travel insurance cancel for any reason

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6 Best Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance Options

Allianz Travel Insurance »

Travelex Insurance Services »

Seven Corners »

AXA Assistance USA »

IMG Travel Insurance »

Squaremouth »

Why Trust Us

U.S. News evaluates ratings, data and scores of more than 50 travel insurance companies from comparison websites like TravelInsurance.com, Squaremouth and InsureMyTrip, plus renowned credit rating agency AM Best, in addition to reviews and recommendations from top travel industry sources and consumers to determine the Best Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance Options.

Table of Contents

• Rating Details

Allianz Travel Insurance

Travelex insurance services.

Even the best travel insurance policies don't cover every "what if." "If you buy travel insurance, there are covered reasons for cancellation or interruption. If your situation doesn't fit those covered reasons, there's no coverage," explains Angela Borden, product strategist with Seven Corners .

That's why cancel for any reason coverage, or CFAR, can be a valuable add-on. With this type of policy, you can cancel your trip for any reason at all and still get a percentage of your prepaid travel expenses back (typically around 50% to 80% of what you’ve already paid; percentages vary by provider).

Read on to see the best cancel for any reason travel insurance options and the main policy details you should know about, as well as answers to common questions around this type of coverage.

Seven Corners

Axa assistance usa, img travel insurance, squaremouth, best cfar insurance options in detail.

Reimburses up to 80% of prepaid travel arrangements

Allows you to cancel trip as late as day of departure

"Cancel Anytime" coverage may not be available in every state

Can cancel trip up to 48 hours before departure

Emergency medical coverage is only $50,000

CFAR add-on offers up to 75% reimbursement for prepaid travel costs

CFAR coverage can be purchased up to 20 days after initial trip payment

Benefit not available in all states

Get up to 75% of prepaid travel expenses back when you cancel for any reason

10-day money back guarantee if dissatisfied (prior to your trip)

Must purchase CFAR coverage within 14 days of initial trip deposit

Get back up to 75% of the full cost of nonrefundable travel expenses

CFAR coverage can be purchased within up to 20 days of the initial trip deposit

CFAR coverage does not apply if the travel supplier goes out of business or refuses to provide services

Compare multiple plans with CFAR coverage in one place

Comparison tool makes it easy to price shop

CFAR coverage reimbursements and fine print vary by company

Frequently Asked Questions

Cancel for any reason insurance (also called CFAR coverage) is a type of trip cancellation insurance that lets you cancel your trip for a reason not listed as a covered reason in your plan. For example, you may decide not to travel due to an illness in your extended family or a specific financial issue you're dealing with. In either case, this time-sensitive coverage can help you get reimbursement for prepaid trip payments you have made toward airfare, hotel stays, tours and more.

CFAR coverage typically needs to be purchased within a sensitive period of time after making a trip deposit (usually ranging from 14 to 20 days after). Travelers only get back between 50% and 80% of prepaid travel expenses, depending on your policy, so this coverage won't lead to a full refund.

If you're worried how COVID-19 might affect your travel plans, you can purchase travel insurance that includes COVID-19 coverage . That said, CFAR protection can also be a good investment, particularly if you want the option to cancel based on last-minute disinclination to travel due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is an award-winning content creator who has been writing about travel insurance and travel for more than a decade. She has researched travel insurance options for her own vacations and family trips to more than 50 countries around the world, and she has experience navigating the claims and reimbursement process. In fact, she has successfully filed several travel insurance claims for trip delays and trip cancellations over the years. Johnson also works alongside her husband, Greg – who has been licensed to sell travel insurance in 50 states – in their family media business.

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Travel Insurance

Best ‘cancel for any reason’ travel insurance plans of 2024

Amy Fontinelle

Heidi Gollub

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

Kara McGinley

Updated 4:18 a.m. UTC April 1, 2024

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Seven Corners and WorldTrips offer the best “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) travel insurance, according to our analysis of cost and coverage options. 

Top-rated “cancel for any reason” travel insurance plans of 2024

• Seven Corners .
• WorldTrips .
• John Hancock Ins Agency .
• Travel Insured .
• USI Affinity .

Why trust our travel insurance experts

Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of insurance products and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.

• 735 coverage details evaluated
• 105 rates reviewed
• 5 levels of fact-checking

Seven Corners

Top-scoring plan

Average cost for plan with cfar, cfar coverage, what you should know.

The Seven Corners Trip Protection Basic plan with CFAR coverage has the lowest average cost of our top-scoring plans.

Pros and cons

• Least expensive of the top-scoring plans with CFAR coverage.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade reimburses up to 75% of prepaid expenses.
• “Interruption for any reason” (IFAR) upgrade reimburses 75% of trip cost, starting 48 hours after departure.
• No pre-existing health condition coverage.
• Emergency medical benefit is only $100,000 secondary coverage.
• Emergency medical evacuation coverage is only $250,000.

WorldTrips Atlas Journey Preferred travel insurance offers the second-lowest average cost of all the CFAR plans we evaluated. You can choose CFAR coverage of 50% or 75% of your prepaid trip expenses, which will affect your price.

• Excellent $1 million per person in medical evacuation coverage.
• Very good benefits for travel delays and missed connections
• Choice of 50% or 75% back for cancellation due to a non-covered reason.
• Emergency medical benefit is only $100,000 secondary coverage (optional upgrade to primary coverage).
• No “interruption for any reason” coverage option (choose the Premier plan for this upgrade).

Travel Guard Preferred from AIG allows you to customize your policy with a host of optional upgrades. These include “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage, rental vehicle damage coverage and bundles that offer additional benefits for adventure sports, travel inconvenience, quarantine, pets, security and weddings. There’s also a medical bundle that increases the travel medical benefit to $100,000 and emergency evacuation to $1 million.

• Bundle upgrades allow you to customize your travel insurance policy.
• Emergency medical and evacuation limits can be doubled with optional upgrades.
• CFAR upgrade only reimburses up to 50% of trip cost.
• Base travel insurance policy has relatively low medical limits.
• $300 baggage delay benefit requires a 12-hour delay.

Go Ready Pandemic Plus by Aegis has low emergency medical coverage of $50,000 but good medical evacuation coverage of $500,000. “Cancel for any reason” coverage of 75% is available as an upgrade.

• CFAR coverage of 75% available.
• Includes a benefit of $200 for airline ticket change fee.
• Low emergency medical limit of $50,000, with a $50 deductible.
• Low missed connection benefit of $250 per person.
• No “interruption for any reason” upgrade available.

John Hancock Insurance Agency

John Hancock Insurance Agency’s silver plan has solid coverage for baggage and personal item loss, baggage delay and travel delay.

• “Cancel for any reason” coverage upgrade of 75% available.
• Good extension of coverage that includes medical quarantine.
• High $1,000 specific items limit for personal item loss.
• No option to purchase “interruption for any reason” coverage.
• No non-medical evacuation coverage.

For the amount of coverage you get, Tin Leg’s Gold plan is competitively priced. It includes $500,000 in emergency medical benefits and another $500,000 in medical evacuation coverage.

• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade of 75% available.
• Excellent $500,000 per person in primary emergency medical coverage.
• Very good emergency medical coverage of $500,000 per person.
• Eligible for pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver if conditions are met.
• Hurricane and weather coverage kicks in only after a 48-hour delay.

Travel Insured

Travel Insured Worldwide Trip Protector travel insurance offers $1 million in emergency evacuation coverage per person and $150,000 in non-medical evacuation per person. It also has primary coverage for travel medical insurance benefits. If you’re looking for the best travel insurance for international travel, consider the Worldwide Trip Protector plan.

• Best-in-class 75% “cancel for any reason” coverage.
• Optional 75% “interruption for any reason” coverage.
• Great coverage for both medical and non-medical evacuation.
• Emergency medical coverage of $100,000 could be better, but it is primary coverage.
• Optional “interruption for any reason” coverage takes 72 hours to kick in.
• Lost baggage and personal items coverage of $1,000 isn’t the best.

If you’re traveling with children age 17 or younger, you’ll appreciate not having to pay extra for their coverage when you buy a Travel Select plan from Travelex Insurance Services. You can add CFAR coverage to your plan for added financial protection.

• 75% coverage of prepaid expenses if you add CFAR coverage.
• Free coverage for children 17 and under on the same policy.
• Robust travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person ($250 per day) after five hours.
• Hurricane and weather coverage after a common carrier delay of any amount of time.
• Low emergency medical coverage of $50,000 per person.
• Non-medical evacuation is not included.
• Low baggage delay coverage of $200 requires a 12-hour delay.

USI Affinity

USI Affinity Travel Select travel insurance is the most expensive of our top-rated CFAR plans. It comes with solid emergency medical benefits of $250,000 per person and medical evacuation coverage up to $500,000 per person.

• 75% CFAR coverage available as an upgrade.
• Good emergency medical limit of $250,000 per person, primary coverage.
• Solid emergency evacuation benefit of $500,000 per person.
• Most expensive of top-rated CFAR plans.
• Missed connection benefit of $750 per person only for tours and cruises.
• Employment layoff benefit requires that you worked at the company for 3 years.

