and quarantine to financial default of a travel carrier and work transfers.

Trip cancellation coverage is up to a maximum limit of $25,000. You can even get Cancel for Work Reasons coverage as an optional upgrade with the iTravelInsured Travel SE and iTravelInsured Travel LX plans.

One limitation of IMG’s trip insurance cancellation plan is its rather low emergency medical expense coverage for its price. You can get much higher emergency medical expense coverage from Heymondo for about the same price, so IMG is better suited for travelers who don’t mind having lower medical coverage.

4. AIG , a reliable insurance for trip cancellation only

AIG offers excellent travel insurance for trip cancellation . You can cancel your trip for any of the reasons listed in the policy and be reimbursed for insured trip costs up to a maximum limit of $100,000.

Even better, if you buy your AIG trip cancellation insurance policy within 15 days of your initial trip payment, cancellation due to the financial default of a travel carrier is included in your policy at no extra cost.

AIG’s trip insurance cancellation policy already includes many covered cancellation reasons, such as work transfers, military duty, and traffic accidents. You can also upgrade your policy to include cancellation due to civil disorder or riot.

However, AIG’s plan is the most expensive of all the trip insurance cancellation plans I compared, and it has very low emergency medical expense coverage, especially for the plan’s price. If you want to save money, you can easily get similar coverage with a plan like Heymondo ’s .

5. Allianz , a good trip insurance cancellation

Another good trip cancellation insurance is Allianz . Their trip cancellation coverage includes a wide variety of reasons, from natural disasters and inclement weather to terrorism and termination. If you purchase their OneTrip Prime plan, you can even get Required to Work cancellation coverage as an optional upgrade.

Keep in mind that you will only get reimbursed for canceling your trip if you cancel it before you have left. You must also inform all your travel suppliers that you will be canceling within 72 hours of deciding to cancel, or else you may not be fully reimbursed.

While Allianz’s trip insurance cancellation policy is pretty solid, their emergency medical expense coverage is very low, so if you do end up traveling, you might not have the coverage you need. You can also get similar or better trip cancellation coverage, like Heymondo ’s , for a more affordable price.

Is trip cancellation insurance worth it?

Ultimately, trip cancellation insurance is worth having as part of general travel insurance. Most travel insurance already covers a lot of cancellation reasons, so there’s no need to shell out for optional upgrades unless you really think you’ll need them.

You’ll be all set and get great coverage if you go for the best travel insurance for trip cancellation , Heymondo . Plus, you can even save 5% on their insurance with the discount link below.

Don't miss a 5% discount on your HeyMondo travel insurance  

and the only one that pays all your medical bills upfront for you!

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• Travel Insurance

Trip Cancellation Insurance – What is Covered?

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10 Best Travel Insurance of 2024

Travel insurance protects you from a variety of financial risks and losses that can happen before and while you are traveling. These losses can be minor, like a lost passport or suitcase, or significant, like a medical emergency overseas.

Besides offering you financial protection, another benefit of travel insurance is access to assistant services anywhere in the world.

Types of Travel Insurance

As with any insurance, there are varying levels of coverage and reimbursement options. The two main types of travel insurance are:

• Trip Cancellation
• Foreign Medical Coverage

But you can also find policies that cover lost luggage, kidnapping, and countless other things that could go wrong while you are traveling.

Although trip cancellation benefits are one of the most commonly found travel insurance benefits, it is possibly the most misunderstood. While trip cancellation insurance can provide assistance in the worst-case scenario , it also comes with a very strict set of rules and regulations.

Before canceling your trip and filing a claim for trip cancellation, we recommend that you understand what trip cancellation insurance will—and won’t—cover.

Trip cancellation insurance reimburses you (up to the covered amount) for pre-paid, nonrefundable travel expenses if you have to cancel your trip for a covered reason.

In other words, if you’ve bought nonrefundable airline tickets, prepaid a hotel, car rental, and other types of reservations, and you have to cancel the trip, trip cancellation insurance will reimburse you for a percentage of what you’ve spent.

Trip cancellation and emergency travel insurance coverage go into effect before you’ve even left the house. This benefit also pays for a traveling companion’s trip cancellation costs even if your trip does not suffer the same fate.

Trip Cancellation Coverage

Each provider defines what is covered under its trip cancellation policy.

The most common acceptable reasons include:

• death of the traveler, their travel companion or an immediate family member
• sudden business conflicts
• weather-related issues

Other common reasons for trip cancellations are:

• family or medical emergency
• death of a family member or host
• a hurricane bearing down on your destination
• the tour operator or cruise line going out of business
• traffic accidents
• work conflicts
• theft or loss of passports or visas
• bankruptcy or financial default
• terrorism or mandatory evacuations
• schedule conflicts

Trip cancellation will cover you for the reasons stated above under the stipulations outlined in your policy.

In order to submit a travel insurance claim, you need to provide documented proof of the event or situation taking place and thorough documentation of every cost associated with your trip.

