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6 Best Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance Options

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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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Updated October 5, 2023

Table of contents

• CFAR insurance
• Best companies
• Cost of CFAR policies
• Factors to consider

Travel insurance offers financial protection for unforeseen events related to your trip, like loss of luggage, trip cancellations, and flight delays. Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage offers reimbursements if you need to cancel your trip for reasons not covered by your trip cancellation insurance.

Travelers who prefer greater flexibility in their travel insurance may benefit from adding this coverage to their policy. Here’s what you need to know about CFAR travel insurance.

Understanding cancel for any reason travel insurance

Say you cancel your trip for covered reasons, like an unexpected natural disaster or a serious injury. In that case, trip cancellation coverage offers reimbursements for all non-refundable trip costs (such as airline, hotel, etc.).

Meanwhile, CFAR travel insurance is an optional upgrade that increases trip cancellation coverage. It offers reimbursements between 50% and 75% on non-refundable trip costs if you cancel for virtually any reason, like personal emergencies or fear of traveling. [1]

What CFAR covers

CFAR insurance covers trip cancellations for any reason — even a known event like forecasted harsh weather. Below are a few other common cancellation scenarios that CFAR insurance covers:

Change of plans

Fear of travel

Family emergencies

Financial hardship

Current events

Disease outbreaks

Work-related situations

What CFAR doesn’t cover

While you can use your CFAR policy for almost any reason, you must use it correctly to get a refund on your canceled travel plans. Some exclusions include:

Last-minute cancellations: Most insurers require you to cancel your trip at least 48 hours before your departure date. Trip interruption offers coverage if you have to end your trip shortly after it has started.

Late purchases: Most travel insurance companies only allow you to purchase CFAR coverage within 14 to 21 days after your initial trip payment. [2]

Partially insured trips: You must insure all non-refundable trip payments.

Best companies for CFAR travel insurance

A handful of travel insurance companies exclude CFAR travel insurance coverage, as it increases liability. If you’d like to add CFAR travel insurance to your policy, consider checking out C&F Travel Insured, Travel Guard, Seven Corners, Travelex, and Trawick International travel insurance.

Best overall: C&F Travel Insured

C&F Travel Insured is the best travel insurance for CFAR coverage due to its affordable rates and high reimbursement limits. Insurify found that a 35-year-old male with a $4,000 trip to France will pay $218 for a Travel Insured Worldwide Trip Protector policy. A CFAR travel insurance add-on will cost this traveler $96, or about 44% more than their trip insurance cost.

Travel Insured CFAR insurance also reimburses you 75% of your trip cost. However, you can only add CFAR to its most comprehensive policy, the Travel Insured Worldwide Trip Protector. [3]

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll get with this travel insurance plan:

100% trip cancellation

150% trip interruption

Up to $1,000 in travel delay

$100,000 in medical coverage

$1 million in medical evacuation coverage

If you make any additional travel plans after purchasing CFAR insurance, you must insure the full cost of those plans within 21 days of your payment date. This coverage is only available no later than 48 hours before your scheduled departure date.

Best for cheap coverage: Travel Guard

Travel Guard is an excellent option for travelers who want additional protection within their budget. For a 35-year-old male with a $4,000 trip to France, a Travel Guard Deluxe policy costs $275. Adding CFAR coverage costs an additional $87, or about 32% of their policy’s cost without the add-on. While budget-friendly, Travel Guard’s CFAR insurance only reimburses 50% of your travel cost.

In order to qualify for the CFAR upgrade, all trip costs must have coverage at the time of purchase. You must also buy CFAR within 15 days of your first trip deposit. If you need to use it, you’ll have to cancel your trip no less than 48 hours before your departure date. [4]

Best for medical coverage: Seven Corners

Suppose you get injured abroad and can’t use your health insurance. Travel insurance medical coverage can kick in to pay for medical care and emergency evacuation. Seven Corners offers pre-existing conditions waivers, up to $500,000 in medical expenses, and up to $1 million in medical evacuation coverage.

You must purchase CFAR insurance within 20 days of your initial trip deposit and insure the cost of your entire trip within 15 days. Additionally, if you want to insure any other travel arrangements, you must do so within 15 days of paying for them.

You must cancel your trip two or more days before departure to qualify for CFAR coverage. It’s worth noting that this add-on excludes coverage for financial loss if a travel supplier goes out of business. [5]

Best for families: Travelex

If you’re planning your next family vacation, consider Travelex’s Family Travel Insurance. This plan offers coverage for you and all children younger than 17 at no extra charge. In addition to CFAR at a 75% refund up to $7,500, you can add adventure sports and car rental collision to your policy. [6]

The insurer requires you to insure your entire trip and purchase your CFAR plan within 15 days of your trip’s initial deposit. Trips longer than 30 days aren’t eligible for this add-on.

Best for customizability: Trawick International

Trawick International offers seven different trip cancellation insurance plans, from an affordable, basic policy to more comprehensive travel insurance plans. You can add CFAR coverage to four of its travel insurance policies.

Trawick International — like other insurers that offer CFAR coverage — requires you to purchase the add-on within a certain number of days from your trip’s first deposit or final payment date. This time frame will vary based on the plan you choose. Additionally, if you must cancel your trip, you must do so at least two days before departure. [7]

Cost of CFAR travel insurance per trip

A CFAR upgrade may increase your standard policy premium by 40% to 50%. For example, say your travel insurance policy costs $250 without CFAR. In that case, your travel insurance plan may cost $350 to $375 after CFAR coverage.

Is CFAR travel insurance worth it?

CFAR plans may be worth the additional cost if you foresee any potential reasons to file a claim for reasons not covered by your trip cancellation insurance. For example, say you’re traveling to a country with political unrest. Your CFAR coverage partially reimburses you for travel costs if you opt out of your trip due to growing tensions in the destination you’re traveling to.

How Much Is Travel Insurance?

Factors to consider when buying cfar travel insurance.

Before purchasing CFAR travel insurance, consider the following factors:

Cost of trip: If you’re going on an expensive trip, CFAR can provide financial protection if you change your mind. In contrast, you may not want to spend the extra money on CFAR insurance for a low-cost, domestic trip — especially if you can quickly recoup financial losses after cancellation.

Type of trip planned: While standard trip cancellation insurance covers many unforeseen reasons, it doesn’t cover personal reasons like fear of travel. CFAR may come in handy if you’re heading to a country with a high degree of political or health-related uncertainty and decide to opt out of your trip.

Personal reasons: If you foresee any personal matters, conflicting with your trip, such as a pregnancy or job-related issue, it may be a good idea to include CFAR insurance.

Reimbursement: With CFAR, most insurers will reimburse 50% to 75% of your prepaid, non-refundable travel costs if you cancel. You’ll want to choose an insurer that provides enough coverage based on your circumstances and the nature of your trip.

Cost of coverage: It’s important to weigh the cost of adding CFAR insurance against the type of trip, the price of your trip, and the likelihood you’ll need this coverage to determine if it’s a worthwhile financial decision.

How COVID-19 Travel Insurance Works

Cancel for any reason (cfar) travel insurance faqs.

Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about CFAR travel insurance by travelers.

How much does cancel for any reason travel insurance cost?

Cancel for any reason (CFAR) travel insurance usually costs between 40% and 50% of your travel insurance policy. It’s important to weigh the extra cost against the nature of your trip to determine if it’s worth purchasing.

Can you add CFAR coverage to an existing travel insurance policy?

Yes. Travel insurance companies won’t automatically include CFAR insurance to your policy, so you must add it yourself. However, CFAR is time-sensitive, and you must purchase it within 21 days of your first trip payment.

What are the best companies with CFAR travel insurance?

The best companies for CFAR insurance are C&F Travel Insured, Travel Guard, Seven Corners, Travelex, and Trawick International. Each has different pros and cons, so it’s worth comparing policies from each company to see what’s best for you.

How can you get a refund through your CFAR travel insurance?

You can get a refund for your CFAR insurance by filing a claim with your travel insurance company. Most insurers allow you to file a claim through their website, mobile app, or by calling a representative.

Related articles

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• Does Travel Insurance Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?
• National Association of Insurance Commissioners . " Travel Insurance ."
• SquareMouth Travel Insurance . " What is Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance? ."
• Travel Insured International . " Optional Cancel For Any Reason ."
• Travel Guard . " Cancel for Any Reason ."
• Seven Corners . " Travel Insurance ."
• Travelex Insurance Services . " Family Travel Insurance ."
• Trawick International . " Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) Travel Cancellation Insurance Plans ."

Alani Asis is a personal finance freelance writer with nearly three years of experience in content creation. She has landed bylines with leading publications and brands like Insider, Fortune, LendingTree, and more. Alani aims to make personal finance approachable through fun, relatable, and digestible content.

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Guide to Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) Travel Insurance

Is your next planned trip to an unpredictable destination? Cancel for any reason travel insurance may be the protection you need.

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A “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) travel insurance add-on upgrades your travel insurance policy to reimburse you for cancellations outside of the company’s list of covered reasons, such as weather or simply not wanting to travel. However, the CFAR add-on will nearly double the cost of the travel insurance policy.

Based on our research of CFAR availability, cost, and reimbursement percentages and terms, the travel insurance with top-notch CFAR coverage is Faye and Seven Corners. Read on to learn more about how CFAR coverage works, what it covers and more.

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What Is “Cancel For Any Reason” Travel Insurance?

Cancel for any reason travel insurance is an add-on you can purchase to upgrade your standard travel insurance policy. CFAR coverage entitles you to a percentage reimbursement if you need to cancel your vacation, no matter the reason. This is contrary to standard travel insurance policies, which include specific circumstances when you can claim a reimbursement for nonrefundable trip expenses. These are usually limited to a major injury or illness, death in the family, or major political or international events that could make travel unsafe or impossible.

How Does Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance Work?

Travel insurance policies are widely available and come in many forms. These policies have become especially popular since the COVID-19 pandemic has made overseas and air travel more unpredictable.

If you want or need to cancel your trip (or even move your scheduled departure date and return date), standard travel insurance policies require that you provide a reason for your trip cancellation. Your reason must match an approved reason listed under their policy rules. Approved cancellation reasons are usually stringent. Some common approved cancellation reasons include the following:

• Acts of terrorism or war in your home country or the country to which you’re traveling
• Death of a family member
• Death of a traveling companion 
• Hospitalization
• Jury duty or another type of unforeseen court-ordered appointment
• Military orders or deployment

Your travel insurance provider may require you to submit proof of your claim before you receive reimbursement. 