Compare the best “cancel for any reason” travel insurance plans

Via TravelInsurance.com’s website

Methodology

Our insurance experts analyzed cost and coverage data to determine the best travel insurance plans with “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage. For this rating, we only scored travel insurance plans that offer a CFAR upgrade.

The benefits we scored out of a possible 100 points include:

Cost: 80 points. We scored the average cost of each CFAR travel insurance policy for a variety of international trips and traveler profiles.

CFAR reimbursement level of trip cost: 20 points. Policies providing 75% reimbursement were awarded 20 points. Travel insurance plans offering CFAR coverage of 50% got 10 points.

What is "cancel for any reason" (CFAR) insurance?

“Cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage picks up where basic trip cancellation benefits included with travel insurance leave off. 

It typically reimburses you for up to 75% of your nonrefundable travel costs when you decide to cancel your trip for a reason not listed in your policy. 

“While travel insurance will cover a wide array of travel situations, it won’t cover everything,” said Stan Sandberg, cofounder of TravelInsurance.com. 

“For trip cancellation coverage, travel insurance plans will only cover you for very specific covered reasons listed in a plan’s description of coverage. If an event is not listed as a covered reason, it won’t be covered unless the consumer opts for a ‘cancel for any reason’ policy,” Sandberg added.  

How does "cancel for any reason" coverage work?

“‘Cancel for any reason’ is typically sold as an upgrade to a regular travel insurance plan,” Sandberg said. 

Depending on the insurance company, you’ll typically need to buy CFAR travel insurance within one to three weeks of making your first trip payment. You’re also usually required to insure the full value of your nonrefundable trip expenses. 

How much does CFAR coverage typically cost?

Travel insurance with “cancel for any reason” coverage costs an average of $745 per trip, according to our analysis of travel insurance costs for plans with a CFAR upgrade. Our top-scoring CFAR travel insurance plans all have below-average rates.

CFAR coverage can increase the cost of your base travel insurance plan anywhere from 40% to 100%, depending on the company and the policy.

Average cost for travel insurance policies with CFAR

Average cost is based on travel insurance quotes for seven international trips taken by travelers of various ages. Plans have different levels of benefits, which can account for price differences.

Do you need “cancel for any reason” insurance?

If you want the flexibility to be able to cancel your trip for a reason the travel insurance plan doesn’t cover, you may want to spend the extra money to add CFAR coverage to your policy.

What to know about CFAR insurance

With “cancel for any reason” travel insurance, you typically need to cancel your trip at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure time. 

“To take advantage of the CFAR benefit, travelers must cancel their trip in its entirety two to three days before their departure to receive reimbursement,” said James Clark, a spokesperson for Squaremouth, the company behind Tin Leg travel insurance.

In other words, if you get nervous about your trip and want to cancel the morning your plane departs, it’s too late to use your CFAR coverage.

What is “interruption for any reason” (IFAR) coverage?

Similar to CFAR travel insurance, an IFAR upgrade can reimburse up to 75% of your nonrefundable trip costs if you change your itinerary after departing for a reason your base policy doesn’t cover. 

Also similar to CFAR coverage, IFAR coverage is optional and costs extra. Not all travel insurance companies offer it.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

If you get sick with COVID-19 before or during your trip, many travel insurance plans will cover losses due to your illness, such as having to cancel or reschedule your trip, provided you are diagnosed by a doctor or a third-party testing service. 

However, even with a comprehensive travel insurance policy, the base plan will not cover things like deciding you don’t want to travel because you’re worried about catching COVID. Purchasing optional CFAR coverage would allow you to cancel your trip for these reasons.

More: Best COVID travel insurance  

You’re unlikely to get “cancel for any reason” coverage through your credit card. If you charge a covered trip to your credit card , you may get some travel insurance benefits. 

For example, some credit cards provide trip cancellation and interruption coverage, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, travel, and emergency assistance services, and trip delay reimbursement.

More : Best travel rewards credit cards

No, CFAR travel insurance will not give you a full refund if you cancel your trip. Most policies that offer an optional CFAR upgrade will refund 50% or 75% of your covered trip expenses, as long as you cancel within the required timeframe. You typically need to cancel at least 48 hours before you are scheduled to travel in order to file a CFAR claim.

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.

Amy Fontinelle has more than 15 years of experience helping people make informed decisions about their money, whether they’re refinancing a mortgage, buying insurance or choosing a credit card. As a freelance writer trained in journalism and specializing in personal finance, Amy digs into the details to explain the products and strategies that can help (or hurt) people seeking greater financial security and wealth. Her work has been published by Forbes Advisor, Capital One, MassMutual, Investopedia and many other outlets.

Heidi Gollub is the USA TODAY Blueprint managing editor of insurance. She was previously lead editor of insurance at Forbes Advisor and led the insurance team at U.S. News & World Report as assistant managing editor of 360 Reviews. Heidi has an MBA from Emporia State University and is a licensed property and casualty insurance expert.

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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• Personal Finance

Best Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance of 2024

See which insurers are the best for affordability, coverage, and more

The best cancel for any reason (CFAR) travel insurance provider is USI Affinity , which offers seven cancel for any reason plans and the cheapest premiums of all the companies we researched. To help you choose the best cancel for any reason travel insurance, we evaluated 18 companies based on 28 criteria. Some of the factors we looked at include the maximum CFAR reimbursement rates (20% of the score), premiums (17.5%), number of policy types available (7.5%), and trip cancellation coverage amounts (5%).

If you’re a frequent traveler, having travel insurance can be valuable. But if you need to cancel a trip, your policy will only refund your prepaid expenses due to certain circumstances. Adding cancel for any reason travel insurance to your policy covers many reasons for canceling that normally are not covered, like last-minute work obligations or safety concerns.

• Best Overall: USI Affinity
• Best Reimbursement Rate: Allianz Travel Insurance
• Most Affordable Premiums for Upgraded Plans: Tin Leg
• Best for Trip Interruption Reimbursement: HTH
• Best for Travel Delay Coverage: Trawick International

All premiums mentioned are based on a $3,500, 10-day trip from Florida to Costa Rica for two same-aged travelers. We gathered quotes for four different ages: 28, 40, 55, and 70.

• Our Top Picks
• USI Affinity

Allianz Travel Insurance

• Trawick International
• See More (2)
• The Bottom Line

Frequently Asked Questions

Methodology, best overall : usi affinity.

With seven cancel for any reason plans available and the cheapest CFAR plan premiums, USI Affinity is our top choice for travelers.

Lowest premiums for CFAR policies

Offers seven CFAR policy options

No pet medical coverage

Kids aren’t covered for free

USI Affinity offered the most CFAR policy options—seven—out of the 18 cancel for any reason travel insurance companies we reviewed.

Additionally, USI Affinity offered the lowest CFAR premium of any company we researched: $121. The company’s highest plan premium was $200, which is also among the lowest rates we found during our research.

CFAR plans from USI Affinity include 75% reimbursement, with a maximum trip cancellation reimbursement of $150,000 for covered events and up to $250,000 in medical coverage per person, per trip. 

• Lowest CFAR premium: $121
• Highest CFAR premium: $200

Best Reimbursement Rate : Allianz Travel Insurance

Cancel for any reason travel insurance from Allianz will provide up to 80% reimbursement for non-refundable travel costs. 

Maximum reimbursement of 80%

Kids under 17 are covered for free

$200,000 limit for covered cancellations

Low coverage limit for travel delays

Limited coverage for medical expenses

No missed connections coverage

If you spend a lot of money on trips, a CFAR plan from Allianz can be a good choice.

Allianz offers up to 80% reimbursement for eligible travel expenses if you need to cancel for uncovered reasons, which was the highest rate of any of the insurers we analyzed. Additionally, Allianz’s  $200,000 trip cancellation coverage (for covered cancellations) was among the highest we found during research.

Although Allianz offers the most coverage for trip reimbursement, its CFAR plans have some limitations worth noting. For example, there’s no coverage for missed connections or pet medical expenses.

Allianz will only provide CFAR insurance if you insure the full cost of your trip within 14 days of making your first trip payment.

• Lowest CFAR premium : $261
• Highest CFAR premium : $315

Most Affordable Premiums for Upgraded Plans : Tin Leg

If you want a cancel for any reason travel insurance policy with the best features and the most coverage, Tin Leg is a great choice because it offers the lowest premiums for its upgraded plans. 

Lowest premium for upgraded plans

Up to $500,000 in medical coverage

Doesn’t offer multi-trip coverage

No annual plans

Out of the best CFAR companies on our list, Tin Leg has the lowest premiums for its upgraded CFAR plans. The highest plan premium from Tin Leg is just under $200. 

Another thing we like about Tin Leg is that it has the highest amount of coverage for medical expenses. The maximum amount of medical coverage is $500,000 per person, per trip. There were only six insurers we reviewed that offered that much coverage.

Despite the benefits of Tin Leg, this CFAR insurance provider also has some downsides. The plans don’t include pet medical coverage, and kids aren’t covered for free. 