You must also account for any refunds you’ve already received, which includes all invoices and itemized bills, refund evidence from a travel agent, hotel, property managers or Airbnb, officially documented reason for the cancellation, originals of unused tickets, and letters from tour operators or travel agents enumerating non-refundable costs and reasons.

What’s NOT Covered?

Missing from the list above are other unforeseen events. This means that if the insurance plan doesn’t list an event, the cancellation won’t be covered.

All companies offer different coverage that may or may not include the following:

Hurricane Season

If you planned and paid for your trip when there was a storm in the vicinity that had already been named, your claim will be denied. Travel insurance is designed to protect you from unforeseen and sudden events.

Doctor Examination

If you or someone you are traveling with becomes too ill to travel, this is a valid reason to cancel your trip and receive a reimbursement from your insurer.

However, a doctor must examine you BEFORE you initiate the claim and complete a physician statement form. If you are not feeling well and cancel the trip without seeing a doctor, the claim will be denied.

Not Enough Time Passed To Qualify As A Delay

Generally, travel insurance will only cover significant delays that affect at least 50% or more of your trip. So, if you get frustrated at an airport delay, you will need to be stuck at the airport for a significant amount of time for the travel insurance to honor the claim.

Veterinary Situations

Generally, many travel insurance policies do not view veterinary situations as acceptable circumstances to cancel a trip, including rescheduling a trip because an airline cannot accommodate a pet.

In this case, you should consider adding a Cancel for Any Reason policy to your insurance plan (more on that below).

Other reasons where trip cancellation insurance won’t cover you are:

• you feel taking the trip would be unsafe
• there are civil riots at your destination
• mental or psychological disorders such as anxiety or depression
• you, your traveling companion or family member committed an unlawful act

It’s important to note, however, that some companies offer Cancel for Any Reason coverage at an additional cost, which would cover for the situations mentioned above.

Cancel for Any Reason Coverage

Cancel for Any Reason Coverage is an optional travel insurance benefit. With this, it doesn’t matter why you have to cancel your trip—you just can. However, it is subject to some restrictions.

In order to get the trip cancellation coverage under the Cancel for Any Reason benefit you must:

• purchase your travel insurance plan within days of your initial deposit (usually between 14 and 21 days) and pay an additional fee
• insure 100% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip cost regardless of any other travel insurance you might have
• cancel with the travel supplier 48 to 72 hours before your departure date (depending on the plan)

Once added, you can cancel your trip for any reason. When the claim is filed, you may be reimbursed for a portion of your nonrefundable trip, usually between 50 and 75 percent of its cost. 

However, bear in mind that it may cost extra to upgrade the travel insurance to Cancel for Any Reason.

In addition, some travel insurance providers have different policies regarding pre-existing medical conditions.

Some do not allow for them at all, and some allow for them provided it’s documented that they’ve been under control for a certain amount of time. Still, other policies will allow you to pay extra so that all pre-existing conditions are covered.

Plan Before You Travel

Before you start packing, there are a few other important things that you should know about trip cancellation insurance:

• The effective date for trip cancellation coverage begins at 12:01 a.m. the day after the premium is paid.
• The coverage ends at the earliest of either: the cancellation of your trip, or the date and time you start your trip.
• In order to cancel your trip, you must notify the plan provider before your trip departure (unless you are incapable of doing so)

We know that travel insurance can be complicated, but in many cases, it can also be a financial blessing (especially for large, nonrefundable travel expenses). Depending on your travel plan, trip cancellation protection can safeguard your investment and give you peace of mind.

If you are planning a trip and are thinking about adding trip cancellation coverage, it is essential that you familiarize yourself with different policies and read all the terms and conditions before buying a plan. 

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I'm a financial planner, and I'd recommend annual travel insurance to anyone who loves to travel abroad

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

• Frequent and spontaneous travelers will likely benefit from annual travel insurance policies.
• Your credit card may come with some travel protections, but it may not be enough.
• When choosing a policy, look at what it covers, not just what's cheapest.

Summer is just a few months away — and if you're planning a vacation this year, the last thing you want is an unexpected event to derail your plans (and cost you hundreds).

Flights get delayed or canceled constantly. Luggage disappears into the ether. Medical emergencies occur in remote destinations. Yet many jetsetters simply cross their fingers and hope for the best rather than prepare for the worst.

That's why, as a financial planner, I believe it's crucial to consider protecting your trips with the right insurance coverage. One option often overlooked, particularly by frequent travelers, is annual travel insurance .

Annual travel insurance covers all your trips within 365 days. Unlike stand-alone travel insurance, which only covers you for a specific trip, an annual policy covers any trips you take within the year.

That's why I tell clients who travel frequently that an annual policy is a good choice for their needs. By opting for an annual plan, you don't have to go through the hassle of booking multiple policies and potentially save money compared to purchasing individual trip coverage. Here's how it works.