With CFAR travel insurance coverage, you can cancel your trip for reasons not listed as viable and reasonable under the standard travel insurance policy. You can use almost any reason to cancel your travel plans and still get partial reimbursement for prepaid and non-refundable trip costs, provided a few specific criteria.

Perhaps you develop a sudden fear of travel. Maybe your travel companion insists they can no longer make the trip with you. Perhaps you have unexpected medical expenses that take precedence over your trip and need that money back. The optional CFAR upgrade allows you to receive the majority of your money back using the aforementioned reasons or nearly any other reason. In most cases, whatever reason you provide is accepted under CFAR policies, although there are a few exclusions.

Let’s take a look at an example of how you might use CFAR coverage. Say you planned a week-long trip to Bermuda with a total of $2,500 in nonrefundable travel expenses, including your flight and lodging. You lose your job after you book your trip and decide now is not the best time to travel. You decide to cancel your vacation to save money and file a claim with your travel insurance provider.

While this cancellation reason would not usually entitle you to a refund under standard travel insurance coverage, you could request reimbursement with CFAR coverage. In this instance, you would receive a maximum refund up to the percentage outlined in your policy. For example, if you bought a policy with a 70% CFAR reimbursement, in this example, you would get a total refund of $1,750 for your $2,500 vacation.

Can I Get CFAR Coverage At Any Time?

No, you cannot purchase CFAR coverage at any time. Each travel insurance provider institutes its own limitations on how far away from your initial trip deposit you can upgrade to CFAR-level insurance. You typically need to purchase travel insurance between 14 to 21 days from your initial trip payment to qualify to add CFAR coverage. We recommend getting travel insurance quotes sooner rather than later if you’re interested in protecting your trip with a CFAR upgrade.

How Much Does “Cancel For Any Reason” Coverage Cost?

Regular travel insurance costs between 5% and 6% of your total trip cost. In our review, we found the average CFAR upgrade added 90% of the standard premium cost to your total insurance price. This means that in most cases, you can expect your premium to double when you upgrade to CFAR insurance.

To estimate pricing for your CFAR upgrade, we collected quotes for a series of travel insurance policies offered by our top providers. We requested a custom quote for a $5,000 vacation to Canada for a 35-year-old traveler. The table below represents the quotes we received for base plans and how much it would cost to add a CFAR upgrade.

“Cancel for Any Reason” (CFAR) Insurance vs. Standard Travel Insurance

We’ve already mentioned some significant differences between CFAR and standard travel insurance. However, inclusions on CFAR insurance upgrades can vary depending on the company issuing your travel insurance. You should consider the following as you compare CFAR insurance options between providers. 

Cost: CFAR travel insurance is always pricier than standard travel insurance. However, it’s not exorbitantly expensive and provides you with a broader range of cancellation flexibility. While CFAR insurance won’t cost more than 150% of regular travel insurance, it can provide much greater peace of mind when exploring abroad, especially in post-pandemic times.

Eligibility Requirements: You cannot purchase CFAR insurance on its own. This insurance is an optional add-on benefit to a standard travel insurance policy. Make sure you’re eligible for CFAR travel insurance by purchasing it no later than three weeks from your original travel insurance plan. Should you need to implement it, use it no fewer than 48 hours before your trip.

Fear of Illness: Standard travel insurance providers do not include fear of illness as a covered reason under most trip cancellation benefit plans. CFAR travel insurance does. The pandemic has changed the travel climate for the foreseeable future, and fear of possible illness is a perfectly acceptable cancellation option when using CFAR insurance. If you’re traveling abroad and think you might need to cancel because you’re at an increased risk of illness, purchasing CFAR insurance can be wise. 

Insurance Providers: Some travel insurance companies may not offer CFAR coverage and only offer trip cancellation insurance with restrictions. Be especially mindful of this if you are a New York state resident, where policies are more heavily restricted.

Compare the Best “Cancel For Any Reason” Travel Insurance Providers

Ready to start comparing coverage providers? The table below summarizes our top picks for CFAR travel insurance upgrades.

What Does CFAR Insurance Cover?

CFAR upgrades cover a variety of nonrefundable trip expenses, such as:

• Accommodations: CFAR coverage can reimburse you for nonrefundable hotel or hostel reservations.
• Airfare: If you bought nonrefundable or exchangeable airline seats, CFAR coverage can reimburse you for the cost of tickets.
• Travel arrangements: If you have must cancel prescheduled nonrefundable golf tee times, dinner reservations or rental car costs, CFAR coverage can reimburse you for a percentage of the cost.
• Event and concert tickets: Similar to travel arrangements, CFAR coverage can reimburse you for event tickets you aren’t able to sell or get refunded.
• Lost deposits: Even if you did not put down a full payment for an excursion or event, you can claim a partial refund of lost deposits with a CFAR insurance upgrade.

It’s important to note that CFAR insurance often comes with specific terms and conditions, which can include a deadline for purchasing coverage and a reimbursement requirement to cancel your trip within a specified timeframe. Review your policy documents to learn more about specific items included and excluded from your coverage.

What’s Not Covered by “Cancel for Any Reason” Travel Insurance?

Standard travel insurance policies typically reimburse the total amount of your deposit (or close to it) if you act within the time-sensitive parameters and cancel for the reasons accepted under the policy. On the other hand, CFAR policies will typically offer you between 50% and 75% reimbursement of your deposit or total trip cost if you cancel for reasons not explicitly listed under the terms of the policy.

Additionally, CFAR policies are time-sensitive. You must purchase the CFAR travel insurance add-on within a specific time frame of when you purchased your initial travel insurance policy. The time frame for implementing your CFAR benefits is between one and four weeks (depending on the company) after your initial trip deposit and purchase of standard travel insurance. 

Most companies offer CFAR trip cancellation coverage if you cancel your trip within a specific time frame. For travel insurance companies Travelex and Seven Corners, it’s within 48 hours of your scheduled departure date.

CFAR policies don’t cover some circumstances. For example, Seven Corners insists that, should a travel supplier cancel your trip, the responsibility for refunding your trip expenses falls on the operator, not the CFAR insurance policy. So, review the fine print and individual limitations of your policy before you buy travel insurance to be sure you’re getting the benefits you think you are.

Best “Cancel For Any Reason” (CFAR) Travel Insurance

Not every travel insurance provider offers the same level of CFAR coverage. The following are our top picks for travel insurance with CFAR benefits: 

• Faye: Our top pick
• Seven Corners Travel Insurance : Our pick for international travelers
• AIG Travel Guard : Our pick for families
• Travelex Insurance : Our pick for budget travelers
• Nationwide Travel Insurance : Our pick for cruise travel
• Trawick International : Our pick for college students
• AXA Assistance USA : Our pick for leisure travelers
• HTH Travel Insurance : Our pick for group travel
• International Medical Group : Our pick for medical coverage
• Generali Global Assistance : Our pick for emergency assistance

• CFAR coverage amount:  75% of trip cost
• Average plan cost :  $298
• CFAR upgrade cost : 16%–39% added to premium

Why We Picked Faye

Faye travel insurance is our choice for travelers who prioritize a streamlined, online buying process. With 100% online underwriting and the ability to access quick, general coverage, Faye is a good option for those purchasing travel insurance a few days before their trip. Though Faye only offers one travel insurance policy, it includes CFAR coverage that can reimburse up to 75% of your nonrefundable trip costs.

Faye’s CFAR upgrade is one of the most affordable we reviewed, adding an average of 16% to 39% to your premium cost. Compared to other insurance providers like Trawick, which doubled our quote when we added to CFAR coverage, Faye is a good choice for budget shoppers. However, you can only purchase CFAR coverage within two weeks of your initial trip deposit.

Pros & Cons

Plans and cost breakdown.

Unlike most travel insurance providers, Faye only offers one policy, which includes the following coverages:

• Trip interruption: 150%
• Medical expense: $250,000
• Emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains: $500,000
• Lost baggage: $150
• Trip delay: $4,500 ($300 per day)
• Baggage delay: $200

According to our review, the average Faye customer will pay $298 for an insurance policy.

Seven Corners Travel Insurance

• Average plan cost :  $169–$236
• CFAR upgrade cost : 4 0%–42% added to premium

Why We Picked Seven Corners

Seven Corners is our top travel insurance provider for international adventures because of its wide range of coverage options. From annual travel insurance plans to options that offer limited, affordable medical coverage, Seven Corners is known for its inclusive selection of plan offerings. While most coverage providers limit CFAR coverage availability to only the most expensive policy, Seven Corners makes this add-on available with two plan options.

Seven Corners’ CFAR upgrades were consistently affordable in our review, adding 40% of the cost of your coverage to most sample quotes we received. You can also upgrade to CFAR coverage 20 days after your initial trip payment, which is longer than some competitors. However, this upgrade is only available on single-trip policies and is not offered on a rolling basis for annual plans.

Seven Corners offers two travel insurance policies that allow you to upgrade to CFAR insurance: Trip Protection Basic and Trip Protection Choice. Both options are single-trip plans, with the Basic policy being Seven Corners’ budget option. It includes the following coverages:

• Trip interruption: 100%
• Medical expense: $100,000
• Emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains: $250,000
• Lost baggage: $250
• Trip delay: $600
• Baggage delay: $500

In our review, we found the average Trip Protection Basic policyholder will pay $169 for Basic coverage.

The Trip Protection Choice policy includes more optional coverage than the Basic policy, including a waiver for pre-existing conditions and event ticket registration. This policy also includes extended benefits over the Basic plan, including:

• Medical expense: $500,000
• Emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains: $1 million
• Trip delay: $2,000
• Baggage delay: $2,500

We found that the average Choice policyholder will pay about $236 for travel insurance.

AIG Travel Guard

• CFAR coverage amount: 50% of trip cost
• Average plan cost :  $171–$319
• CFAR upgrade cost : 3 1%–38% added to premium

Why We Picked AIG

AIG is our top pick for families looking for more inclusive group coverage because one child under age 17 is included with the purchase of an adult Travel Guard Deluxe plan. This policy also includes the option to add CFAR coverage at a lower rate than most competitors. However, the Deluze policy is not the only option for CFAR travel insurance — you can also upgrade to the lower-cost Preferred plan with the same coverage rates and reimbursement percentage.