Berkshire Hathaway offered a slightly lower premium than Tin Leg for its top-tier plan. However, the company’s overall score was below average and higher than just five of the other 17 companies. Therefore, we kept the insurer out of our rankings. 

• Lowest CFAR premium: $145.55
• Highest CFAR premium: $199.50

Best for Trip Interruption Reimbursement : HTH

HTH’s cancel for any reason travel insurance plan reimburses up to 200% of your trip interruption costs, which is the highest reimbursement limit out of the “best” companies we reviewed.

Highest trip interruption reimbursement limit

Plan includes pet medical coverage

Provides up to $500,000 in medical coverage

Only one CFAR plan available

Only reimburses $50,000 for covered cancellations

No multi-trip coverage

HTH only offers one CFAR plan, but it provides excellent coverage, including 200% reimbursement for your trip interruption costs (covered interruptions include 14 scenarios, including sickness and natural disasters). Additionally, the plan includes $500,000 in medical coverage per person, per trip, as well as pet medical expenses coverage. HTH’s CFAR plan provides a maximum reimbursement of 75% for prepaid travel expenses, which is the typical rate.

Thirteen of the 18 companies we analyzed offered a 75% CFAR reimbursement rate.

HTH will only reimburse a maximum of $50,000 in trip cancellation costs for covered events, which is the lowest coverage limit out of the best companies on our list. In addition, it doesn’t offer annual plans, and the one CFAR travel insurance plan available doesn’t cover multiple trips. Additionally, the premium for HTH’s CFAR plan was  $301.82, which was around $31 more than the average for top-tier plans and nearly $80 more than the average for low-tier plans.

• Lowest CFAR premium : $301.82
• Highest CFAR premium : $301.82

Best for Travel Delay Coverage : Trawick International

Trawick International’s cancel for any reason travel insurance plans provide $3,000 in travel delay coverage, which is the highest amount of delay coverage out of the companies on this list.

Highest amount of travel delay coverage

Five CFAR plan options

Affordable premiums

Plans don’t include pet medical coverage

No free coverage for kids

Free-look period is only 10 days

Trawick International offers the most travel delay coverage out of the 18 CFAR travel insurance companies we evaluated. Plans include a maximum of $3,000 in travel delay coverage in case you need to get a hotel or rent a car due to unexpected travel delays.

Trawick International has five CFAR plans, and the premiums are pretty affordable. The lowest plan premium is $143.14, which is one of the cheapest premiums out of the companies we reviewed. You can also get annual plans and plans with multi-trip coverage.

Keep in mind that Trawick’s free look period is only 10 days, which is shorter than the typical 15-day period other insurers offer.

• Lowest CFAR premium: $143.14
• Highest CFAR premium: $302.94

The Bottom Line 

Cancel for any reason travel insurance can be worth the added cost, especially if you travel often or take expensive trips. However, the best CFAR travel insurance company is different for everyone. For instance, if you want the cheapest plan, USI Affinity is a great choice. But if you’re looking for a plan with a high CFAR reimbursement rate, Allianz is the top choice. 

What’s the Difference Between Trip Cancellation and Cancel for Any Reason?

Trip cancellation is a standard part of travel insurance that covers the cost of non-refundable travel if you have to cancel a trip for a specific reason, including illness, injury, or death. Cancel for any reason insurance is something you add to a policy to cover cancellations that don’t qualify for trip cancellation. For example, if you have to cancel a trip at the last second because your fear of flying overwhelms you a couple of days before your flight,  CFAR allows you to cancel, no questions asked. Another key difference is that trip cancellation insurance typically offers a maximum dollar amount your policy pays out, whereas CFAR reimbursements you a percentage of your non-refundable trip costs.

What Is Cancel for Any Reason Coverage?

Cancel for any reason coverage is a type of insurance coverage you can add to a travel insurance policy that will cover you for cancellation reasons that aren’t covered by your travel insurance. CFAR insurance reimburses you a percentage of your non-refundable travel costs, often 50% to 75%.

How Much Does Cancellation Insurance Cost?

Cancel for any reason insurance can cost you anywhere from 10% to 40% of your travel insurance premium. For example, during our research, we found adding CFAR to a Travel Guard policy that cost $169.29 would add an extra $38.08.

Can You Buy Cancel for Any Reason Insurance After 21 Days?

In most cases, travel insurance companies will require you to buy your CFAR insurance within 14 to 21 days of your first payment for the trip.

Narrowing down the best cancel for any reason travel insurance companies means analyzing aspects of travel insurance that are most important to travelers. 

With that in mind, we examined 18 top travel insurance companies across the following 16 categories:

• CFAR reimbursement rate (20% of score) : Companies with higher reimbursement rates for CFAR coverage received the highest scores.
• Premiums (17%) ; We analyzed the highest and lowest premiums offered by a company, weighting the two premiums equally. 
• Policy types available (7.5%) : Having a choice of plans to pick from can ensure you aren’t paying for coverage you don’t need. Companies with more options scored higher.
• Free look period length (5%) : A free-look period is an invaluable part of buying insurance. Companies with longer free-look periods received higher scores. 
• Pre-existing condition coverage (5%) : Companies that offered medical coverage for pre-existing conditions scored higher than those that didn’t. 
• Maximum coverage for emergency transportation (5%) : Evacuation out of a country for medical reasons can be costly, so we scored companies higher if they had higher emergency transportation limits. 
• Maximum baggage coverage (5%) : Companies that offer higher coverage limits for lost and damaged baggage score higher. 
• Maximum medical coverage (5%) : Medical coverage for injuries you sustain while traveling can offset potentially expensive hospital bills. 
• Adventure sports coverage (5%) : Provides coverage if you participate in adventure sports during your trip. 
• Sports and activity coverage (5%) : Because vacations typically include new activities or participation in sports, it can be helpful to have travel insurance that covers injuries you sustain during those activities. 
• Maximum travel delay coverage (5%) : Travel delay coverage can help you cover the cost of lodging and food if you’re stranded due to, for example, a canceled flight or train ride. 
• Maximum trip cancellation coverage (5%) : If you have to cancel a trip for covered reasons (CFAR insurance covers cancellations not otherwise covered by your insurance), a high coverage limit can help offset some or all of your non-refundable trip costs. 
• AM Best rating (2.5%) : A high AM Best rating means a company is very likely to pay out a claim in the near future, so companies with higher ratings scored higher. 
• Maximum trip interruption reimbursement rate (2.5%) : Companies that offered higher reimbursement amounts in the event of a trip interruption earned higher scores in this category. 
• Multi-trip coverage (2.5%) : Avid travelers can benefit from multi-trip coverage, and may be able to save money by booking one insurance package as opposed to a separate policy for each trip. 
• No extra charge for a child: (2.5%) : Companies that offered to include at least one child in their CFAR insurance policies received higher scores than those that didn’t. 

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Allianz. “ How the Cancel Anytime Upgrade Works .”

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SquareMouth. “ Your Guide to Cancel For Any Reason Travel Insurance .”

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The Ultimate Guide to “Cancel for Any Reason” (CFAR) Travel Insurance

Christine Krzyszton

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How CFAR Differs From Standard Trip Cancellation Insurance

What does cfar cover, what is excluded, the platinum card ® from american express, chase sapphire preferred ® card, insure my trip, squaremouth, world nomads, travelinsurance.com, everything else you need to know, final thoughts.

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If you travel even occasionally, you’ve probably purchased or at least considered purchasing travel insurance . And if you’re like most consumers, you’d like to find the lowest price possible at the time of purchase, yet have the best coverage in the event of a claim.

Finding a balance between cost and coverage is the best solution, but it’s not as simple as it sounds. It’s difficult to read through coverage descriptions and interpret insurance jargon.

One way to ensure you’re getting the best travel insurance coverage possible is to consider “Cancel for Any Reason” (CFAR) coverage. While there are certain conditions for purchasing this type of coverage, if it’s available for your trip, it may be worth the extra cost in an environment of uncertainty.

Let’s explore CFAR insurance: what it covers, what it doesn’t cover, and some of the time-sensitive restrictions for purchasing the coverage. We’ll also  show you how to find CFAR insurance and discuss which policies might apply to known COVID-19 virus-related events.

What is Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance?

Cancel for Any Reason insurance is not a stand-alone travel insurance policy but an add-on coverage that expands trip cancellation coverage to include canceling a trip for any reason.

CFAR coverage can be added to a comprehensive travel insurance policy at the time of purchase.

Normally, the trip cancellation insurance you purchase has limited covered reasons, such as illness or legal obligations, for canceling a scheduled trip and receiving any reimbursement . When you purchase CFAR add-on insurance, you can then cancel your trip for any reason — but there are some caveats.

Timing is a critical element in purchasing CFAR coverage as most policies require that you purchase the CFAR coverage within 14-21 days after you make the first initial trip deposit . There may be other requirements for purchasing CFAR insurance such as insuring your trip for 100% of its total cost.

Additionally, only a certain percentage of your trip costs are reimbursed should you have to cancel, typically around 75% but there can be options to purchase less expensive coverage that might cover just 50% of your trip costs.