What to look for in a policy

While specifics may vary depending on the insurer and plan tier, most include the following key benefits:

• Trip cancellations or interruptions: You may be able to get reimbursed for expenses (even nonrefundable ones!) related to an illness, injury, or natural disaster that forced you to cancel or cut your trip short.
• Emergency medical and dental care: If you fall ill or get injured while traveling, your insurance can help cover the cost of medical treatment.
• Emergency evacuation: In a serious medical emergency or security situation, your policy will arrange and pay for transportation to a hospital or back to your home country.
• Lost, delayed, or damaged baggage: If your luggage is lost, delayed, or damaged during your trip, you can get financial coverage for essential items while you wait for your stuff to be recovered or replaced.
• Trip delays and missed connections: When your travel plans are disrupted due to issues like mechanical problems or severe weather, you may get reimbursement for additional expenses incurred, like meals, lodging, and transportation.

It's important to note that annual travel insurance plans have limitations. Certain high-risk activities, pre-existing medical conditions, and travel to specific regions may be restricted or require additional coverage.

Some travelers may assume that their credit card's built-in travel protections are enough. While many travel rewards credit cards offer perks like rental car insurance, trip cancellation, and baggage reimbursement, the coverage limits are often much lower than a dedicated annual travel insurance plan.

Credit card coverage for emergency medical care is also particularly limited — capped at a few thousand dollars — which may not be enough in the face of a major international medical emergency.

How much travel justifies an annual plan?

For the occasional traveler who takes one or two trips a year, single-trip policies will probably work for you. But if you fall into any of these buckets, you may want to consider an annual policy:

• Regular international travelers (three or more trips abroad yearly)
• Road warriors frequently away for work
• Adventurers engaging in high-risk activities like heli-skiing, scuba diving, or mountain climbing
• Cruisers and tour group travelers
• Students or retirees taking extended trips throughout the year
• Those visiting developing countries with limited medical care

Annual plans cover all of your trips within a 365-day period after purchasing. They're basically a bundle of multiple policies into one package deal. This means you only have to buy one policy to manage, locking in your coverage for the year.

How to decide if an annual policy makes sense for you

Start by reviewing your travel plans this year — and your risk tolerance. Calculate how much buying individual travel insurance policies would cost you over the next year and compare it to the price of an annual plan.

Don't just focus on the premium — carefully evaluate coverage limits, exclusions, and deductibles to ensure you have enough protection for your needs.

An annual policy gives you the flexibility to take spontaneous trips without the hassle of obtaining last-minute insurance. More importantly, it provides peace of mind, knowing that you're covered for a wide range of travel disruptions and emergencies.

As the busy summer travel season ramps up, definitely explore protecting your trips with insurance, especially if you're jetting off internationally. Spending hours on the phone trying to rebook canceled flights or worrying about affording an overseas medical emergency is no way to vacation.

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• Refundable fares ...

Refundable fares or travel insurance?

The two hotels and the airline are offering 'non-refundable' fares that are considerably cheaper than refundable ones. The savings is so great that I'd save money buying separate insurance and using the non-refundable fares. Does this make sense? I'm just worried I'm missing some crucial detail. The insurance is $600 but the difference in fares is about $3,000.

$600 for travel insurance sounds like a rip off. Not unless it is for 4 people and covers evacuation costs $50,000

Most buy non-refundable and the insurance offered with the plane ticket.

$600 for cancellation insurance only on the plane fare and hotels looks awfully high to me. I'd look at a broker such as insuremytrip for travel policies that you can tailor to your needs. But with any cancellation policies, you have to look carefully at what is excluded. Even "cancel for no reason" policies come with exclusions and limitations.

Or is this a comprehensive travel policy covering everyone in your party for cancellation, interruption, medical, and evacuation? Where are you getting this insurance from and what is its coverage?

A non-refundable air fare doesn't necessarily mean that you cant reschedule the air travel. I would likely involve a re-booking fee and the re-booking fee would be substantially less then $3000. And check the conditions on trip cancellation.

We always cover the airline change fees not the whole cost of the flights. We get medical evacuation insurance plus medical coverage. Do not actually cover whole trips unless it is a cruise or a tour.

RE: We always cover the airline change fees not the whole cost of the flights.

Take care to read the Terms and Conditions of any insurance carefully. Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) policies have some very specific requirements.

https://www.insuremytrip.com/travel-insurance-plans-coverages/cancel-for-any-reason/

Eligibility Requirements Typically, a policy must be purchased within 10-21 days of making the initial trip payment to be eligible for CFAR benefits. Often, providers will require CFAR purchasers to insure the entire dollar amount of their travels in order to receive the coverage. Additional requirements may be stated by the providers for those interested in buying a CFAR policy. Be sure to thoroughly read and understand any and all terms before you make your purchase.

We have had several very large claims paid in full. We read the fine print and always buy insurance from Travel Guard as soon as we book our trips.

You might want to consider looking at your credit cards to see if you already have some sort of trip cancellation/trip interruption coverage from your credit card. I have excellent coverage through Chase so I don't buy extra travel insurance anymore. You won't know unless you do a little research.