While AIG’s CFAR upgrade is more affordable than competitors, it does come with a few limitations. You can only add up to 50% reimbursement, which limits your benefits. You also must purchase the upgrade within 14 days of your initial trip deposit purchase, which is on the lower end of the spectrum compared to other providers.

AIG offers two policy options that support CFAR upgrades: Travel Guard Preferred and Travel Guard Deluxe. The Travel Guard Deluxe plan includes the following coverages:

• Medical expense: $50,000
• Lost baggage: $1,000
• Trip delay: $800 ($200 per day)
• Baggage delay: $300

In our review, we found the average AIG customer could expect to pay about $263 for coverage.

The Travel Guard Deluxe policy is AIG’s more comprehensive single-trip option and includes a wider breadth of coverage than the Deluxe plan. For example, this policy includes coverage for one child under the age of 17 along with adult coverage. It also includes the following policy basics:

• Medical expense: $150,000
• Lost baggage: $2,500
• Trip delay: $1,000 ($200 per day)

Based on quotes we collected, we found that the average AIG customer could expect to pay about $319 for Deluxe-tier coverage.

• CFAR coverage amount: 7 5% of trip cost
• Average plan cost :  $176–$248
• CFAR upgrade cost : 71% to 110% added to premium

Why We Picked Travelex

Travelex offers a low-cost choice for travelers looking for a budget policy they can purchase at the last minute. Travelex also allows you to purchase CFAR coverage for up to 20 days from your initial trip payment. CFAR upgrades include 75% reimbursements, which is about average in the travel insurance industry.

In our review, we found that Travelex only offers one policy that supports a CFAR upgrade with its Travel Select plan. This may be disappointing for budget travelers purchasing the low-cost Travel Basic policy, which is offered at a flat rate of $40. CFAR upgrades added between 71% to 110% to the value of our quoted premium.

CFAR coverage is available with the Travel Select policy, which offers the following protections:

• Trip delay: $2,000 ($200 per day)

According to our review, the average Travelex policyholder can expect to pay between $176 and $248 for coverage depending on policy selection.

Nationwide Travel Insurance

• Average plan cost :  $132–$219
• CFAR upgrade cost : 85%–120% added to premium

Why We Picked Nationwide

While Nationwide is typically our top recommended provider if you’re taking a cruise vacation, its cruise policies do not include CFAR upgrade options. The company only offers a CFAR add-on with its standard travel insurance plan, the Prime policy. With CFAR coverage, the company will reimburse 75% of your nonrefundable trip costs, which is average in the industry. You can purchase the CFAR upgrade up to 21 days after your initial trip payment, which is about a week longer than most other providers.

The only Nationwide policy that includes the option to add CFAR coverage is the Prime travel insurance plan, which includes the following benefits:

• Trip interruption: 200%
• Trip delay: $2,000 ($250 per day)
• Baggage delay: $600

In our review, we found the average customer choosing Prime travel insurance level coverage from Nationwide can expect to pay $219 .

Trawick International

• CFAR coverage amount:  50%–75% of trip cost
• Average plan cost :  $159–$265
• CFAR upgrade cost : 81%–215% added to premium

Why We Picked Trawick

Trawick offers CFAR upgrades with five of its Safe Travels policy options for U.S. residents, which is more than any other provider on our list. Additionally, Trawick is our top choice for college students thanks to its wide range of coverage for student-oriented visas.

While Trawick offers a variety of coverage options, you’ll need to be within 14 days of your initial trip deposit to invest in CFAR upgrades on most policies. Depending on the plan you choose, you may have the option to add between 50% and 75% in reimbursements, which may leave you with less coverage than some competitors. Depending on your selected coverage option, CFAR upgrades may also be prohibitively expensive with Trawick.

Trawick offers CFAR add-on options with a variety of plan options, but three of the most popular include Safe Travels Armor, Safe Travels Voyager and Safe Travels First Class. The Safe Travels Armor policy is Trawick’s most popular policy choice and includes the following coverages:

• Trip delay: $1,000 ($100 per day)
• Baggage delay: $250

The Safe Travels Voyager policy is a more affordable option and includes the following coverages:

• Medical expense: $25,000
• Lost baggage: $300
• Trip delay: $1,000 ($250 per day)

Finally, the Safe Travels First Class policy includes a bit more coverage, including the following options:

• Emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains: $200,000
• Lost baggage: $200
• Trip delay: $1,000 ($150 per day)

Based on quotes we gathered, customers can expect to pay between $159 to $265 for a Trawick travel insurance policy.

AXA Assistance USA

• CFAR coverage amount: 75% of trip cost
• Average plan cost :  $188–$274
• CFAR upgrade cost : 118%–170% added to premium

Why We Picked AXA

We selected AXA as our top pick for leisure travelers because of the unique benefits included with its Platinum Plan, such as coverage for lost leisure activities like lost rounds of golf and ski days. The Platinum Plan also includes generous coverages for baggage — and is AXA’s only option that includes CFAR upgrade options.

AXA’s CFAR coverage includes 75% in reimbursements, which meets the industry average. Customers must purchase a CFAR upgrade within 14 days of their initial trip deposit, which is also average compared to competitors. However, CFAR coverage from AXA is more expensive than most competitors — in our review, adding a CFAR upgrade at least doubled the price of our quoted premium.

AXA’s Platinum Plan includes the following standard coverages:

• Lost baggage: $500
• Trip delay: $1,250 ($300 per day)

We collected quotes from the company and found the average AXA customer can expect to pay $274 for Platinum Plan-level coverage.

HTH Travel Insurance

• Average plan cost :  $168–$284
• CFAR upgrade cost :  50% added to premium

Why We Picked HTH

HTH is our top choice for group coverage thanks to its premium discounts — when you buy travel insurance as a group, each individual member can save 10% on their coverage. However, if you want to purchase CFAR coverage you will need to opt for the most inclusive and higher-cost TripProtector Preferred policy. Each member must purchase the same coverage when buying as a group, which can make HTH’s CFAR upgrade less beneficial for multiple people.

Based on our research, HTH offers competitively priced CFAR coverage — after collecting a series of quotes, we noticed a consistent increase in premium cost by around 50%. When combined with average premiums and reimbursement rates, HTH is a solid choice for CFAR coverage. If your full group is interested in higher-value coverage and CFAR upgrades, HTH’s discounts could be right for you.

The only plan from HTH that offers the option for CFAR coverage is TripProtector Preferred, which includes the following coverages:

• Trip delay: $2,000 ($500 per day)
• Baggage delay: $400

According to our review, the average HTH policyholder will pay between $168 to $284 for coverage depending on their policy choice.

International Medical Group

• Average plan cost :  $95–$356

Why We Picked International Medical Group

Our team recommends the International Medical Group (IMG) for its extensive medical coverage options. With more than 10 individual travel insurance options and medical-only plans, IMG is a strong choice for students and education professionals with visas necessitating medical coverage. However, only one policy option, the iTravelInsured Travel LX plan, includes the choice to add CFAR coverage.

The CFAR upgrade to the iTravelInsured Travel LX plan includes 75% reimbursement, which is average within the industry. We found that IMG’s policy pricing was consistent in terms of adding CFAR coverage, consistently adding 50% of your initial premium to your total cost. While IMG’s higher-than-average premium pricing may negate this benefit in some cases, it is worth considering if you’re looking to combine CFAR coverage with all-inclusive medical protections.

IMG’s only policy that offers a CFAR add-on option is the iTravelInsured Travel LX policy, which includes the following coverages:

• Trip delay: $2,500 ($250 per day)

Our review found the average IMG customer can expect to pay $356 for travel insurance, which is higher than most competitors we reviewed.

Generali Global Assistance

• CFAR coverage amount: 60% of trip cost
• Average plan cost :  $211–$322

Why We Picked Generali

Generali is worth considering if you’re planning an adventure to a country where your primary language is not as commonly spoken. All of Generali’s policies include access to 24/7 bilingual travel assistance — which can add peace of mind for those taking their first international trip. Based on our research, Generali also consistently quoted its CFAR upgrade at 50% of the price of the original premium.

While Generali’s CFAR upgrade is more affordable, you must be within 24 hours of your initial trip deposit to add coverage. The company also caps reimbursements at 60% of your total trip cost, which is less than most other providers on our list.

If you’d like to opt into CFAR travel insurance, you’ll need to buy Generali’s most expensive coverage option, the Premium plan, which includes the following basic coverages:

• Trip interruption: 175%
• Lost baggage: $2,000
• Trip delay: $1,000 ($300 per day)

Based on the quotes we gathered, we determined Generali Platinum coverage came at an average premium of $322 .

How We Ranked CFAR Coverage Providers

Most travel insurance providers offer some type of CFAR coverage. We requested quotes from dozens of insurers for policies with CFAR add-ons and compared rates in the following areas to determine our company rankings.

• Percentage reimbursed: Companies with reimbursement rates over 75% received higher ratings, while those offering lower reimbursement percentages ranked lower.
• Cost: CFAR coverage is billed as an add-on to a standard travel insurance premium, not as its own policy. Companies with CFAR add-ons with lower percentage price increases received higher rankings.
• Purchase timeframe: To qualify to purchase CFAR coverage, you’ll need to be within a specific window from your initial trip deposit. This window varies by company, with the average being 14 to 21 days from your initial purchase date. Companies with wider CFAR add-on purchase windows received higher rankings and vice versa.
• Policy availability: Most travel insurance providers that offer CFAR upgrades limit the add-on to higher, more expensive tiers of coverage. Companies with multiple policies offering CFAR add-ons received more points in our review.

Will CFAR Coverage Refund My Whole Trip?

No — even the most generous cancel for any reason coverage will not refund 100% of your trip costs. When you enroll in a travel insurance policy and upgrade to CFAR-inclusive coverage, your travel insurance provider will reimburse you up to a certain percentage if you file a valid claim.

In our review, we found you can expect most CFAR upgrades to offer a 75% reimbursement of trip expenses. As an example, say you planned a trip to Canada with a total of $5,000 in nonrefundable trip expenses. You opted into CFAR coverage, which entitles you to a 75% trip cost reimbursement. In this example, if you needed to cancel your trip for any reason, you’d get a maximum refund of $3,750 — 75% of your total trip cost of $5,000.