CFAR insurance is obviously more expensive than just a standard travel insurance policy as it covers more situations and there is an increased likelihood of a claim. You could pay an additional 40% or more to add on the coverage.

Even with the added cost, if you’re booking an expensive trip and there is a chance you may have to cancel, the extra premium can be worth the peace of mind.

You’ll find trip cancellation as a core coverage on most travel insurance policies. The coverage protects you from unforeseen events that may cause you to have to cancel your trip.

Examples of potentially covered events include:

• Jury duty or other legal obligation such as a subpoena for a court appearance
• Weather or airline issues
• Unexpected natural disasters
• Unexpected illness or death of you or a traveling companion
• Unexpected illness or death of a family member

Trip cancellation insurance reimburses for pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs lost due to cancellation of your trip for a covered reason .

CFAR insurance is also trip cancellation insurance, but it offers much broader coverage. The coverage allows you to cancel your trip for any reason, but you will also pay an additional amount for this protection, with restrictions.

Typical requirements for purchasing the coverage include:

• Must purchase 14-21 days within the first deposit you make on your trip
• Must insure the trip for 100% of its value
• Depending on the plan you select, you must cancel with the travel provider more than 48 to 72 hours of departure
• Reimbursement is not 100% of your total trip cost, more commonly just 50%-75%, depending on the plan you purchase

CFAR coverage allows you to cancel your trip for reasons not listed as covered reasons on your travel insurance policy.

Some examples of reasons you might cancel and have coverage under CFAR versus standard trip cancellation insurance include:

• Decided not to go — no specific reason
• Work-related issues
• Unable to secure a visa or passport in time
• Travel fears
• Unrest at your destination

CFAR does not cover a trip you booked previously. Limitations vary, but requirements to purchase CFAR coverage can be as soon as within 24 hours of the first initial deposit you make on your trip or you may have as much as 21 days.

Coverage is excluded for trips that have already commenced . Once you have started traveling, however, you may have trip interruption coverage.

Additionally, you may find trip cancellation/interruption insurance on your credit card . This coverage is not CFAR insurance and only applies in the same type of situations you’d find in some trip cancellation policies. If you do not need CFAR insurance, the coverage on your credit card may be sufficient. Let’s take a look at a few of the best cards that offer the coverage.

Bottom Line: Trip cancellation allows you to cancel your trip for specific reasons, including illness and legal obligations. CFAR coverage, when added to a comprehensive travel insurance policy, allows you to cancel your trip for any reason. 

The Best Credit Cards for Trip Cancellation/Interruption/Delay Coverage

While the trip cancellation coverage that comes with your credit card does not include CFAR insurance, it may still be sufficient to cover your trip. Here are a couple of the best credit cards that offer trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage.

In addition to being one of the best travel rewards cards, the Amex Platinum’s travel insurance benefits include trip cancellation and interruption insurance that offers a benefit of up to $10,000 per trip , and $20,000 per 12 month period per account.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card ® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card  is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access , hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment ( airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit )
• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
• Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
• Access to Amex International Airline Program
• No foreign transaction fees ( rates and fees )
• $695 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards ® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card ® , Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts ® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card ® . The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card ® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card ® . Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card ® .
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card ® . Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
• $189 CLEAR ® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card ® . Learn more.
• $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck ® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card ® . Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card ® . That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card ® . An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card ® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
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Hot Tip:  Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

You’ll find plenty of premium travel benefits on the card, including worldwide access to over 1,200 airport lounges , such as Centurion Lounge network locations. You’ll also receive hundreds of dollars in credits for Saks Fifth Avenue , Uber, and airline incidental fees .

Membership Rewards points earned on the card can be redeemed directly for travel with AmexTravel.com  or transferred to the American Express transfer partners for potentially greater value.

One of our favorite travel rewards cards also comes with trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage .

If your trip is canceled due to a covered reason, coverage is afforded up to $10,000 per incident . The benefit is limited to $20,000 per occurrence (more than 1 person could be covered) and $50,000 per 12-month period.

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred ® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance . With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
• 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide
• $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Travel portal
• 6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
• Excellent travel and car rental insurance
• 10% annual bonus points
• No foreign transaction fees
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt
• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
• 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℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 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, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
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The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is packed with benefits and earns big on travel and dining. When it’s time to redeem your Ultimate Rewards points , they’re worth 25% more in value towards travel when redeemed through the Chase Travel Portal . You also have the flexibility to transfer your points to Chase travel partners to redeem for award flights and/or free hotel nights.

Bottom Line: Several credit cards come with trip cancellation/interruption/delay coverage. While the coverage that is included on your card may still be sufficient to cover your trip, it is not CFAR insurance and will not allow you to cancel your trip for any reason. 

For more options, see our dedicated article on the best credit cards for travel insurance coverage .

CFAR and the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Due to recent events, you may be looking for coverage that allows you to cancel a future trip if you make a decision not to go due to the coronavirus pandemic . Many existing policies cover  trip cancellation due to your own illness, or the illness of other covered  individuals, and the coronavirus can be included.

If you simply decide not to go due to fear of traveling or getting quarantined, however, these are not covered reasons under an existing travel insurance policy without CFAR .

Trip cancellation policies typically cover sudden and unexpected events. Since the virus is now a “known event,” a term commonly used in the insurance industry, the only way to secure coverage for a voluntary trip cancellation is by purchasing CFAR coverage on a comprehensive travel insurance policy.

Also, not all travel insurance companies sell CFAR , and those that do have restrictions like the ones we mentioned previously. There is, however, plenty of availability for those who would like to purchase coverage for an upcoming trip or a very recently booked one.

Most travel insurance websites that have made statements addressing the virus offered information on how to purchase appropriate coverage and spoke candidly as to how existing policies apply to the COVID-19 virus.

Here’s a sampling of what they’re saying:

“Select a comprehensive travel policy with CFAR coverage.”

The popular travel insurance search engine, Insure My Trip, informs consumers that if they are looking for policies that could cover COVID-19-related claims , they’ll need to select a comprehensive policy with Cancel for Any Reason coverage.

Another popular site, Squaremouth , represents dozens of travel insurance providers and offers a guide to purchasing travel insurance in light of the pandemic. It also posts a helpful list of statements issued by travel insurance companies explaining whether the virus is covered under their existing policies.

You’ll find a wide selection of travel insurance policies that allow you to add CFAR coverage .

“World Nomads does not have an endemic or pandemic exclusion for policies which means that you may make claims arising from the COVID-19 for the benefits specified in your policy.”

While World Nomads does not offer CFAR add-on coverage , it reminds its policyholders that the coronavirus is a covered illness on its policies just like other illnesses as they relate to trip cancellation and other related trip coverages.

“Many travelers are looking for the flexibility to change their travel plans and seek compensation — they want Travel Insurance Cancellation For Any Reason.”

Aardy recommends Cancel for Any Reason insurance if you’re booking an expensive trip and think you might need to cancel. Its site makes it easy to find and compare travel insurance policies that offer the coverage.

Bottom Line: Standard trip cancellation insurance does not allow you to cancel your trip due to fear of getting the COVID-19 virus. Only Cancel for Any Reason insurance, added to a comprehensive travel insurance policy, provides coverage for trips canceled for any reason. 

Where Can I Buy CFAR Insurance?

The primary reason to purchase CFAR insurance is to be able to cancel your trip for any reason you feel necessary. The enhanced ability to cancel your trip causes the premium you pay for CFAR coverage to be higher. It is estimated that the surcharge can be at least 40% added to the price of a travel insurance policy .

With that being said, you may be willing to pay the extra money to have peace of mind that you’ll recoup most of your funds should you need/want to cancel.

So, where can you purchase CFAR insurance? Fortunately, it’s readily available but you’ll have to be diligent and read the fine print . Here are some examples of getting a quote for the coverage and making sure it’s included.

Insure My Trip recommends a comprehensive policy with Cancel for Any Reason coverage for consumers who are looking to select policies that would cover voluntary trip cancellations.

When searching for a comprehensive travel insurance policy for 2 travelers, ages 35 and 37, going to Italy on a $3,000 trip about 6 months in the future, the quotes ranged from $118 to $270 . When adding CFAR insurance, the quotes increased to a range from $189 to $315 , which includes both travelers.

The site also notes that these policies do not cover New York state residents for CFAR due to insurance regulations.

Squaremouth is a travel insurance search engine allowing you to search, compare, and purchase travel insurance for dozens of insurance companies offering travel insurance.

It’s not difficult to find CFAR coverage on Squaremouth. Using the same criteria of 2 travelers, ages 35 and 37, traveling to Italy in 6 months, spending $3,000 for their trip, the site offered plenty of options.

To find policies with CFAR coverage, simply insert your information, and when the results appear, apply the Cancel for Any Reason filter by checking the box.

Searching for a policy with CFAR on TravelInsurance.com  is easy. Using the same criteria as previous quote searches, the results looked really competitive. Note, however, that CFAR is an add-on at checkout.

Still, the ease of getting a quote and the comparison feature made it simple to find a policy with CFAR coverage and compare policy details between plans.