Why not just decide “I’m going, no matter what”

What on earth could possibly cause you to not take your international flight? Sick? Who cares! Get in the plane and go. Unless you’re in a coma there’s really no reason.

Why not just decide “I’m going, no matter what” What on earth could possibly cause you to not take your international flight? Sick? Who cares! Get in the plane and go. Unless you’re in a coma there’s really no reason

Personal illness isn't the only reason a trip might be cancelled or postponed. What about death of a loved one. Catastrophic illness of a family member. Job loss, (or less serious, the boss cancels your leave). The house burns down.

When I buy the flight going over, I always buy the non-refundable fare in Basic Economy and no trip insurance. One time in the last ten years I gave in and bought trip insurance at the airport, SFO. Likewise in booking the hotel in a 3 star, , the non-refundable rate for a single.

If that trip insurance is “cancel for any reason” (like, I just changed my mind, or whatever), that $600 may not be so unreasonable. But that is not a wise purchase. Cancellation coverage should cover unforeseen circumstances that arise, generally a serious illness by you, a traveling companion, or a non-traveling family member (in which case it usually has to be a very serious, life-threatening condition).

As for saying one is going to fly no matter what or how sick, that is unwise and not allowed if the airline suspects the illness. You can be denied boarding if they think you are too ill to fly. And if they don’t notice and you fly with a contagious illness like influenza, that is not only foolhardy but very inconsiderate.

Or you could be faced with a cancer diagnosis between booking the flights and the date of the trip, like I was. The departure date fell right near the end of my radiation treatment which lasted six weeks. I was young and healthy when I booked the trip, and never considered travel insurance. Fortunately, SAS let me postpone my departure by two weeks and re-book the return flight, without penalty. But that was 20 years ago, and such mercy appears to be very scarce these days.

If you have a significant amount of money invested in non-refundable expenses, more than you can afford to lose, or even more than you feel comfortable losing, the prudent thing is to cover them with a reasonable cancellation policy. But not a “cancel for any reason” one, which extracts a heavy premium for the right to change your mind.

I used to think, like Tim, that there was no reason I could imagine that we wouldn’t take our trips, so I booked a non-refundable rate at a Madrid hotel. Silly me. We were to fly to Spain after attending a wedding in Baltimore. When we got to Dulles Airport, we discovered my husband had forgotten his passport. We had to wait until our son-in-law flew back to SFO, went to our house, found the passport, and fedexed it. There went the three Madrid days. Recently, my neighbor had a loss with the United basic economy fare. She bought a ticket to go on a trip to be taken after a visit from her sister. Seems they got their lines crossed, and the sister bought a ticket to come at the time she’d be away. United doesn’t even allow rescheduling in that fare class. My point is that neither of these reasons could possibly be anticipated. Nor, could either of us “just go.” $600 for insurance does seem high to me. The suggestion to check what’s covered by your cc is a good one. Then, I would be looking at squaremouth or insuremytrip.

Thank you all for your replies.

The premium is high but the difference in fares is higher. Then again, insurance only pays under certain conditions, whereas the refundable fares are refunded on a whim. Looks like there's no saving the risk premium anywhere - the system has it all figured out.

I usually decline insurance unless it's a catastrophic risk. While this is a big expense for us I may just decide to take the risk myself.

I love vacation planning. (Seriously, I totally do.)

That's my attitude. Nonrefundable fares and no insurance. And if something disastrous or totally unforeseen causes a disruption, that's life. It's never happened in 30+ years of travel, so if it does in the future, I'm still probably way ahead of the game after saving on trip insurance for all those years.

....$600 for travel insurance sounds like a rip off..... . First, without knowing the amount insurance no way of knowing if $600 is cheaper, so-so, or expensive. Remember, you only insure your potential loses. And often the insurance company via the fine print will have a different idea of what is a lose compared to what you think is a lose. Since travel insurance premium tend to run around 5 to maybe 10% depending on what is covered, your $600 should suggest an insurance amount of about $12,000 to perhaps $20,000. Could be reasonable depending on your trip.

Adding to Frank's comment, $600 may be reasonable for older policy holders if it covers both cancellation and medical coverage and pre-existing conditions. An old retired policy holder would be less likely to cancel because of job loss but more likely to cancel because of personal health or spouse's health.

As noted above, some credit cards (I have Chase Sapphire Reserve) include some trip cancelation / interruption insurance for no additional cost. Booking many months ahead I usually get cancellable hotel reservations (about €5 per night additional) -- closer to the trip date, if nonrefundable is still available at a better price I may book that and cancel the original reservation.

One more point to add. Having used the two sites I recommended above, I am always astounded at the spread of prices for the same coverage and from similarly rated companies, like $300/2 of us up to $1000/ 2 of us. It pays to compare, and either of the two sites will allow you to do that.

If it covers medical then your destination and your age REALLY effect the cost, I have paid in that range for each of my last two trips but they covered two people and about 18 days each plus medical and evacuation and repatriation and one of us was in his 80s.