How Do I Get “Cancel for Any Reason” Travel Insurance?

If you have experience with travel insurance sites and know what you’re looking for, all you need to do to get CFAR insurance is choose this upgrade when purchasing your plan online. However, if this is new to you, you have several options for buying your first policy. 

Begin by comparing some of the major travel insurance providers to see which one suits your needs the best. The options above all have CFAR options, so you can focus on factors like price, medical coverage, medical evacuation , baggage loss benefits , and natural disaster policies of each travel insurance provider as you shop. 

Begin by purchasing your travel insurance policy, and add the option for CFAR travel insurance during the checkout process. Paying with a debit or credit card makes this easy, but most travel insurance agencies accept many different forms of payment. Once you sign onto coverage, review your confirmation of benefits, and continue planning your next international adventure.

Is “Cancel For Any Reason” Travel Insurance Worth It?

Given the COVID-19 pandemic’s uncertain nature, travel insurance is a worthwhile investment if you want to recoup the money you’ve spent on a trip you may no longer wish to take. If you believe you may need to cancel your trip for a reason not covered under standard travel insurance policies, purchasing cancel for any reason, insurance is probably worth it. After all, the extra money you’d spend would be far less than the money you’d lose if you opted not to purchase CFAR insurance and canceled your trip for an excluded reason.

Frequently Asked Questions About “Cancel for Any Reason” Travel Insurance

When should i purchase cfar insurance.

For most travel insurance companies, the cut-off for adding on cancel for any reason insurance to your travel insurance plan is between 10 days and three weeks from the date of purchase and varies from company to company. Optimally, you should purchase the optional cancel for any reason add-on when purchasing your standard travel insurance policy.

Does Allianz offer “cancel for any reason” coverage?

No, Allianz does not offer cancel for any reason add-ons to their plans. The only exception is if you need to cancel your trip due to COVID-19-related medical complications. Trip cancellation is covered if you get sick due to the illness and your trip must be canceled or interrupted , and emergency medical care due to contraction of the virus is also covered in most cases.

Does CFAR coverage cover cancellations due to a fear of flying?

Yes. Fear of any travel — whether fear of motion sickness, ocean travel, getting sick, or flying — is included in the coverage cost of cancel for any reason insurance.

What is a good reason to cancel a trip?

Some good reasons to cancel a trip that would be covered by CFAR but may not be covered by standard insurance include the following:

• You’ve been planning a trip with a companion who no longer wishes to go with you, but you don’t wish to travel alone. 
• You have a sick family member or sick pet you must tend to.
• You’ve seen disturbing news stories about your destination, and you no longer feel comfortable traveling there.
• You discover you don’t like your destination’s COVID protocols.
• You develop a fear of travel.

My credit card offers travel insurance. Should I still get CFAR insurance?

Most credit card travel insurance benefits do not include CFAR coverage. You should get CFAR coverage if being able to cancel your trip for any reason gives greater peace of mind than you can get with standard travel insurance.

How We Rated Travel Insurance Providers

• A 30-year-old couple taking a $5,000 vacation to Mexico.
• A family of four taking an $8,000 vacation to Mexico.
• A 65-year-old couple taking a $7,000 vacation to the United Kingdom.
• A 30-year-old couple taking a $7,000 trip to the United Kingdom.
• A 19-year-old taking a $2,000 trip to France.
• A 27-year-old couple taking a $1,200 trip to Greece.
• A 51-year-old couple taking a $2,000 trip to Spain.
• Plan availability (10%): We look for insurers with a variety of travel insurance plans and the ability to customize a policy with coverage upgrades.
• Coverage details (29%): We review the baseline coverage each company offers in its cheapest comprehensive plan. A provider with robust coverage earns full points, including baggage delay and loss, COVID-19 coverage, emergency evacuation and medical coverage, trip delay and cancellation coverage, and more. Companies also receive points for offering a variety of policy add-ons like accidental death and dismemberment, extreme sports, valuable items, cancel for any reason coverage and more.
• Coverage times and amounts (34%): We compare each company’s waiting periods and maximum reimbursement amounts for baggage, travel and weather delays. Companies that offer customers reimbursement after fewer than 12 hours of delays earn full points in this category. We also reward travel insurance providers that cover more than 100% of trip costs in the event of cancellations or interruptions.
• Company service and reviews (17%): We look for indicators that a company is well-prepared to respond to customer needs. Companies with an established global resource network, 24/7 emergency hotline, mobile app, multiple ways to file a claim and concierge services score higher in this category. We assess reputation by evaluating consumer reviews, third-party financial strength and customer experience ratings, specifically from AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

For more information, read our full travel insurance methodology.

A.M. Best Disclaimer

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• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
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• View all personal finance
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• Small business guide
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Best Travel Insurance That Includes Cancel For Any Reason Coverage

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 .

So you’re organizing a trip and you’re interested in purchasing travel insurance. That makes sense — making plans these days can be pretty stressful. This is one reason that Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance is so popular.

As the name implies, CFAR allows you to cancel your plans without specifying a covered reason. 

We looked at the top Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance companies, comparing their coverage and pricing to find out which was the best. Here’s our shortlist of best options:

Battleface . 

USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services . 

Seven Corners .

John Hancock .

Travel Insured International . 

Factors we considered when picking best Cancel For Any Reason insurance companies

We used these factors when choosing best companies for Cancel For Any Reason insurance:

Types of coverage. Including CFAR, trip delay , baggage loss and emergency medical .

Amount of coverage. Including reimbursements for claims. 

Total cost. We checked out the price for each plan compared to what you’ll receive.

Usability . What’s the point in purchasing an insurance plan if you cannot use it? We considered user-friendly websites. 

Customizability. We scoured what add-ons were available, such as rental car insurance or sports equipment loss.

An overview of the best Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance

We searched for quotes using Squaremouth for a 46-year-old Texas resident traveling to France for two weeks with a total trip cost of $10,000, including airfare. 

When filtering for those providers that offered a Cancel For Any Reason add-on, our list of eligible insurance plans dropped from 103 down to 27. 

Note that to purchase Cancel For Any Reason insurance, you’ll need to do so reasonably quickly after putting down your first deposit for your trip. The window to purchase is an average of 14 days after initial purchase, though some plans offer up to three weeks. 

The average cost for these basic plans came out to about $635, but there’s a wide variety of coverage levels. 

Top Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance options

Here’s a breakdown of the different insurance companies and why they stood out among the best. Note that these plans offer 75% of your total costs back if you cancel your trip. 

What makes Battleface a top choice for CFAR insurance:

Absolute cheapest CFAR insurance option. 

Also solid second-cheapest plan — the Explorer Plan — includes extras such as trip interruption, emergency medical and travel delay reimbursement.

The Battleface Explorer Plan offers terrific baggage loss, missed connection and travel delay insurance. 

For our test trip, two of Battleface’s plans came out significantly cheaper than all the others. The Discovery plan lacked much of anything but CFAR coverage, which is still a decent offering considering it’s just $285.03 and you’ll still receive 75% of your trip costs refunded if you cancel. 

What makes GoReady a top choice for CFAR insurance:

Less expensive than average. 

Reimburses 150% of expenses in the event of a trip interruption. 

Includes financial default coverage.

Offers $50,000 in primary medical insurance.

Our third-best option is GoReady, whose $603 offering is expensive but still costs less than average. With 150% for trip interruption, primary emergency medical and a $50 deductible for care, the GoReady plan offers comprehensive coverage for nearly any situation. 

What makes Tin Leg a top choice for CFAR insurance:

Employment layoff is covered if employed for three years.

$500,000 in primary emergency medical. 

$500,000 for medical evacuation and repatriation 

Tin Leg stands out for its massive medical budget. Although some of its coverage isn’t as good as others, it makes up for it with a combined million dollars in emergency medical and evacuation. 

USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services

What makes USI a top choice for CFAR insurance:

No medical deductible.

$250,000 in primary emergency medical. 

Includes $15,000 for 24-hour accidental death and dismemberment coverage. 

Pre-existing conditions covered.

This plan from USI doesn’t have a single standout feature; instead, it’s a well-rounded plan that provides coverage across a wide range of scenarios, including mandatory evacuations, terrorism and travel delays. 

Seven Corners

What makes Seven Corners a top choice for CFAR insurance:

Hurricane warnings covered. 

Employer layoff, if employed for one year.

$500 per person for baggage delay after 6 hours.

Seven Corners’ RoundTrip Basic plan is reasonably costly at $768.22 for the trip, but you’ll receive better-than-average coverage.

This includes reimbursement if you get laid off after working somewhere for just one year — other companies have a three-year minimum. 

John Hancock

What makes John Hancock a top choice for CFAR insurance:

$1,000 per person for baggage loss; $1,000 specific item limit.

$750 for missed connection after a three-hour delay. 

$750 for travel delay after a three-hour delay.

$100,000 for 24-hour AD&D. 

John Hancock’s best feature is its reimbursement for travel woes. If you’re delayed, your bags are lost or you end up missing a connection, John Hancock’s plan offers some of the highest coverage around.

And unlike other companies, it doesn’t limit missed connection reimbursements to cruises or tours only. 

Travel Insured International 

What makes Travel Insured International a top choice for CFAR insurance:

$1,000,000 for medical evacuation and repatriation. 

$150,000 for non-medical evacuation. 

$1,500 for travel delay after three hours. 

$500 for baggage delay after three hours.

As our most expensive option, Travel Insured International may be a hard sell. This is especially true if you’re looking for basic CFAR coverage.

However, it’s worth researching as the plan includes high-dollar reimbursements after very short delays, such as $1,500 for a three-hour travel delay. 

More resources for travel insurance shoppers

Take a look at these other resources if you’re trying to decide when and where to purchase travel insurance. 

Is Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance worth it?

What is travel insurance?

10 credit cards that provide travel insurance .

How to find the best travel insurance .

Trip cancellation insurance explained .

Is travel insurance worth it?

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.

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American Express® Trip Cancel Guard™

Book with optimism., cancel with confidence..

With Trip Cancel Guard, you can cancel your flight for any reason up to 2 full calendar days before departure and receive up to 75% reimbursement when an airline credit or voucher is not available or expires. Available exclusively with flights booked on AmexTravel.com.

Please review the FAQs below to learn more.