While we highly recommend World Nomads  for its innovative and comprehensive travel insurance policies, it does not offer CFAR add-on coverage.

If you are an active traveler who participates in outdoor activities or sports, or you’re involved in other adventure-related travel, chances are you’ll find coverage that matches your travel profile with World Nomads.

Aardy.com  is a licensed insurance company that allows you to compare over 30 travel insurance providers online. It also has a staff of agents to assist you should you need help selecting a policy.

Once again, we used a scenario of 2 travelers ages 35 and 37 traveling to Italy on a $3,000 trip in October. Benefits listed are per person but total prices include all travelers.

AardvarkCompare is unique in that it also analyzes the travel insurance coverage that the airlines offer when you purchase a ticket. Its advice is to not limit yourself to the 1 option offered by the airline at the time of purchase but to compare several options and select the 1 with the most coverage for the best price.

Hot Tip: AardvarkCompare offers this tip for realizing big saving on airline tickets: if you’re purchasing a refundable fare ticket because you’re not sure of your exact schedule or think there is a chance you might have to cancel, purchase a non-refundable fare for a fraction of the cost and insure the flight with CFAR. A $450 non-refundable flight can be covered for as little as $40 on Aardy or for similar rates on the other sites we mentioned that offer CFAR.

Insurance is regulated by the individual states, so there are differences in policies and premiums depending on where you live. However, some regulations are consistent, such as the Free Look Period, which allows you to review a purchased policy for a specified number of days, usually 10-14 days. If you do decide not to keep the policy, you can cancel and receive a full refund.

Due to the state of New York’s insurance regulations, CFAR insurance is not available for sale in that state.

You may not be able to purchase travel insurance or CFAR coverage for travel to some high-risk areas. If an area is restricted, it will not even be possible to secure a quote for a trip that includes such destinations within the itinerary.

While CFAR coverage may only reimburse 50%-75% of your trip costs , keep in mind that you may be able to recoup some costs from travel providers. For example, an airline might issue a refund minus any change/cancellation fees or a tour operator may issue a partial refund, depending on the situation.

Travel insurance can be a valuable resource should you need it, but it can also give you peace of mind before your trip, knowing you won’t lose your entire investment should you not be able to go. With CFAR insurance, you can also simply decide not to go and still be protected for the majority of your trip expenses.

Purchasing CFAR insurance can make sense even when you’re just purchasing a flight. Airlines offer insurance, but it’s usually just 1 option and not the best price or coverage. Using one of the travel insurance sites that compares several providers can help you select a policy that may give you better value.

While it may not make sense to insure inexpensive trips, if you’re booking flights, hotels, and activities that involve non-refundable deposits, having the added protection will ease your mind and come through for you if you should need to use the coverage.

For additional information on purchasing travel insurance, you’ll want to access these related articles on the best travel insurance companies and our ultimate guide to buying travel insurance .

All information and content provided by Upgraded Points is intended as general information and for educational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as medical advice or legal advice. For more information, see our  Medical & Legal Disclaimers .

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cancel for any reason insurance worth it.

Yes, if you’re booking a trip and have some doubt as to whether you might have to cancel, it can be worth it.

In addition to protecting your investment, you are also purchasing the peace of mind you receive in the time frame leading up to your trip.

While CFAR insurance does not cover 100% of your trip costs, you may be able to recoup a portion of your trip costs from the travel provider.

How much does CFAR insurance cost?

Prices for adding CFAR insurance to a travel insurance policy vary based on coverage. If you purchase coverage that reimburses up to 50% of your total trip costs, it will cost less than purchasing coverage that reimburses up to 75%.

Travel insurance providers show estimates that the cost can range from 40% of the base policy price to 70% of the base price as an additional amount for the coverage.

What does Cancel for Any Reason insurance cover?

Cancel for Any Reason insurance, when added to a comprehensive travel insurance policy, allows you to cancel your trip for any reason. Whether you didn’t get your passport renewal back in time, have an unexpected wedding you’d like to attend, or simply decide not to go, you’ll be covered under CFAR insurance.

This broad coverage comes with restrictions, however. You must insure your trip for 100% of its cost, purchase the coverage shortly after you make your first trip deposit, and coverage does not reimburse 100% of your trip costs.

Does trip cancellation on my credit card cover canceling for any reason?

No, trip cancellation insurance that comes with your credit card only covers specific reasons for canceling a trip. Typically covered reasons include your illness, an immediate family member’s illness, jury duty, or your home is made uninhabitable.

Cancel for Any Reason insurance covers canceling your trip for any reason if you have added the coverage on a travel insurance policy at the time of purchase and paid the additional premium.

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About Christine Krzyszton

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.

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Best Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance

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"Cancel for Any Reason" (CFAR) travel insurance provides the utmost flexibility, allowing you to cancel your trip for any reason that's not covered by standard travel insurance. It's the safety net for those 'just in case' moments, offering peace of mind for unforeseen circumstances. Let's dive into what sets the best CFAR travel insurance apart from other policies.

Our picks for the best cancel for any reason travel insurance

Best overall: seven corners travel insurance.

Best value: Travel Guard

Best for adventurers: Travelex Travel Insurance

Best for popularity: Trawick International Travel Insurance

Best for cruises and tours: AXA Assistance USA

Best for quick protection: TravelSafe Insurance

Seven Corners Travel Insurance is a well-known carrier that has served thousands of travelers. The Trip Protection Choice plan offers a cancel for any reason travel insurance add-on that covers up to 75% of total trip costs, with a maximum of up to $75,000 in reimbursement. Medical coverage is also generous, with up to $500,000 per person for eligible medical expenses and evacuation/repatriation limits of up to $1 million per person.

Seven Corners also offers generous benefits on lost baggage and delayed travel or baggage expenses. Baggage delay benefits kick in after just six hours and go up to $500 per person.

The Choice plan does not insure travel canceled by tour operators that are or have gone out of business, so this policy may not be the best fit for travelers who plan to visit destinations with tenuous

Read our Seven Corners Travel Insurance review here.

Best value: AIG Travel Guard

Travel Guard  is one of the best-known names in the travel insurance industry, with several plans available for traveler needs in every direction. AIG also provided the lowest quote for our hypothetical Europe travelers despite offering the highest ceiling on CFAR reimbursement.

Both AIG's Preferred and Deluxe insurance plans offer CFAR coverage as an add-on to the policy, and some policies cover up to 75% of total trip costs going all the way up to a maximum reimbursement of $112,500.

Many AIG policies also include COVID coverage even without CFAR protection, as well as some ancillary benefits such as rental car protection and even pet travel insurance.

Read our AIG Travel Guard Insurance review here.

Best for adventurers: Travelex

Travelex Travel Insurance is a great cancel for any reason option for travelers who plan to participate in strenuous or adventurous activities during their trip. While the CFAR coverage add-on only reimburses up to 75% of nonrefundable trip expenses, it still provides a certain modicum of peace of mind in case of emergencies, with cancellation available as an option up to 48 hours before travel begins.

Travelex offers low medical coverage compared with its competitors, with a maximum of up to $50,000 per person. Travelers participating in adventure sports can purchase an optional add-on bundle for additional coverage. In case of emergency, Travelex policy holders might do well to consider the travel insurance benefits on their credit cards to supplement any potential medical expenses.

Read our Travelex Insurance review here.

Best for popularity: Trawick 

Trawick International Travel Insurance had one of the priciest plans with CFAR coverage in our comparison, but the carrier's popularity amongst travelers is undeniable, for many reasons. The Safe Travels Explorer is particularly beneficial for pet owners who may incur medical expenses for their animals, as the plan includes up to $250 toward unexpected costs for cats and that who accompany their owners in their travels.

While Trawick's CFAR coverage was one of the most expensive add-ons we evaluated as well, the carrier offers generous compensation margins for travelers who need it, with up to 75% reimbursement for nonrefundable trip costs.

Read our Trawick Travel Insurance review here.

Best for Cruises: A XA Assistance USA

AXA Assistance USA  is a great option for our hypothetical Europe cruise travelers, with its coverage of up to $1,500 per person for missed cruises and tours. This insurer also covers lost and delayed ski, sports and golf equipment – items that aren't always included in lost or delayed baggage coverage under other carriers. The rest of your belongings are safe too with AXA, as lost baggage claim ceilings are up to $3,000 per person - more than double some of its other competitors.

Unfortunately, AXA may not be the best fit for travelers who need high-ticket travel protection, as the upper limit for CFAR reimbursement only goes up to a maximum of $50,000 despite covering up to 75% of total nonrefundable expenses, which is lower than the ceilings from other competitors such as AIG and Seven Corners. Furthermore, CFAR insurance coverage can only be added on to AXA's top-tier Platinum plan.

Read our AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance review here

Best for convenience: TravelSafe

Travel insurance is a great option to consider if you have a lot of stops or transits on your trip, or if you are an expat living abroad. This insurer offers flexible coverage terms for longer travel durations. If you are 79 years old or younger, you can purchase a single-trip travel insurance plan that can cover your adventures for up to 120 days. Furthermore, reimbursement for baggage delays and losses, trip delays and missed connections kick in far more quickly than most competitors, with up to $2,500 per person for eligible missed travel connections available at the three-hour mark.