So without more info would be needed to see if it is a good deal. But for a savings of $2400 on tickets alone I would sure go with separate insurance

Although you said "separate insurance", there is some evidence you may mean the airline's insurance they offer just before you pay the bill. But the key fact is that EVERY insurance policy has different rules. You cannot assume that one policy or another covers YOUR needs until you skim 20 to 30 pages of rules and conditions. That's one reason I usually buy the same type of insurance.

Example of rules: My mother is 93. I once called my regular insurer, Travelex, to ask about "pre-exisiting conditions" that would fail to be covered in the event of cancellations, if you don't buy the insurance soon enough. Although the insurance covers medical conditions that require a doctor's care (not as in in some other products, hospitalization!) I was concerned about my mother's frail state. Travelex told me, to my surprise, that "pre-existing conditions" in THEIR policy only refers to the TRAVELERS. It doesn't matter how long my mother has had this or that illness!

You can't know if you don't read the policy.

In a similar situation with my mother. I had to cancel a trip to Italy in May. I was in Boston within 5 hours of departing a TAP flight to Rome when I got a call that my stepdad had died. ( He was a mean man but that's another story!) So obviously cancelled my trip to go and take care of my 87 year old mom in her transition. My strategy was to pay for a executive class fully refundable fare on TAP (Portuguese Airlines) . TAP allows you to to purchase a one way fare which is exactly half of a round trip fare unlike other airlines. My return was on United Airlines using my miles. I talked to United re the death and they waived the fee to put my miles back in my account. I received the full fare from TAP refund back to my credit card in 2 weeks and my United airlines miles were back in 24 hours with no charge. I'm using the same strategy for a trip to Italy in May 2020. I have bought insurance in the past but there were so many exclusions I decided it wasn't worth it. Not directly related to this thread but the only kind of travel insurance I have a is a medical travel policy which also provides for emergency air transport among other personal medical issues.

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.

Is Travel Insurance Necessary?

Travel insurance makes sense if you want to protect the money you’ve paid for a vacation. But it is another expense, and you’ve already laid out a lot of cash.

Several Types of Travel Insurance

1) canceled trips.

• sickness, injury, family member, or traveling companion
• hurricane damages destination
• laid off from work or required to work
• terrorist incident in destination city
• travel supplier bankruptcy
• called for jury duty

2) Medical Emergencies Abroad

Travel insurance covers accidents and emergency medical and dental care.

3) Delayed Flights and Lost Bags

4) additional coverages.

• life insurance
• rental car collision
• identity theft
• hazardous sports

Does Medicare Cover Travel Abroad?

• District of Columbia
• Puerto Rico
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• American Samoa
• Northern Mariana Islands

If you’re traveling through Canada without reasonable delay by the most direct route between Alaska and another state and an emergency occurs, and the Canadian hospital is closer than the nearest one in the United States, Medicare should cover it.

How Much Is Typical Travel Insurance?

• travel destination
• coverage levels
• trip payments

Age is another factor. Younger travelers are less likely to file a sickness-related claim than older travelers because they don’t have pre-existing conditions.

The number of people under a travel insurance policy will affect the cost. But it’s less expensive than buying individual plans. For example, adding one person to an existing plan increased the premium cost by 8.3 percent. With some plans, children are free.

Some destinations are more expensive if they’re in a remote area. That’s because of the potential for medical emergencies.

Where to Buy Travel Insurance

• SquareMouth
• General Global Assistance

Travel Insurance Doesn’t Cover Everything

Travel insurance also won’t cover a canceled trip for reasons within your control. If you oversleep and miss your flight, you’re on your own.

And if you leave valuables in your checked luggage, they probably won’t cover it.

But each carrier is different, so check your policy.

The most important reason to purchase travel insurance is medical if you’re going abroad. If you need to be treated or repatriated, that could bankrupt you without insurance.

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Is Travel Insurance Worth It in April 2024?

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Table of Contents

What does travel insurance cover?

What does travel insurance not cover, when is travel insurance not necessary, when is trip insurance worth it, where to buy travel insurance, how much does travel insurance cost, should you rely on credit card travel insurance instead, so, is travel insurance worth it.

Travel can be expensive. Insurance protects your nonrefundable vacation investment if the unexpected occurs. But is travel insurance worth it?

The answer will depend on whether your trip is refundable, where you're going, whether you'll have health coverage at your destination and how much coverage you already get from your credit card. Here are some key topics to understand when deciding if travel insurance is right for you.

Travel insurance (or trip insurance) covers a number of travel-related risks, from flight cancellations to lost bags to medical emergencies.

Accidental death insurance .

Baggage delay and lost luggage insurance .

Cancel for Any Reason insurance .

Emergency evacuation insurance .

Medical insurance .

Rental car insurance .

Trip cancellation insurance .

Trip interruption insurance .