Purchase and Use Trip Cancel Guard in 3 easy steps ✝ :

1. Purchase Your Trip and Trip Cancel Guard 

Purchase Trip Cancel Guard when booking an eligible flight itinerary through AmexTravel.com

2.  If You Cancel Your Trip

Contact your airline or American Express Travel® to cancel your flight for any reason at least two calendar days before your departure date

3. Make A Request for Reimbursement 

Once your trip is cancelled, submit a request online through the Digital Claims Center* or by phone and you may receive up to 75% reimbursement of nonrefundable flight costs

✝ Illustration only

Watch To Learn More

Terms apply. click here for terms and conditions..

QUICK FACTS:

Available for purchase with all US American Express® Cards

 Cancel for any reason you choose at least 2 days before departure

Up to 75% reimbursement with a convenient digital process*

*Currently available for American Express Card Members only

American Express® Trip Cancel Guard™

The flexibility to change your mind.

There are some things you just can't plan for. Luckily, there's Trip Cancel Guard.

HOW IT WORKS:

Add Trip Cancel Guard and get up to 75% reimbursement if you cancel your eligible flight at least two full calendar days before. Available exclusively through AmexTravel.com at the time of booking. 

Trip Cancel Guard is in effect until you cancel your benefit, submit a request for reimbursement on a canceled flight, or you reach your benefit end date. This benefit applies only before your trip starts and does not offer coverage during your trip or return flight.   If you want to update or change your trip, you must call the Benefit Administrator to determine if the benefit can be applied to your updated itinerary.   If you get a travel credit or airline voucher for your cancelled trip, Trip Cancel Guard can provide reimbursement once the credit or voucher has expired or is forfeited by its own terms and conditions. 

Trip Cancel Guard is not insurance and may be purchased in addition to any other travel insurance.

Click here for Terms & Conditions 

Ready to book your travel?

Purchase Trip Cancel Guard when booking an eligible flight itinerary through AmexTravel.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Trip Cancel Guard?

Trip Cancel Guard is an optional add-on benefit available for certain travel itineraries booked through American Express TRS that allows You to receive reimbursement when You cancel Your trip for any reason at least two (2) full calendar days before Your Departure Date and before the Benefit End Date, as defined by the benefit terms & conditions. You may receive reimbursement of up to the amount stated on Your Schedule of Benefits, which is up to 75% of Your Nonrefundable Prepaid Expenses. This benefit is a cancellation fee waiver and is not an insurance product .

When do I need to cancel my trip Itinerary by to be eligible for Trip Cancel Guard reimbursement?

You must cancel Your trip with American Express TRS or Your airline carrier prior to the restricted period, which includes the 2 full calendar days before Your original scheduled Departure Date. The Benefit End Date is the date by which You need to cancel before 11:59 PM in order to be eligible for benefits and is listed on Your Schedule of Benefits. Below are illustrative examples of eligible and non-eligible trip cancellation:

• This cancellation meets eligibility requirements
• This cancellation does not meet eligibility requirements. July 13th is one of the 2 full calendar days prior to the trip Departure Date

Can I purchase Trip Cancel Guard in addition to Travel Insurance?

Yes! You may purchase Trip Cancel Guard in addition to any other travel insurance. Trip Cancel Guard will provide reimbursement if You decide to cancel Your trip for any reason at least two (2) full calendar days before Your Departure Date and before the Benefit End Date, as defined by the benefit terms & conditions. Please review Your travel insurance policy details for the specific reasons that trip cancellation insurance coverage is different from Trip Cancel Guard and whether You are eligible for benefits under one or both. 

Will I receive reimbursement from Trip Cancel Guard if I receive a travel credit or voucher for my cancelled trip?

If You have purchased Trip Cancel Guard and receive a travel credit or airline voucher for Your cancelled itinerary, Your eligibility for reimbursement from Trip Cancel Guard may be delayed until the credit or voucher expires or is forfeited by its own terms and conditions. If the credit or voucher expires or is forfeited, You may reopen Your request for benefit.

If You are charged and pay an additional penalty fee due to cancellation to receive or use a travel credit or voucher provided for Your cancelled itinerary, You may make a request to receive reimbursement for those penalty fees charged and paid due to cancellation, regardless of credit or voucher status or when fee is charged.

Cancellation fees charged by airlines may go by different names, but only fees that were charged and paid directly as a result of trip cancellation will be eligible for reimbursement.  

Am I eligible to receive this benefit for itineraries purchased with frequent flyer points or other travel credits?

This benefit is available for itineraries paid with American Express Membership Rewards® points only when used through the Pay with Points Program. This benefit is not available, however, for travel purchased with travel award credits such as loyalty points, vouchers, credits, coupons or similar programs offered by travel suppliers including airlines or American Express Travel & Lifestyle Services. Additionally, this benefit is not available for travel purchased with travel supplier credits obtained by exchanging American Express Membership Rewards points for those travel supplier credits.

Can I add Trip Cancel Guard to an existing itinerary?

No, this benefit may only be purchased at the time of booking the itinerary and cannot be added after the booking is completed.

If I experience a website error, can I call in to purchase Trip Cancel Guard?

If You are experiencing a website error, please check back later as the Trip Cancel Guard is not available for purchase offline.

What if I change my original flight itinerary after the purchase date?

If You change Your original flight itinerary, it is Your responsibility to call the Benefit Administrator  as soon as possible to determine if Your enrollment in this benefit can be reissued. Please note, Trip Cancel Guard only applies to the one original Eligible Trip Itinerary unless the Benefit Administrator is able to reissue the benefit for an updated itinerary. In some cases, the Benefit Administrator may be able to reissue Your benefit for Your updated itinerary. If the Benefit Administrator is not able to reissue Your benefit OR You do not contact the Benefit Administrator, reimbursement may only be provided based on the original amount as stated in Your original Schedule of Benefits. Please see below for illustrative, non-exhaustive examples of itinerary changes:

Benefit Administrators may be able to amend Your benefit for flight-related changes, like: ·     Upgrade seat or fare class ·     Change in trip Departure Date ·     Change in trip length ·     Adding additional travelers (Eligible Beneficiaries) ·     Added WiFi, seat selection, or specialty meal

Trip Cancel Guard only applies to flight-related purchases. Therefore, Benefit Administrators cannot amend Your benefit  to include newly added itinerary components or costs, like:

·     Add on hotel to itinerary ·     Add on car rental to itinerary ·     Add on cruise to itinerary ·     Add on tour package or excursion to itinerary ·     Add on train to itinerary

Is Trip Cancel Guard available for purchase in all states?

Yes, Trip Cancel Guard is available for purchase in all fifty (50) US States and US territories. American Express reserves the right to limit purchase of Trip Cancel Guard at any time.  

Is Trip Cancel Guard available for all itineraries?

No, Trip Cancel Guard is not available for all itineraries. Currently, Trip Cancel Guard is only available for stand-alone airfare purchases made on AmexTravel.com and does not include packaged travel purchases such as flight + hotel, cruise and/or car rentals. Other factors such as the total trip cost may impact the availability of the benefit for Your itinerary. American Express also reserves the right to limit purchase of Trip Cancel Guard at any time.

When does the Trip Cancel Guard benefit end?

The Trip Cancel Guard benefit is in effect unless You cancel Your benefit, or until You or Eligible Beneficiary(ies) submit a request for reimbursement on a cancelled flight, or You reach Your Benefit End Date. The Trip Cancel Guard benefit does not apply during travel or to travel interruptions or return flights. 

How is the price of Trip Cancel Guard calculated?

The fee for Trip Cancel Guard is a percentage of the total flight cost, inclusive of taxes and fees.

Learn more about other American Express Travel Protections and Benefits.

Benefit Overview and Eligible Cards

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American Express Travel Insurance

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Premium Car Rental Protection

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Terms and Conditions

American Express® Trip Cancel Guard TM

Cancellation Fee Waiver

Terms & Conditions

Revised May 2022

The American Express Trip Cancel Guard is an optional benefit enabling Eligible Beneficiaries to receive partial reimbursement for Eligible Trip Itineraries purchased through American Express TRS that are cancelled for any reason at least 2 full calendar days before the Departure Date and before the Benefit End Date . This benefit is a cancellation fee waiver and is not an insurance product. Trip Cancel Guard is only available for purchase through American Express TRS at the time of the Eligible Trip Itinerary booking. With this benefit, the Eligible Beneficiaries may receive reimbursement for up to 75% of Nonrefundable Prepaid Expenses listed on the Eligible Trip Itinerary purchased through American Express TRS  as stated on Your Schedule of Benefits . Reimbursement is subject to requirements and restrictions.

Trip Cancellation and Reimbursement Process

Eligible Trip Itinerary Cancellation 1. You may cancel all or part of Your Eligible Trip Itinerary and may receive reimbursement for up to the amount stated on Your Schedule of Benefits , subject to the notice and timing requirements of this benefit. You may also cancel itineraries for each Eligible Beneficiary listed on the Eligible Trip Itinerary . 2. In order to be eligible for this benefit, You must cancel your Eligible Trip Itinerary with TLS or the airline carrier before your Benefit End Date . • If You cancel Your trip after Your Benefit End Date during the two (2) full day restricted period before Your Departure Date, You will no longer be eligible to make a Request for Reimbursement. If You are no longer eligible to make a Request for Reimbursement , any trip cancellation penalties or lost Nonrefundable Prepaid Expenses are not eligible for reimbursement under American Express Trip Cancel Guard. Eligible Trip Itinerary Request for Reimbursement 1. You may complete a Request for Reimbursement at www.americanexpress.com/protectionbenefits or by calling the Benefit Administrator at 1-800-228-6855. The Benefit Administrator must be notified no more than thirty (30) days after trip cancellation, or as soon as reasonably possible. 2. The Benefit Administrator will review the Request for Reimbursement and may request additional materials from You to support the Request for Reimbursement . Additional information must be submitted no more than sixty (60) days from the time of request, or as soon as reasonably possible. • In order for the Benefit Administrato r to evaluate a Request for Reimbursement , You must cooperate by providing any requested documents or statements that determine the amount of Nonrefundable Prepaid Expenses and whether the Eligible Trip Itinerary cancellation is eligible for reimbursement by another benefit or plan. 3. If a Request for Reimbursement is approved by the Benefit Administrator , reimbursement will be paid directly and separately to each of the Eligible Beneficiaries included in the Request for Reimbursement at the address provided for each Eligible Beneficiary in the Request for Reimbursemen t. • If You receive a travel voucher and/or credit from Your travel supplier, Your Request for Reimbursement  may not be eligible for reimbursement until the travel voucher and/or credit is forfeited or has expired. You may contact the Benefit Administrator  to reopen the Request for Reimbursement  once Your  travel voucher and/or credit is forfeited or has expired. • Any amount payable to a minor will be paid to a guardian of that minor

Benefit Communication

General Administration We will communicate directly with the purchaser of this benefit on behalf of all Eligible Beneficiaries , unless We are told to communicate directly with any Eligible Beneficiary by that Eligible Beneficiary . Request for Reimbursement When completing a Request for Reimbursement , an individual may indicate that they are authorized to provide the address and contact information for other Eligible Beneficiaries listed in the Schedule of Benefits , in which case we will communicate with those Eligible Beneficiaries unless directed otherwise. Benefit Cancellation The purchaser of this benefit may cancel for a full refund of the fees paid for Trip Cancel Guard within fourteen (14) calendar days after the date of purchase. The purchaser of this benefit will not be eligible for a refund of fees paid if: • You have cancelled Your Eligible Trip Itinerary and made a Request for Reimbursement during this period OR • The request for refund occurs after the Benefit End Date stated on Your Schedule of Benefits To request a refund of the fees paid for Trip Cancel Guard, please call the Benefit Administrator at 1-800-228- 6855.