While TravelSafe's medical coverage of up to $100,000 may be on the lower side for travelers who anticipate potential medical expenses, those with the right credit cards may be able to supplement their emergency costs through a claim with their card issuer.

Read our TravelSafe Insurance review here.

Understanding 'Cancel for Any Reason' Coverage

Key features.

CFAR policies are unique; they allow cancellation for reasons beyond the usual covered reasons of travel insurance policies. This includes fear of traveling due to a pandemic or a sudden change of mind. However, it's essential to understand the specifics, such as the percentage of the trip cost reimbursed and the time frame for cancellation.

How CFAR Differs from Standard Policies

Unlike traditional travel insurance policies that cover specific cancellation reasons like illness or weather-related issues, CFAR offers a broader spectrum of coverage. It's the premium choice for travelers seeking full control over their plans.

That said, you must also buy travel insurance early if you want to qualify for a CFAR policy, usually within a certain period from when you place a deposit on your trip. That's why it's important to be mindful of when you buy travel insurance . 

How to Pick The Best CFAR Travel Insurance Plan for You

There is no one-size-fits-all "best" insurance plan, especially for CFAR coverage, which can add to your insurance premium. Even for the same person, the right policy will vary from trip to trip, depending on your activities.

If you're primarily concerned about getting your money back if your schedule changes, you may be able to get away with a basic plan that allows you to add CFAR coverage. If you're undertaking a grueling hike through some challenging mountain ranges, you may want to select a policy that includes generous medical and evacuation protection, plus flexibility to reschedule or re-book your trip in case of injury. And if you plan to visit a number of destinations within a short amount of time, trip delay or baggage loss protection may need to be one of your top priorities. If you only need basic coverage, consider our guide for the  best travel insurance policies .

Steps to Choosing CFAR Coverage

• Evaluating Your Travel Needs Consider the nature of your trip, destinations, and what uncertainties you might face. This will help determine the level of travel insurance coverage you need.
• Comparing Prices and Benefits Analyze different policies in terms of cost, coverage percentage, and additional benefits. Look for the best value for your specific needs.
• Reading the Fine Print Understanding the terms and conditions, including the cancellation window and reimbursement process, is crucial to avoid any surprises.
• Making the Most of Your Policy Once you've chosen a policy, it's important to know how to use it effectively.
• Understanding Your Policy Familiarize yourself with the details of your policy, including how and when to file a claim.
• Tips for Filing a Claim Be timely and thorough when filing a claim. Keep all relevant documents handy and follow the provider's process closely to ensure a smooth experience.

How we reviewed CFAR travel insurance

Business Insider reviewed numerous insurance products looking for the best options. Especially when it come to travel insurance, each traveler has a distinct experience and plan. So we looked for companies offering the optimal coverage packages for certain groups.

To accurately compare the cost of CFAR coverage from the insurance carriers we recommend, we collected quotes for a hypothetical two-week trip to three countries in Europe for two travelers ages 38 and 45 that includes a river cruise, renting a vacation home, and taking several flights. The total cost of travel comes out to $14,000 between two people.

The main factors we evaluated when picking our top CFAR travel insurance options were: policy cost, level of protection, claims experience, and policy types.

All our reviews are independently done, meaning travel insurance companies don't get to review or approve our reviews. Similarly, our top guide spots are not for sale. All placements are earned through strong coverage, efficient claims handling, and strong customer service.

Read our insurance rating methodology for more details.

How do I purchase CFAR insurance?

CFAR insurance is purchased as an add-on to a single trip travel insurance policy. It will affect how much you can receive for a canceled trip, but won't affect your other benefits. 

Can I purchase CFAR insurance for annual plans?

No, insurance providers generally don't offer CFAR for multi-trip annual plans. It's limited to single trip travel insurance.

What percentage of my trip cost will CFAR insurance reimburse?

This varies by provider, but typically, CFAR policies reimburse between 50% and 75% of the pre-paid, non-refundable trip cost.

Is cancel for any reason travel insurance worth it?

Yes, cancel for any reason travel insurance is worth it if there's a chance you need to change your travel plans. Traditional travel insurance only offers cancellation coverage for specific reasons, so CFAR insurance provides extra coverage and peace of mind. It also reduces the amount of paperwork necessary for filing a claim.

What is the difference between trip cancellation and cancel for any reason?

Trip cancellation coverage is a benefit of standard travel insurance plans, offering reimbursement if your trip needs to be canceled for specific covered reasons, such as a death in the family or illness. On the other hand, cancel for any reason insurance, reimburses you for a canceled trip regardless of the reason, so there are fewer restrictions.

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6 truths and myths about 'cancel for any reason' travel insurance

In the uncertainty of the pandemic-era travel world, purchasing travel insurance is becoming an essential part of any trip. In the past two years, people have purchased travel insurance policies in record numbers. Travel insurance comparison site Squaremouth reported insuring 300% more travelers in 2021 than 2020, and 70% more than in 2019. With ever-changing travel rules and regulations, frequently delayed or canceled flights and cruises, border closures and the omnipresent risk of COVID-19, travel insurance should continue to be a consideration.

Given the amount of pandemic-related exceptions and exclusions in regular travel insurance policies, more travelers have been considering "cancel for any reason" travel insurance. CFAR policies allow travelers to get reimbursed in the event they choose to cancel their trip out of caution, fear or other personal reasons unrelated to illness or accident. The Seven Corners travel insurance company told TPG it had seen a 180% increase in CFAR product sales from 2019 to 2020 as the pandemic brought chaos into the travel world.

But is CFAR travel insurance right for you? How affordable and reliable are such policies? TPG spoke with industry experts about the truths and myths of CFAR travel insurance.

Want more travel tips and advice from TPG? Sign up for our daily newsletter .

You can really cancel for any reason, at any time

Myth : This is insurance — of course there are exceptions. While CFAR travel insurance is much more comprehensive than regular travel insurance, every policy has particular rules (and some exclusions) around reimbursement for cancellation. As with all insurance policies, it's critical to review the details and read the policy fine print prior to purchase.

According to Angela Borden, product marketing strategist at Seven Corners, the company's CFAR policies do not refund trip expenses if a tour operator cancels a trip because the policyholders should be able to get their refunds from the operator. Also, most CFAR policies have specific required timing for purchase and cancellation, or the policy is invalid. Insurance companies typically require you to purchase the policy within a couple of weeks of booking the trip.

Also, a policy may only issue trip coverage if you cancel at least a certain number of days before a trip is set to begin (in Seven Corners' case, two days in advance). Every company's policy is going to be different, and many companies have several products within the CFAR category. Do your research in advance to be sure you get the coverage you're looking for. "CFAR policies have terms, conditions and exclusions just like any other insurance product," says Daniel Durazo, director of external communications at the Allianz Partners insurance company.

Related: Harsher cancellation policies return for cruises

CFAR is outrageously expensive

It depends : The value of CFAR depends on the style of your trip, your budget and your cost-benefit perspective. CFAR policies typically cost about 40-50% more than other standard travel insurance policies. A sample pricing search on the Travelers Insurance website generated a quote for $575 to cover a $10,000 trip value, while adding CFAR to the policy upped the rate to $828. (Note: Prices and coverage vary widely by firm and coverage.)

A survey of TPG readers revealed that many people don't mind the surcharge, as it provides peace of mind. Some travelers' personal situations may make it more likely they'll cancel a trip for a reason not covered under a typical policy, so the anticipated benefit matches the cost. However, several TPG readers consider CFAR policies "a big waste of money" and "way too expensive." Readers have reported satisfaction with the pricing and coverage of more traditional travel insurance policies that now include expanded health coverage.

Related: Key reasons you want to buy travel insurance

Anyone can buy CFAR insurance

Myth : While CFAR is widely available, it has historically been prohibited to residents of New York. The state's Department of Financial Services had declared that "CFAR benefits in the travel context do not technically qualify as insurance because the cancellation of a trip 'for any reason' does not depend on the occurrence of fortuitous event." However, in March 2020, the department issued an Insurance Circular Letter to revise the rule, stating that CFAR benefits can be sold by an insurer in New York if "necessary or incidental to its travel insurance business." The revision also mentions that non-insurers can sell CFAR benefits "if they are not sold as an insurance product."

At the time of the ruling, six insurance firms announced plans to issue CFAR policies in New York. However, Seven Corners and many other firms still do not offer CFAR policies in New York, and for those who might offer the product, their CFAR policy rules and structures may be different than those offered in other states. It is recommended to speak directly with an insurance agent if you're looking to buy CFAR insurance as a resident of New York.

Only CFAR covers COVID-19-related cancellations

Myth : Many new travel insurance products have been created specifically with COVID-19 in mind, and many older policies have been modified to include COVID-19 coverage. "We've found that the epidemic enhancements we've made have met most travelers' needs," Durazo said in regard to his company Allianz Partners. "Our standard products now cover cancellations and interruptions due to serious pandemic illnesses, as well as medical emergencies, denied boarding due to suspected illness and mandatory personal quarantines."