The dollar amount of your coverage depends on the policy you bought and where and when you bought it. Most travel insurance providers offer several different policies to choose from, with higher or lower levels of coverage and higher or lower prices to match.

» Learn more: What to know before buying travel insurance

You can buy policies that cover a single trip, multiple trips or a full year. You can buy an individual policy or one that covers your entire family. There are many companies that offer policies, with Allianz and Travel Guard among the best-known. Here is a chart showing the benefits and coverage levels available on some Allianz policies.

NerdWallet recently analyzed various travel insurance policies to help you choose the plan that best aligns with your travel goals. Check out our results here: Best Travel Insurance Companies Right Now .

» Learn more: Does travel insurance cover medical expenses?

Incidents not covered by your travel insurance vary by policy and provider.

Pre-existing medical conditions are often excluded from coverage, meaning your benefits don't apply to claims related to that condition. Some policies cover pre-existing medical conditions if you meet certain criteria, for example if you purchased the policy within 14 days of paying for your trip and if you were well enough to travel when you booked your trip.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards might surprise you

Plan on mountain-climbing or engaging in other dangerous activities on your trip? Many policies won't cover you if something goes wrong unless you buy a policy that specifically includes adventure sports. World Nomads travel insurance , for example, offers the Explorer plan, which includes coverage for cave diving, cliff jumping, heli-skiing and many other activities that are considered risky.

Other incidents excluded from a trip insurance policy may involve war, acts of terrorism and the use of alcohol, which can cause your injuries to be designated as "self-inflicted," or the use of drugs, which may be illegal.

If you want full flexibility to cancel your trip you'll need to find a policy that allows you to purchase a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) add-on. This additional benefit does exactly what the name implies and allows you to cancel your trip for any reason. Typically, you'll get around 75% of your prepaid nonrefundable trip expenses back, although exact timing and percentages vary by policy.

» Learn more: Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) travel insurance explained

Travel insurance primarily covers two aspects of your trip — your nonrefundable reservations and your medical expenses while traveling.

If all of your reservations can be canceled without penalty, then trip cancellation or trip interruption coverage isn't necessary. But even if your trip isn't 100% refundable, insurance may not be necessary. For example, a cheap flight and hotel stay may not be worth covering, though you may still want to purchase travel insurance for medical situations.

Medical coverage typically is not necessary if you have a U.S.-based health insurance policy and you're traveling within the U.S. In those cases, you probably already have adequate coverage for illness or injury.

There are a few reasons that travel insurance can be worthwhile: to protect your nonrefundable trip costs, your luggage or your health.

When should you get trip cancellation and/or trip interruption insurance?

If you would lose the money you paid for your flights, accommodations, rental car, or activities if you had to cancel or go home early, travel insurance that specifically includes trip cancellation and trip interruption is probably a good idea. If your trip is canceled or interrupted for a covered reason, this protection will cover your reservations.

For example, if you're planning to travel to a destination that could have weather-related issues, like hurricanes in the Caribbean, travel insurance may protect your noncancelable reservations. Some policies also provide emergency evacuation to escape dangerous situations. However, if you try to purchase travel insurance after the storm poses a risk, the insurance probably will not protect you.

When should you get baggage delay and/or lost luggage coverage?

Imagine if you go on a one week trip and your checked baggage is lost or delayed. While you’re waiting to get your luggage, baggage delay insurance will reimburse you for any essentials (i.e. toiletries, medicine, socks, clothing, etc.) that you may need to purchase because you don’t have your own things.

But what if the worst case scenario happens and your bag is just lost or stolen? Lost luggage insurance will reimburse you for your misplaced bag, up to a specified dollar amount.

If you’re only traveling with a carry-on, you don’t need these two types of coverage.

When should you purchase travel medical insurance?

U.S.-based health insurance policies generally offer coverage anywhere within the U.S. But if you get sick or hurt when you travel internationally, some policies like Medicare may not cover you.

Even if your health insurance covers you outside the country, doctors at your destination may not accept it. Without travel insurance, you could be stuck paying for these bills out of pocket, then seeking reimbursement from your healthcare provider.

When should you purchase CFAR?

Most travel insurance policies won’t help you get your expenses if you cancel for a “non-covered” reason, like when your plans change or you simply don’t want to go anymore. That’s when it might be good to purchase CFAR.

If you’ve booked a trip but think that you may need to cancel for a reason that’s not covered by trip cancellation, the CFAR add-on will allow you to get up to 50-75% of your nonrefundable trip costs back as long as you cancel at least 2 - 3 days before the trip starts. The add-on must also be purchased within a specific time of the initial trip deposit (usually 14 - 21 days).

What can be an example of a cancellation that’s reimbursable under CFAR? Let’s say you book a trip with your significant other but you break up a week before the trip and don’t want to go alone. Or you book a trip really far in advance but when the date nears, you realize that you don’t want to go anymore. CFAR will be helpful for you in these instances.

When should you purchase travel insurance even though you already have a credit card that provides it?