What do the Defined Terms mean?

Capitalized and Bolded terms have the meanings set forth below. The singular includes the plural and the plural includes the singular, as the context requires. The singular includes the possessive, as the context requires. “Including” and any derivative form means “including but not limited to”. American Express TRS means American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. Benefit Administrator means the administrator of this benefit for American Express TRS . Benefit Effective Date means the date on which Trip Cancel Guard was purchased, as stated in Your Schedule of Benefits . Benefit End Date means 11:59 PM on the date listed on Your Schedule of Benefits at Your city of departure that is listed on Your Eligible Trip Itinerary . Departure Date means the date on which an Eligible Beneficiary is originally scheduled to depart on the Eligible Trip Itinerary . Eligible Beneficiary means any traveler listed on the Eligible Trip Itinerary and named on the Schedule of Benefits who is eligible to receive reimbursement through Trip Cancel Guard. This benefit only applies to Eligible Trip Itineraries with 10 or fewer listed travelers. Eligible Trip Itinerary or Trip means the one original itinerary containing standalone airfare only and trip ID purchased through American Express TRS’ travel website, AmexTravel.com, at the same time you purchased this optional benefit and that has no more than 10 named Eligible Beneficiaries . Nonrefundable Prepaid Expenses are: • Forfeited payments or deposits (including expired or forfeited travel credit and vouchers) • Airline cancellation or penalty fees charged to and paid by You caused by Eligible Trip Itinerary cancellation Request for Reimbursement means a request made by You to the Benefit Administrator to reimburse Eligible Beneficiaries for loss of up to 75% of Nonrefundable Prepaid Expenses linked to an Eligible Trip Itinerary that You cancel at least two (2) full calendar days before the Departure Date . You can make a request by providing notice and documentation required by the Benefit Administrator that states the amount of Nonrefundable Prepaid Expenses to be reimbursed up to the amount stated on Your Schedule of Benefits . If the purchaser of this benefit is not a traveler then they are not an Eligible Beneficiary and are not eligible to receive reimbursement. Schedule of Benefits means the summary of benefits for all Eligible Beneficiaries under Trip Cancel Guard. TLS means the American Express Travel & Lifestyle Services division of American Express TRS You means the purchaser of Trip Cancel Guard and Eligible Beneficiaries entitled to cancel all or part of an Eligible Trip Itinerary and complete a Request for Reimbursement .

Integrated Document

The terms and conditions of Trip Cancel Guard are stated in this terms and conditions document and the Schedule of Benefits . This terms and conditions document and the Schedule of Benefits , plus the Eligible Trip Itinerary are the integrated benefit contract.

American Express TRS’s Right of Recovery

If payment is made under this benefit, American Express TRS shall be subrogated, to the extent of such payment, to all rights of recovery, and any person(s) receiving payment shall not waive American Express TRS’s rights and shall cooperate to enable American Express TRS to bring suit or otherwise pursue subrogation. American Express TRS is entitled to recover any amount from other responsible parties or persons (excluding You when correctly provided benefits under Trip Cancel Guard) up to the amount of American Express TRS’s payment. Any party or person recovering such amounts from other parties or persons shall reimburse American Express TRS to the extent of American Express TRS’s payment.

Fraud Warning

If any Request for Reimbursement made under this benefit is determined to be fraudulent, or if any fraudulent means or devices are used by You or a person requesting benefits, all benefits will be forfeited.

ARBITRATION CLAUSE

MOST CONCERNS CAN BE RESOLVED QUICKLY AND TO YOUR SATISFACTION BY CALLING BENEFIT ADMINISTRATOR  AT 1-800-228-6855. IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT THAT BENEFIT ADMINISTRATOR  IS UNABLE TO RESOLVE A COMPLAINT YOU MAY HAVE TO YOUR SATISFACTION (OR IF AMERICAN EXPRESS TRS HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE A DISPUTE IT HAS WITH YOU AFTER ATTEMPTING TO DO SO INFORMALLY), YOU AND AMERICAN EXPRESS TRS EACH AGREE TO RESOLVE THOSE COMPLAINTS OR DISPUTES THROUGH BINDING ARBITRATION INSTEAD OF IN COURTS OF GENERAL JURISDICTION TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

ARBITRATION IS MORE INFORMAL THAN A LAWSUIT IN COURT. ARBITRATION USES A NEUTRAL ARBITRATOR INSTEAD OF A JUDGE OR JURY, ALLOWS FOR MORE LIMITED DISCOVERY THAN IN COURT, AND IS SUBJECT TO VERY LIMITED REVIEW BY COURTS. ARBITRATORS CAN AWARD THE SAME DAMAGES AND RELIEF THAT A COURT CAN AWARD. ANY ARBITRATION UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL TAKE PLACE ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS; CLASS ARBITRATIONS AND CLASS ACTIONS ARE NOT PERMITTED.

(a) American Express TRS and You agree to arbitrate all complaints and disputes relating to the benefit, except any complaints and disputes which under governing law are not subject to arbitration. This agreement to arbitrate (the “ Agreement ”) is intended to be broadly interpreted and to make all complaints and disputes relating to the benefit subject to arbitration to the fullest extent permitted by law. 

You agree that You and American Express TRS are each waiving the right to a trial by jury or to participate in a class action. This Agreement evidences a transaction in interstate commerce, and thus the Federal Arbitration Act governs the interpretation and enforcement of this arbitration provision. This arbitration provision shall survive termination of this Agreement . (b) A party whointends to seek arbitration must first send to the other, by certified mail, a written Notice of Dispute (" Arbitration Notice "). The Arbitration Notice to American Express TRS should be addressed to:

American Express ADR c/o CT Corporation System, 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10011

(the “ Arbitration Notice Address ”). The Arbitration Notice must describe the nature and basis of the complaint or dispute and set forth the specific relief You  seek from American Express TRS  (the “ Demand ”). Please retain a copy of the Demand for Your  records.

If American Express TRS and You do not reach an agreement to resolve the complaint or dispute within 30 days after the Arbitration Notice is received, You or American ExpressTRS  may commence an arbitration proceeding. During the arbitration, the amount of any settlement offer made by American Express TRS or You shall not be disclosed to the arbitrator until after the arbitrator determines the amount, if any, to which You or American Express TRS is entitled. (c) After American Express TRS receives notice at the Arbitration Notice Address that You have commenced arbitration, it will promptly reimburse You for Your payment of the filing fee. If You are unable to pay this fee, American Express TRS will pay it directly upon receiving a written request at the Arbitration Notice Address . Arbitration may be referred to either JAMS (1-800-352-5267, jamsadr.com) or the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) (1-800-778-7879, www.adr.org), as selected by the party electing arbitration. Complaints and disputes will be resolved pursuant to this Arbitration provision and the selected organization's rules in effect when the complaint or dispute is filed, except where those rules conflict with this Agreement . If we choose the organization, You may select the other within 30 days after receiving notice of our selection. Contact JAMS or AAA to begin an arbitration or for other information.

The arbitrator shall be bound by the terms of this Agreement . The arbitrator shall have the power and authority to award any relief that would have been available in court, including equitable relief (e.g., injunction, specific performance) and, cumulative with all other remedies, shall grant specific performance whenever possible. The arbitrator shall have no power or authority to alter the Agreement or any of its separate provisions, including this section, nor to determine any matter or make any award except as provided in this section. Unless American Express TRS and You agree otherwise, any arbitration hearings will take place in the county (or parish) of Your billing address. If Your complaint is for $10,000 or less, we agree that You may choose whether the arbitration will be conducted solely on the basis of documents submitted to the arbitrator, through a telephonic hearing, or by an in-person hearing as established by the selected organization’s rules. If Your complaint exceeds $10,000, the right to a hearing will be determined by the selected organization’s rules. Except as otherwise provided for herein, American Express TRS will pay all of selected organization’s filing fees, however, the parties will be equally responsible for any administration and arbitrator fees for any arbitration initiated in accordance with the notice requirements above. If, however, the arbitrator finds that either the substance of Your complaint or dispute or the relief sought in the Arbitration Demand is frivolous or brought for an improper purpose (as measured by the standards set forth in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11(b)), then the payment of all such fees will be governed by the selected organization’s rules. In such case, You agree to reimburse American Express TRS for all monies previously disbursed by it that are otherwise Your obligation to pay under the AAA Rules. (d) The arbitrator may make rulings and resolve complaints and disputes as to the payment and reimbursement of fees and expenses at any time during the proceeding or in the final award, pursuant to applicable law and the selected organization’s rules. 

(e) Discovery and/or the exchange of non-privileged information relevant to the complaint or dispute will be governed by the selected organization’s rules. (f) YOU , AND AMERICAN EXPRESSTRS  AGREE THAT EACH MAY BRING COMPLAINTS OR DISPUTES AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN YOUR OR ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING. Further, unless both You  and American Express TRS agree otherwise, the arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person's claims and may not otherwise preside over any form of a representative or class proceeding. The arbitrator may award injunctive relief only in favor of the individual party seeking relief and only to the extent necessary to provide relief warranted by that party's individual claim. If this specific subparagraph (f) is found to be unenforceable, then the entirety of this arbitration provision shall be null and void.