TPG readers have reported that they've found medical-only travel insurance to be "a cheap and wise option." Borden, from Seven Corners, added that although a medical policy includes coverage for travelers who contract COVID-19 and consequently cancel their trips, "it will not cover your cancellation of a trip due to your fear of catching COVID-19." Such a cancellation reason would require a CFAR policy.

Related: Airbnb ending refunds for guests who get COVID-19

CFAR insurance covers your trip expenses in full

Myth : CFAR policies typically cover 75% of the specifically insured trip cost, with some policies refunding just 50% of the initial travel booking. "CFAR policies only cover a portion of prepaid expenses, so consumers have considerable 'skin in the game' if they have to file a claim," Allianz's Durazo said. "Consumers should weigh the costs and benefits of purchasing a CFAR policy versus a standard travel insurance policy that may meet their needs for a lower cost." Still, many TPG readers reported feeling satisfied after receiving a bulk of their trip refunded thanks to CFAR policies.

'My dog is sick' is covered under CFAR

Truth: TPG reader Sally McCormack had to cancel a trip because her dog had a serious illness. She contacted her CFAR insurance company and it did indeed refund 75% of her trip cost. Borden, from Seven Corners, confirmed this would be an acceptable reason for someone to cancel a trip under her company's CFAR policies, and those customers would be entitled to the specific product's stated refund payout. Multiple TPG readers also said they had "no issues" getting refunds when using their CFAR policies, and most were thankful they didn't lose too much money after canceling trips due to personal reasons that would not have been covered under a typical travel insurance policy.

Bottom line

CFAR travel insurance can provide peace of mind and financial coverage for travelers planning trips during these uncertain times. While CFAR does add costs (and does have certain exclusions, terms and conditions like any other insurance plan), many customers have been happy with the product. However, more travel insurance companies now offer affordable medical travel insurance products with pandemic-specific coverage, so many people have been selecting that option as a more cost-efficient alternative. Individual travelers should carefully review their anticipated risks and costs and always, always read the fine print on any insurance product.

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Trip Cancellation Insurance Explained

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Table of Contents

What is trip cancellation insurance?

Covered reasons for trip cancellation, what is not covered by trip cancellation insurance, cancel for any reason trip insurance, is trip cancellation insurance expensive, different ways to get trip cancellation insurance, which insurance coverage is best for me.

When booking travel, particularly expensive trips consisting of nonrefundable reservations, it makes sense to consider trip cancellation insurance since it can protect your deposit if your plans do not materialize due to unforeseen events. However, not every reason for canceling a trip will qualify for coverage, so you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the basics of trip cancellation insurance.

Trip cancellation coverage can be purchased as part of a comprehensive travel insurance policy , or you can receive it for free when you hold certain premium credit cards. The benefit is designed to protect prepaid, nonrefundable reservations, including flights, hotel reservations and other bookings if the trip is canceled due to an extraordinary circumstance. Each policy will state exactly which events are considered valid reasons for cancellations.

With COVID-19 still affecting travel plans, you’ll want to pay close attention to which reasons for cancellation due to the pandemic are valid. For example, wanting to cancel a trip you booked a while ago because your destination now has rising COVID-19 numbers and you’re afraid to travel is not likely a valid reason.

If you want to be able to cancel a trip for truly any reason, consider the Cancel For Any Reason supplemental upgrade when purchasing your insurance policy. CFAR will allow you to get up to 75% of your trip investment back as long as the trip is cancelled at least two days before departure.

» Learn more: Does my travel insurance cover the coronavirus?

Imagine you’ve booked a two-week vacation to Italy costing $5,000 ($1,000 flight, $3,500 hotel and $500 excursions), all of which is nonrefundable. Then, a week before your departure date, you fall and break your leg.

So, what does trip cancellation insurance cover?

If you have trip cancellation insurance, you’ll be able to get your entire prepaid, nonrefundable trip cost back (as long as the entire amount was insured), since injuries that necessitate medical treatment and prevent you from taking your trip qualify as a covered reason.

Other covered reasons include death of your traveling companion, inclement weather that results in disrupted service, jury duty, terrorist incident, job termination and other extraordinary events.

Although this is not an entire list of all the covered reasons, generally the cancellation must be due to unforeseen circumstances to qualify for a reimbursement. Review the fine print of your policy for the details of exactly which reasons are covered. When seeking reimbursement, you’ll need to submit claims to the insurance provider to substantiate your claim.

Although a wide range of reasons allow you to receive your prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses back in the event of a trip cancellation, there are important exclusions to know about.

Trip cancellation insurance will not cover losses arising from self-harm, foreseeable events, acts of war, taking part in activities considered dangerous (e.g., skydiving, bungee jumping, endurance races, etc.), a felony, childbirth, dental treatment and more.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

So what if you want the flexibility to cancel your trip for reasons other than those covered by your policy? For that, you're going to need the CFAR insurance mentioned above.

CFAR is often available as an add-on to travel insurance policies, and while it can come in handy if you want to cancel your trip just because, you're not likely to get all your money back.

Most CFAR policies will only reimburse 75% of your nonrefundable travel expenditures.

» Learn more: Best travel insurance with Cancel For Any Reason Coverage

The price of trip cancellation insurance can vary based on the traveler’s age, destination, length of trip, cost of trip and insurance company.

Using the same $5,000, two-week trip to Italy as mentioned above, a search of policies on SquareMouth (a NerdWallet partner) ranged from $115 to $470, representing 2.3% to 9.4% of the total trip cost.

» Learn more: How much is travel insurance?

All policies provide 100% coverage of the trip cost, however the more expensive plans usually have higher limits on benefits like medical evacuation.

If you’re only looking for trip cancellation coverage and no other protections, a policy equating to 2.3% of the total trip expenses seems reasonable.

On your travel credit card

Trip cancellation coverage can be included as part of a comprehensive travel insurance plan or offered as a benefit on premium travel credit cards.

For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® will reimburse you or your immediate family members up to $10,000 per trip. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and many other American Express cards also offer up to $10,000 in trip cancellation coverage. Terms apply.

These premium cards also offer other insurance benefits like trip interruption coverage, emergency assistance services, trip delay and more.

If you travel often and typically purchase trip cancellation coverage, consider applying for one of the cards that offer complimentary travel insurance . Not only will you get trip insurance benefits, but you will also get other travel perks and statement credits that can partly offset the annual fee.

Supplement by purchasing policies out-of-pocket

If the coverage limits offered on the cards aren’t sufficient or you’re looking for more protections (e.g., coverage for emergency medical expenses), you’d be better off with a travel insurance . Although you’d incur an additional cost for purchasing a comprehensive plan, you’d have many more benefits not commonly found in the insurance policies offered by the credit cards.

A comprehensive trip cancellation policy is likely to cover canceled flights so long as the flight or flights are nonrefundable and are a part of the total, prepaid expenses covered by your policy. Insurance provided by travel cards typically includes trip delay or cancellation coverage so long as you used that card to pay for your flight reservations.

If you're forced to cancel your trip due to extraordinary circumstances beyond your control, travel insurance will provide coverage for some or all of your nonrefundable travel expenditures, depending on your policy. Covered events will vary, so be sure to review the terms of any plan you intend to purchase.

Trip cancellation insurance is available for purchase from a wide range of companies and is often included as a benefit on travel credit cards. Under certain circumstances, it provides coverage for prepaid travel expenses in the event that you cannot complete your trip as planned.

A comprehensive trip cancellation policy is likely to cover canceled flights so long as the flight or flights are nonrefundable and are a part of the total, prepaid expenses covered by your policy.

Insurance provided by travel cards

typically includes trip delay or cancellation coverage so long as you used that card to pay for your flight reservations.

If you’re going on a trip consisting of costly flights, hotel reservations and excursions and would like to protect your prepaid, nonrefundable deposit but do not need any other coverage, a minimally priced trip cancellation insurance policy is a good choice.

If you have a premium travel credit card , check if you already have trip cancellation insurance as a benefit before you purchase a policy.

However, if you’re looking for additional coverage like travel medical insurance , and/or a basic plan doesn’t have adequate limits, consider a comprehensive travel insurance policy from providers such as AAA , Allianz , and AIG . Read NerdWallet's full analysis of the best travel insurance companies here .

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

on Chase's website

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.

sign up and keep track of your travel insurance events

Cancel ‎for Any Reason Travel Insurance: Is it Worth it?

• What is cancel for any reason trip insurance?
• Downsides of cancel for any reason coverage
• Is CFAR worth it?

When to get Trip Cancellation for Any Reason

Tip: You may see cancel for any reason coverage called CFAR travel insurance, and we call it Trip Cancellation For Any Reason.

Most travel insurance plans will not cover you if you cancel a trip just because you feel like it. There are set rules for what kind of trip-wrecking events are insured. However, there is one exception: travel insurance with cancel for any reason coverage.

Trip Cancellation For Any Reason coverage (CFAR) will let you cancel a trip for whatever reason you want and collect money on a claim, and you can get it as an add-on coverage with our Premium Plan .