If you already have some travel insurance protections (e.g., trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage delay) from your credit card, but you feel that the limits are insufficient, consider purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance plan or a standalone travel medical insurance policy to protect you in case of medical emergencies on your trip.

» Learn more: The majority of Americans plan to travel this year, according to recent NerdWallet study

If you booked your trip through a travel agent, you can likely purchase coverage through them. That includes online travel booking engines like Expedia. If you're taking a cruise , you're usually offered the chance to purchase coverage during the booking process. Similarly, airlines may offer you certain types of coverage when you book a flight through their website. If you have an award booking , you have travel insurance options too.

Another option: Purchase travel insurance directly through the website of a travel insurance company, like Allianz , AXA or Travel Guard .

» Learn more: Airline travel insurance versus independent travel insurance: Which is right for you?

The cost of travel insurance is based on the specifics of your trip. The best way to get a price is to request a quote through the websites of travel insurance providers. Or you can compare multiple insurers in one place with a consolidator like InsureMyTrip.com or SquareMouth .

Many travel credit cards provide certain types of coverage in case your flight is delayed or canceled, your rental car is damaged, or your luggage is lost or delayed.

Here are a few credit cards offering travel protections that could serve as an alternative to travel insurance. But even with these cards, the benefits have a lot of fine print.

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

• Travel accident: Up to $500,000.

• Rental car insurance: Up to $75,000.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Travel accident: Up to $1 million.

• Rental car insurance: Up to the actual cash value of the car.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

Terms apply.

These are attractive benefits, but the coverage may not be as broad as you would get buying insurance. For example, AmEx cards only cover round-trip travel, so if you don’t have a return flight booked yet, you might want to consider additional coverage.

Secondly, only the Chase Sapphire Reserve® provides emergency medical and dental coverage. The other cards don’t.

Plus, these cards can come with steep annual fees that may be more than you would pay for a travel insurance policy. So don't sign up for a card just to cover one trip unless you've compared costs.

» Learn more: The best credit cards for travel insurance benefits

If you've paid a considerable sum for a nonrefundable vacation, travel insurance is likely a good idea. International travelers who need coverage in case they get sick or injured should also consider buying a policy. If troubles arise, you'll be glad that you're protected.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

• Travel Insurance

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Travel Insurance For Singapore: The Complete Guide

Updated: Apr 4, 2024, 12:29pm

Table of Contents

Featured Partners

Singapore Travel Insurance

What does travel insurance for singapore cover, can i tailor my travel insurance for singapore, what does travel insurance for singapore exclude, how much does travel insurance for singapore cost, how can i compare travel insurance for singapore, frequently asked questions (faqs).

Singapore has long been a holiday favourite for Australians, either as a stop-over city on the way to Europe or the Middle East or as base for exploring Asia. According to the latest figures from data portal, Statista, 566,000 Australians visited the country in 2022.

If you’re also planning to visit, travel insurance for Singapore can safeguard your trip against a number of potential mishaps, such as falling ill while away, losing your luggage and belongings or even needing to cancel the trip before it’s even begun. Singapore is a safe country, but the cost of medical care is high.  Find out more about how travel insurance for Singapore works below.

Fast Cover Travel Insurance

On Fast Cover’s Secure Website

Cancellations

Unlimited, (Trip Disruption $50,000)

Rental Vehicle Excess

Key Features

25-Day Cooling Off Period, Australian Based Call Centre, 4.6 Star Product Review Rating

Cover-More Travel Insurance

On Cover-more’s secure website

Medical cover

Unlimited, with a $2000 limit to dental

Yes, amount chosen by customer

Southern Cross Travel Insurance (Comprehensive)

Option of Cruise Cover

Unlimited medical

Yes (some sub limits apply)

There are three main types of travel insurance policy for Singapore. These are:

• Single trip: for a one-off trip in the space of 12 months to Singapore
• Annual multi-trip : for more than one trip in the space of 12 months to Singapore or various destinations. This type of cover can work out more cost-effective than buying multiple single trip policies but not always so it’s best to compare both types of cover.
• Long-stay/backpacker : for an extended stay in Singapore, of typically 60 or 90 days, or 12 or 18 months. Cover for 24 months may be available, from certain providers.

When applying for travel insurance online, you’ll first be asked to enter your holiday destination. Depending on the insurer, you’ll need to click on Singapore, Asia or Worldwide travel excluding the US and nearby destinations such as Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada and Greenland. The latter option excludes a part of the world where medical costs are the highest, which in turn, bumps up the cost of cover. If you’re also planning to travel to the US, for example, there are separate worldwide policies that include it as a destination.

Insurers usually offer at least two or more types of travel insurance policy from basic or comprehensive cover and anything in between. Comprehensive policies offer the highest cover levels and widest range of benefits.

A key component of all travel insurance policies is emergency medical cover. You’ll find a comprehensive policy for Singapore will often offer an unlimited amount.

The standard of medical facilities and care in Singapore is similar to, or higher than in Australia, and the cost often much higher, so medical cover can prove a vital resource should you fall ill, or get injured, while away.