American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. is acting solely as a sales agent for travel suppliers and is not responsible for the actions or inactions of such suppliers. Certain suppliers pay us commission and other incentives for reaching sales targets or other goals and may provide incentives to our Travel Consultants. For more information visit www.americanexpress.com/travelterms.

California CST#1022318; Washington UBI#600-469-694

American Express adds new 'cancel for any reason' coverage option on flights

If you aren't familiar with " Cancel For Any Reason " coverage, you should be. This supplement to travel insurance policies allows you to cancel a trip for nearly any reason, and as long as you follow the terms, you will be able to get a refund for a large portion of your prepaid expenses.

American Express is now adding an optional service called Trip Cancel Guard, which you can purchase when booking flights through Amex Travel. With this new benefit, you can cancel flights prior to departure and request a refund.

However, there are some key details you should know about to help you evaluate whether this is a worthwhile addition to your booking.

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What is Trip Cancel Guard?

Trip Cancel Guard is a new offering from American Express that functions similarly to "cancel for any reason" coverage. However, it is not insurance. In fact, you can purchase this and travel insurance to cover your trip in different ways.

When purchased, Trip Cancel Guard provides reimbursement of up to 75% of your nonrefundable flights costs booked on AmexTravel.com — as long as you cancel at least two calendar days before your departure date.

This option is available when paying with any American Express card issued in the U.S. and must be added at the time of booking on AmexTravel.com. It's not available later as an addition to your flights and can't be purchased over the phone.

How does it work?

Trip Cancel Guard is in effect from the time you purchase it until one of three things happens:

• You cancel your benefit.
• You submit a reimbursement request for a canceled flight.
• You reach the end date for your benefit (within two calendar days of your departure date).

The benefit provides up to 75% reimbursement on nonrefundable, prepaid airfare.

Note that receiving a voucher or similar credits from the airline when canceling your flight(s) means Trip Cancel Guard can provide reimbursement once the credit or voucher has expired or is forfeited by its own terms and conditions. You cannot receive a voucher and reimbursement when the combination would exceed your maximum coverage.

How much does it cost?

Since this is a paid benefit, let's talk about costs.

Trip Cancel Guard is priced based on the cost of your flights. The cost is 8% of the total ticket price, including all taxes and fees.

If your flight costs $1,000, then the cost of adding Trip Cancel Guard is $80. For a $500 flight, the cost is $40.

This actually compares rather favorably to traditional "cancel-for-any-reason" coverage, which is typically a supplement added to a comprehensive travel insurance policy. For starters, you'd need to purchase the comprehensive policy (which can be 4-10% of the total cost of the trip) and then add the CFAR supplement. This could add another 40-60% on to the premium.

However, Trip Cancel Guard is also more limited coverage than adding CFAR protection to a comprehensive travel insurance policy.

Key terms you should know about

First, you need to add this benefit and pay for it at the time of booking a flight at AmexTravel.com. You can't add it later or add it when booking on the phone.

Moreover, this benefit is only available on flight bookings. You can't add it to flight-plus-hotel or other combination packages, and your flight must cost $300 or more to be eligible.

You can add Trip Cancel Guard when booking and paying with an American Express card issued in the U.S. It's also available if you pay with Membership Rewards points in the Pay with Points program . However, if you transfer your points to one of the Membership Rewards transfer partners , Trip Cancel Guard isn't available on those flight bookings.

Should you use this new option?

When it comes to any form of travel insurance, everyone's situation is unique. If you want extra peace of mind when booking nonrefundable flights through Amex Travel, this new offering could make sense.

However, it's worth noting that many airlines no longer impose change or cancellation fees on most tickets. If you cancel a ticket, you'll generally receive a voucher or future flight credit for the full amount of your initial flight. The 75% reimbursement through Amex's Trip Cancel Guard will only kick in if that voucher ultimately expires.

That said, if you're considering a restrictive basic economy ticket that wouldn't otherwise allow for penalty-free cancellations, this add-on could be a great option.

Bottom line

I book a lot of flights on AmexTravel.com. Given that I'm trying to see every country in the world, I wind up on a lot of smaller, regional airlines that don't have transfer partners I can use for free flights. Thus, I book with Amex Travel. Having the option to add the ability to cancel for any reason is fantastic.

You can be reimbursed for up to 75% of the cost of your flights, which isn't perfect. However, given that there's still a lot of uncertainty in international travel right now, getting something back is much better than nothing. If you follow the terms for when to add the benefit and the deadline for canceling your flights, this new perk can be very useful.

Just be sure to carefully consider the type of ticket you're purchasing through Amex Travel, as a fee-free cancellation with a future voucher could be enough flexibility for your situation.

My trip to Iraq was canceled. Why can't I get a $7,590 refund for my canceled tour?

When Diane Gottlieb’s tour of Iraq is canceled, the tour operator offers her a voucher for a future trip. She wants a refund for her canceled tour. Can she get her $7,590 back?

I paid $7,590 for a Modern Mesopotamia tour to Iraq through MIR Corporation for last fall. l also purchased insurance from AIG Travel Guard at a cost of $766, which offered 100 percent coverage for trip interruption or cancellation. 

In October, just 14 days before the trip was supposed to start, I received a letter from MIR Corporation that they were canceling the trip because the U.S. government raised the security risks. 

They offered a voucher only good for a trip to Iraq in the next two years if there was any travel allowed to Iraq. It’s a worthless voucher. 

I filed a claim with AIG Travel Guard, but it denied my claim. I also disputed the charge on my credit card, but my credit card company sided with MIR Corporation. 

I’m very frustrated by this and hope that you might be able to help recover this money, which is a great amount for me. Thank you for your consideration. — Diane Gottlieb , Chicago

It doesn’t seem fair for a tour operator to be able to cancel a trip and not offer a refund. But the terms of your tour say otherwise: They allow MIR Corporation to keep your money and issue a voucher for a future tour. Which is exactly what they did.

Let’s break this one down. MIR Corporation specializes in tours of “under-explored” destinations (those are its words) like Mongolia, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan. The paper trail between you and the company shows that it warned you of the risks of traveling to Iraq and urged you to buy travel insurance. It also clearly disclosed its terms, which were that it offers an expiring voucher when it cancels a tour.

A representative explained the reason why MIR Corporation has that policy. The tour operator had already paid its vendors and could not get a refund. But the arrangements between a tour operator and its vendors are none of your concern. The only thing that matters is the agreement you have with the tour operator.

MIR Corporation did the right thing by recommending travel insurance. But the policy you bought through AIG Travel Guard, which MIR Corporation helped facilitate, did not cover a cancellation by the tour operator. You could have bought a “cancel for any reason” policy, which, although considerably more expensive, would have given you a refund of between 50 percent and 75 percent of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs.

MIR Corporation also did the right thing by canceling. The State Department had issued a warning against travel to Iraq. You wouldn’t want to be there during an armed conflict.

How to get a refund for your canceled tour

Can you get a refund for a canceled tour even if the contract says otherwise? Perhaps. Here are a few strategies:

Study the terms and conditions of your tour

It’s extra important to understand the terms and conditions of your tour operator’s refund policy (so important that I may say it again in this story). Some tour operators may offer full refunds for cancellations made within a certain timeframe. Others may charge penalties or fees for late cancellations. Review the contract carefully. Look for any possible exceptions that you may invoke, such as a State Department warning or a war.

Make sure you have a paper trail

Gather all necessary documentation to support your refund request. Sometimes, a representative will promise you a refund outside of the normal refund policy, which is helpful to your case. Include all booking confirmations, proof of payments, and any correspondence with your tour operator. Remember, some tour operators require additional information, such as a doctor’s note or evidence of a family emergency, to justify a cancellation and refund.

Follow the method

Be patient, persistent and polite — the core tenets of the Elliott Method . It may take some time for your tour operator to process your refund, but if you have a solid case, you will get your money back.

Don’t give up

You may be protected by state laws or can seek help from the Attorney General’s office. Of course, my advocacy team an I are ready to help you .

Remember: Always read the fine print

Your case is a reminder to always read the contract when you sign up for a tour, or any other travel product for that matter. It’s also a reminder to read the fine print in your travel insurance. Your policy did not offer “100 percent coverage” for a cancellation, as you stated. Rather, it was a policy with named exclusion that did not include a cancellation for security concerns.

But there were special circumstances. MIR Corporation’s voucher had to be used within two years and was only valid on its Iraq tours. At the time you contacted me, it didn’t look like there would be tours to Iraq for a while, so there was a good chance your voucher would expire before you could use it. Also, you are 78 years old, and you suggested that you might not feel up to a tour of Iraq within the next two years.

You reached out to my advocacy team for help, and I contacted MIR Corporation on your behalf. The company agreed to offer a credit to any of its destinations for two years, and you accepted its offer.

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Average Cost of Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance

Factors influencing cost, top insurance companies for cancel for any reason travel insurance, how to save money on cancel for any reason travel insurance, the bottom line.

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How Much Is Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance?

Find out how much CFAR travel insurance costs and where to buy a policy

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The average quoted cost of a cancel for any reason (CFAR) travel insurance policy across eight top travel insurance companies is about $223 for a 28-year-old taking a $3,500 trip. However, costs vary depending on your age and the total cost of the trip you’re looking to cover.

While CFAR insurance tends to cost more than traditional travel insurance , and it doesn't cover the full cost of your trip, it can be worth it in some scenarios. We’ll cover how costs are determined, notable companies to consider, and ways to save. With the right coverage, you’ll be able to embark on your journey with confidence. 

Key Takeaways

• A cancel for any reason (CFAR) travel insurance policy is an add-on to a standard travel insurance policy.
• With cancel for any reason (CFAR), your trip is covered should you need to cancel for a reason beyond what a standard policy covers.
• The cost of a cancel for any reason policy can vary based on factors such as age or total cost of the trip.
• The cost of an average policy across eight major travel insurance companies is around $223 for a 28-year old spending $3500 on a trip.

We collected quotes from eight top-scoring travel insurance companies based on a 28-year-old taking a 10-day trip from Florida to Costa Rica with a trip cost of $3,500. Premiums were rounded to the nearest dollar. 