That sounds exactly like what a lot of travelers are looking for… so why doesn’t everyone buy CFAR when they buy travel insurance?

It’s one of the most asked-about travel insurance coverages yet one of the least frequently purchased. Everyone wants cancel for any reason coverage, but few end up buying it.

Before we get into why that is, let’s talk a little about the basics of CFAR and how Trip Cancellation travel insurance coverage works when it doesn’t include cancel for any reason. 

Trip Cancellation vs. Cancel for Any Reason

Any travel insurance plan that covers Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption includes specific covered reasons, or similar limitations of the coverage. Those covered reasons usually fall into the following categories:

• Health, sickness, and death;
• Transportation failure;
• Weather and natural disasters ;
• Work reasons; and
• Military reasons.

However, cancel for any reason sweeps away all these categories in one fell swoop. If you want to cancel your trip for any reason – any reason, from a hangnail to a hurricane – you can.

That sounds amazing, right? Well, because it sounds amazing, there must be a catch.

Also read:  How Travel Insurance Can Help with Trip Cancellation

Downsides to CFAR Travel Insurance

While it’s true that cancel for any reason coverage will pay your claim even if you cancel a trip because of a pretend hangnail, what you may not know is that CFAR will not pay you back all the money you’ve invested in your trip.

A few things bring cancel for any reason trip insurance back down to earth:

1)    It’s expensive. Expect to pay a good deal more for travel insurance when adding on the Trip Cancellation For Any Reason coverage. Why so much? The expectation is that if you buy cancel for any reason coverage, you’re more likely to use it.

Also read: How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

2)    It only pays a percentage of the penalty amount. With many plans, like Generali’s Premium Plan , where it is an add-on option, Trip Cancellation for Any Reason will reimburse travelers up to 60% of the penalty amount for their trip. With expensive trips, the combination of an about an extra 50% in premium and only 60% penalty amount reimbursement is often a deal-breaker.

See the difference? Traditional travel insurance has fewer covered reasons for canceling but can pay back all non-refundable insured trip costs; travel insurance with Trip Cancellation For Any Reason has an infinite number of covered reasons, but only pays back a percentage of the penalty amount.

3)    Trip Cancellation for Any Reason coverage is not available to residents of New York.

There are also some eligibility requirements for cancel for any reason travel insurance coverage, which can only be added to our Premium plan:

• You have to buy it within 24 hours of making your initial trip deposit.
• You must cancel your trip 48 hours or more before you’re scheduled to leave.
• You must insure all of your nonrefundable trip costs.
• You were physically able to travel when you bought the coverage.
• All insured travelers under the coverage need to cancel in order to use the coverage.
• The Trip cost per person is no more than $10,000.

Is Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance Worth It?

Let’s do the math on all of that to see if travel insurance with Cancel For Any Reason coverage is really worth it.

Suppose your trip has a trip cost of $1,000, and you paid a $500 deposit when you bought the insurance. And let’s say the insurance plan costs $100, or 10% of your insured trip cost – a little low for a CFAR plan, but close enough for our calculations.

Remember, you only paid half of the trip cost, so you have $500 left to pay. If you cancel your trip before making your final payment, you’d only receive 60% of the $500 you paid initially – and you still might owe the final payment to your travel supplier.

In other words, you will have paid $100 plus $500 for the ability to get back about $300 for whatever reason – with the specter of paying another $500 down the road.

Even if you buy a CFAR plan because you’re afraid of getting COVID-19, spending $1,100 to get back roughly $300 doesn’t seem like the best way of addressing your fear. This is why many people ask about travel insurance with cancel for any reason, but only a handful actually buy the product.

See more surprising travel insurance features

Given that it costs a lot and doesn’t pay back all that much, when and why would you want to have travel insurance with cancel for any reason coverage? Several scenarios come to mind:

1)    When you’re headed into dangerous territory. Let’s take central Africa. The State Department is always putting on and taking off Do Not Travel notices to this part of the world – but sometimes the reasons why don’t fall under the covered reasons for cancellation. When the threat of something happening is great but nothing’s happened yet, cancel for any reason coverage can help you get back a good portion of your trip cost.

2)    When your trip is expensive but not that expensive. Think of that last example, but with the insurable expenses being airfare and a couple of nights in an inexpensive lodging. If the cost of travel insurance isn't too pricey, the extra cost for CFAR can be relatively affordable and logical.

3) If you’re pregnant . Travel when you’re pregnant can be fraught with complications. 

Most travel insurance plans , including Generali’s, exclude any kind of normal pregnancy or childbirth. Meaning any claims related to travel issues stemming from pregnancy will most likely not be paid. By adding CFAR coverage to our Premium plan, as long as you are not disabled from travel at the time you buy the insurance and  meet other requirements , you may get reimbursed for a majority of your trip costs if you’re pregnant and decide to cancel your trip.

4) If you have a new job or are self-employed. Involuntary job loss is a covered reason for Trip Cancellation, but you have to be on the job for one year or more for the coverage to be effective. Also, if you’re an independent contractor, a temporary employee, or are self-employed, coverage under that covered event is unavailable. With CFAR we don’t ask why you are canceling your trip, so any job-related reason for canceling your trip is covered.   

5) When you’re young. Not only do travel insurance premiums tend to be lower for younger travelers, but younger travelers tend to spend less on their travels – and they’re more impetuous. That combination makes Trip Cancellation for Any Reason much more attractive.

6)    When your trip isn’t set in stone. You bought on a whim ; you might want to have the ability to cancel on a whim. Keep in mind, you and all other insured’s still need to cancel at least 48 hours before your trip in order to qualify for coverage.

7)    When you’re going on your honeymoon . Unfortunately, getting left at the altar is not a covered reason for cancellation in most cases. If you’re thinking one or both of you might get cold feet, a CFAR travel insurance option might be a good idea. Keep in mind, both of you must cancel at least 48 hours before your trip in order to qualify for coverage.

Also read:  Two Situations Where CFAR Travel Insurance is Really Needed

If the flexibility of being able to cancel your trip for any reason appeals to you, get a quote , select Trip Cancellation For Any Reason when choosing a plan, and see if CFAR is worth it for you.  

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• Travel and Accommodation

Cancel for any reason travel insurance

• Thread starter martin
• Start date Tuesday at 4:00 PM

More options

Senior member.

• Tuesday at 4:00 PM

Anyone has bought this and claimed? Is it so straightforward? You can just decide to cancel your trip and they reimburse you incurred expenses like airfare, hotel, day tours, etc. No catch? What about if you book a group tour, also can just cancel and claim?  

High Supremacy Member

• Tuesday at 7:26 PM

martin said: Anyone has bought this and claimed? Is it so straightforward? You can just decide to cancel your trip and they reimburse you incurred expenses like airfare, hotel, day tours, etc. No catch? What about if you book a group tour, also can just cancel and claim? Click to expand...

Important details to keep in mind ​

• Tuesday at 7:58 PM

dilphinus said: Sigh. Read the wordings. https://www.singsaver.com.sg/blog/h...l-insurance-plan-and-get-a-refund-on-premiums https://www.fwd.com.sg/blog/travel-...-allow-you-to-claim-for-cancel-for-any-reason Important details to keep in mind ​ This add-on benefit has a broad scope of coverage, but there’s a time frame to note. To enjoy this flexible add-on coverage, you must purchase it within 7 days of making your initial trip deposit. Click to expand...

Airlines will soon have to pay you back if they cancel or delay your flight

Airlines must refund you in cash or your original form of payment — no vouchers..

By Sheena Vasani , a writer covering commerce, e-readers, and tech news. She previously wrote about everything from web development to AI at Inside.

Share this story

The Department of Transportation (DOT) finalized rules that will soon require airlines to quickly refund passengers if they cancel or delay flights or make significant changes.

Airlines must pay passengers back either in cash or in the original form of payment, no matter the reason they cancel their flight. Alternatively, passengers can choose to accept travel credit, other kinds of transportation, or another flight offered by the airline.

Airlines must also refund passengers if their flight itinerary is “significantly changed” and they don’t accept the airline’s alternative travel options. Specifically, this means that you can get your money back if your flight changes its arrival or departure time by three or more hours for domestic flights or six hours if you’re flying internationally. The policy also applies in a few other scenarios, like if your departure or arrival airport has changed.

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If your paid checked bags are substantially delayed, airlines must also offer you a refund for the baggage fee. You must first file a mishandled baggage report and will get a refund if you don’t receive your bag within 12 hours of your domestic flight arriving at the gate — or 15–30 hours of your international flight. You can also get your money back if the airline doesn’t deliver on in-flight extras you paid for, like seat assignments, Wi-Fi, and entertainment.

The DOT also announced it’ll require airlines to disclose additional fees for things like checked bags and canceling reservations before passengers buy their tickets.

“Airlines should compete with one another to secure passengers’ business—not to see who can charge the most in surprise fees,” US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. “DOT’s new rule will save passengers over half a billion dollars a year in unnecessary or unexpected fees by holding airlines accountable for being transparent with their customers.” 

The DOT will start implementing the new rules over the next six to 12 months.

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