Note that in the case of an emergency, you’ll likely need to pay up-front first, and then reclaim the costs from your insurer, or confirm payment from your insurer with a hospital before it will provide treatment.

As standard, travel insurance for Singapore can also cover repatriation and emergency rescue, in severe medical cases, the loss or theft of your baggage and belongings and trip cancellation if you can no longer travel for reasons such as falling ill, suffering a bereavement or losing your job.

They will also likely include an array of other forms of protection, providing the most at comprehensive level. This includes cover for lost or stolen money, passports and documentation, missed departures, online fraud, and travel delay. The types of cover on offer, and cover limits, will vary between providers. You can find exactly what a policy includes in its product disclosure statement (PDS), which is usually found on an insurer’s website.

There are a number of ways you can ensure your policy fits your needs. Many insurers offer optional add-ons that you can purchase if you need specialised cover. These include insurance for gadgets (such as a smartphone or laptop), a cruise and playing golf.

If you’re thinking of participating in more high-octane activities, check your policy’s PDS. Many cover around 100 or so sports automatically. Cover for what an insurer classes as high-risk activities, such as skydiving, bungee jumping, outdoor rock climbing, and activities requiring a set of wheels, such as quad biking, may require purchasing an additional ‘sports pack’ for your policy.

While reading through a policy’s PDS, it’s crucial to also take note of any limitations of cover. These can differ between policies, but generally you can expect most insures to refuse claims relating to a pre-existing condition. This is a medical condition you had before taking out the policy. The insurer may not cover such conditions, or may refuse your claim if you did not declare your condition on applying for the policy.

An insurer is also unlikely to accept claims for an injury caused by taking part in a sport or activity where you did not wear the appropriate safety gear, such as a helmet, knee pads or a harness. Claims resulting from disorderly behaviour or being under the influence of drink or drugs will also likely be rejected.

It’s best to regularly check government advice for your destination, which it publishes on its Smartraveller website. This includes warnings about natural disasters, terrorism threats and pandemics. Visiting Singapore, or a part of the country, if the government puts it on its “do not travel” list, could invalidate your policy.

The amount you’ll need to pay for your travel insurance policy will depend on a range of factors. An insurer will consider your holiday destination, associated costs when travelling there and the length of time you’ll be travelling.

The price of a policy can rise for mature travellers and those with pre-existing conditions, as insurers view these travellers as more likely to claim on their policy.

To provide an idea of how much travel insurance for Singapore can cost, we ran quotes on the sites of the insurers we’ve rated the top five for travel insurance.

We used the profile of a family of four, aged 42, 40, 14 and 12, spending 13 to 26 May in the country, and assumed they have no pre-existing conditions, (although these providers do offer cover for pre-existing conditions should you need it).

We found basic cover ranged from around $106 to $202, while comprehensive cover started at around $241, with the most expensive policy costing just under $304.

Before choosing a policy, it’s important to shop around. An easy way to do this is to run quotes on the websites of various insurers and compare factors such as the type of cover a policy includes and cover levels against price.

To help you with your search, we’ve conducted some research and found our pick of the best comprehensive travel insurance policies .

Is travel insurance for Singapore worth it?

While travel insurance for Singapore isn’t mandatory, it can be considered a travel essential if you have no other means of covering emergency costs while away.

Emergency medical fees can easily stack up to thousands of dollars alone, and without travel insurance in place, you would have to cover them out of pocket. Travel insurance also can cover a number of eventualities that we often fail to consider, such as an airline, transport company, or accommodation provider going bust.

What is ‘excess’ in insurance?

An excess is a set amount you’ll be expected to pay on each approved claim. It’s usually levied per person on the policy, per event, per claim, but you can check the PDS for the specifics concerning your insurer. You usually can pick from a range of excess amounts, from $50 to $250 on average, when taking out a policy.

The more you choose to pay in excess, the lower your policy premium—the cost of your policy—typically will be, while paying less in excess will raise the cost. An excess is usually deducted from a claim amount, so you won’t need to pay for it out of pocket. However, it’s still crucial that you make sure it’s affordable.

Can I buy a policy while I’m in Singapore?

Some providers won’t cover a holiday if it’s already started. Others may cover you, but apply a waiting period of around 72 hours before you can claim.

The best time to take out travel insurance is as soon as you’ve booked your holiday, as you’ll be immediately covered for trip cancellation. Insurers are highly unlikely to consider claims resulting from something that happened before you took out the policy.

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• Travel Insurance For Japan
• Travel Insurance For Europe
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• Fast Cover Travel Insurance Review
• Travel Insurance Saver Review
• Allianz Comprehensive Travel Insurance Review
• 1Cover Comprehensive Travel Insurance Review
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I have been writing for newspapers, magazines and online publications for over 10 years. My passion is providing, in a way that is easily accessible and digestible to all, the knowledge needed for readers to not only manage their finances, but financially flourish.