Though some companies are more expensive than others, be aware that coverage limits and benefits are not the same across companies. Aim to find the best value for the coverage you need, not the cheapest overall policy. Furthermore, since premiums can vary by age and trip cost, getting a few individual quotes from top companies can help you find a competitive rate. 

The cost of cancel for any reason trip insurance varies widely from one trip to the next. However, there are only a few factors that influence your premiums, and your trip destination isn’t one of them. Here’s how travel insurance companies determine your rates. 

Age of Travelers

As you grow older, your risk of serious health problems increases, which makes you a greater risk to insure. Young people tend to pay lower rates for trip cancellation insurance than older folks. However, seniors can still find affordable travel insurance . Every company weighs your age a little differently, so you’ll want to compare quotes. 

The total cost of your trip affects the amount insurance companies will have to pay if you file a claim. So, a $25,000 luxury vacation will cost significantly more to insure than a $2,500 budget trip. Unlike traditional trip cancellation coverage, though, cancel for any reason insurance typically covers only a percentage of the entire trip cost.  

Coverage Choices

Many insurance companies offer multiple plans that come with different coverage limits and benefits. If your trip is risky or your destination is remote, you may want to opt for higher limits, especially for emergency medical evacuation. Also consider whether you want travel delay coverage, baggage loss coverage, rental property damage coverage, or other types of protection. Some policies may include these benefits; others may not. 

Travel Guard by AIG

Travel Guard offers up to $100,000 in medical coverage, $2,500 in baggage loss and damage coverage, and a maximum of $1 million in medical evacuation coverage. The company includes kids in the coverage at no charge and offers coverage for adventure sports and pet medical as well. AIG has an A (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best . However, when you add cancel for any reason coverage, your trip is only reimbursed up to 50%, and premiums are higher than other companies. 

USI Affinity

USI Affinity offers up to 75% reimbursement when you opt to cancel coverage for any reason, with up to $250,000 in medical coverage, $2,500 for lost or damaged baggage, and up to $1 million in medical evacuation coverage. Coverage is primary, and the company offers some of the lowest premiums of the providers we reviewed. USI Affinity has an A (Excellent) financial strength rating with AM Best. 

Tin Leg offers great value with relatively low premiums and high coverage limits. The most comprehensive policy includes $500,000 in medical coverage, $2,500 in baggage coverage, and $1 million in medical evacuation coverage. The company offers adventure sports coverage as well. The maximum reimbursement for cancel for any reason coverage is 75%. Tin Leg travel insurance is underwritten by financially strong companies with at least an A- (Excellent) AM Best rating. 

World Trips

World Trips offers relatively low premiums, but you can only get up to $150,000 in medical coverage and $2,000 in baggage loss or damage coverage. The most comprehensive policy offers $1 million in medical evacuation coverage. World Trips also includes kids in the coverage at no charge and reimburses 75% of your trip cost when you cancel for any reason. The company has an A (Excellent) financial strength rating with AM Best. 

Trawick International

Trawick offers up to $3,000 in travel delay coverage, more than most companies, and up to 75% reimbursement when you cancel for any reason. Policies cover up to $250,000 in medical insurance, $2,500 in baggage coverage, and $1 million in medical evacuation. The company’s underwriters are highly rated for financial strength by AM Best, with at least an A (Excellent) financial strength grade.

Seven Corners

Seven Corners offers relatively low premiums for up to $500,000 in medical coverage. The most comprehensive policy also offers $2,500 in baggage coverage and $1 million in medical evacuation coverage. You can get up to $2,000 for travel delay and up to 75% reimbursement if you cancel for any reason. Seven Corners has an A (Excellent) financial strength rating with AM Best. However, the company does not offer adventure sports coverage.

Allianz Travel Insurance 

Allianz offers an epidemic endorsement and provides an 80% reimbursement when you cancel for any reason, which is significantly high compared to other insurers in our review. Kids are included at no cost. However, the company only offers up to $75,000 in medical coverage, $1,600 in travel delay coverage, and $2,000 in baggage coverage, and premiums are relatively high. The most comprehensive policy offers $1 million in medical evacuation coverage. Allianz is underwritten by financially strong companies with at least an A (Excellent) AM Best rating. 

HTH Travel Insurance

HTH offers up to $500,000 in medical coverage and will reimburse 75% of your trip cost if you cancel for any reason, but the company only offers one plan, and it’s not ideal for budget travelers due to the high premium. The company also may not be adequate for high-priced luxury vacations since the maximum reimbursement amount is $50,000. Coverage is secondary. Adventure sports coverage is available, and the plan provides up to $1 million in medical evacuation coverage, $2,000 for trip delays, and $2,000 for lost or damaged baggage. HTH boasts an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating with AM Best. 

You may want to just consider not buying the cancel for any reason add-on, especially if your overall trip costs are low. But if you have concerns that may require you to cancel your trip for uncovered reasons, there are still a few ways you can save. 

• Compare quotes: Cancel for any reason trip insurance premiums vary by provider, so compare quotes to find the coverage you need at a low cost. It’s easy to collect quotes directly from each insurance company’s website.
• Only buy the coverage you need: Avoid adding unnecessary endorsements, and choose a plan that offers the coverage you need and nothing extra. 
• Buy a multi-trip plan: Some companies offer multi-trip plans or annual plans, so if you’ll be taking multiple trips within a year, consider these options. You may be able to save money on the cost per trip. 

What Is Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance?

Cancel for any reason (CFAR) travel insurance allows you to receive partial reimbursement (or full, in rare cases) if you cancel a trip for any reason not specifically covered under the policy a few days before departure. While most trip insurance plans cover events like unforeseen illness or natural disasters, they won’t cover certain scenarios, such as if you have work obligations or you change your mind about wanting to travel because of a fear of flying. Cancel for any reason trip insurance provides coverage in those situations.

What Does Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance Cover?

As the name implies, cancel for any reason (CFAR) travel insurance covers trip cancellation for any reason, but it has some limits. You’ll typically need to cover the entire trip cost within 10 to 21 days of the initial payment, and you must cancel 48 to 72 hours before departure to receive reimbursement, depending on the plan. Most CFAR travel insurance policies will only reimburse you for 50% to 75% of your trip cost when you cancel for an uncovered reason.

Do I Need Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance?

Cancel for any reason trip insurance isn’t necessary, but you may want to purchase the coverage if you’re worried about:

• Potentially unsafe conditions at your destination, like a rise in COVID cases or civil unrest
• A work or family obligation that would prevent you from taking your trip
• A pre-existing condition that might prevent you from traveling
• Your passport arriving too late

Is Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance Worth It?

While it’s a personal decision to add cancel for any reason coverage, you should be aware that adding CFAR insurance will increase your travel insurance premium. Furthermore, if you choose to cancel for an uncovered reason, you’ll only receive partial reimbursement for your trip. If there’s a high risk that you may need to cancel for uncovered reasons, the coverage may be worth it, especially for expensive vacations.

Cancel for any reason (CFAR) travel insurance is an add-on to a travel insurance policy that protects you in case you have to cancel your trip for reasons not covered in your standard policy. The cost can vary based on age, the number of people being covered, and the trip cost. However, the average across eight companies, as determined by Investopedia, is $223.

Progressive. “ Travel Insurance .”

Square Mouth Travel Insurance. “ Cancel for Any Reason .”

Progressive. “ Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) Travel Insurance .”

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Travel Insurance

Cheapest travel insurance of April 2024

Mandy Sleight

Heidi Gollub

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

Updated 9:52 a.m. UTC April 11, 2024

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Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy .

WorldTrips is the best cheap travel insurance company of 2024 based on our in-depth analysis of the cheapest travel insurance plans. Its Atlas Journey Preferred and Atlas Journey Premier plans offer affordable travel insurance with high limits for emergency medical and evacuation benefits bundled with good coverage for trip delays, travel inconvenience and missed connections.

Cheapest travel insurance of 2024

Why trust our travel insurance experts

Our team of travel insurance experts analyzes hundreds of insurance products and thousands of data points to help you find the best travel insurance for your next trip. 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.

• 1,855 coverage details evaluated.
• 567 rates reviewed.
• 5 levels of fact-checking.

Best cheap travel insurance

Top-scoring plans

Average cost, medical limit per person, medical evacuation limit per person, why it’s the best.

WorldTrips tops our rating of the cheapest travel insurance with two plans:

• Atlas Journey Preferred is the cheaper travel insurance plan of the two, with $100,000 per person in emergency medical benefits as secondary coverage and an optional upgrade to primary coverage. It’s also our pick for the best travel insurance for cruises .
• Atlas Journey Premier costs a little more but gives you $150,000 in travel medical insurance with primary coverage . This is a good option if health insurance for international travel is a priority.

Pros and cons

• Atlas Journey Preferred is the cheapest of our 5-star travel insurance plans.
• Atlas Journey Premier offers $150,000 in primary medical coverage.
• Both plans have top-notch $1 million per person in medical evacuation coverage.
• Each plan offers travel inconvenience coverage of $750 per person.
• 12 optional upgrades, including destination wedding and rental car damage and theft.
• No non-medical evacuation coverage.

Cheap travel insurance for cruises

Travel insured.

Top-scoring plan

Travel Insured offers cheap travel insurance for cruises and its Worldwide Trip Protector plan gets 4 stars in our rating of the best cruise travel insurance .

• Worldwide Trip Protector offers $1 million in emergency evacuation coverage per person and a rare $150,000 in non-medical evacuation per person. It also has primary coverage for travel medical insurance benefits, which means you won’t have to file medical claims with your health insurance first.
• Cheap trip insurance for cruises.
• Offers a rare $150,000 for non-medical evacuation.
• $500 per person baggage delay benefit only requires a 3-hour delay.
• Optional rental car damage benefit up to $50,000.
• Missed connection benefit of $500 per person only available for cruises and tours.

Best cheap travel insurance for families

Travelex has the best cheap travel insurance for families because kids age 17 are covered by your policy for free when they’re traveling with you.

• Free coverage for children 17 and under on the same policy.
• $2,000 travel delay coverage per person ($250 per day) after 5 hours.
• Hurricane and weather coverage after a common carrier delay of any amount of time.
• Only $50,000 per person emergency medical coverage.
• Baggage delay coverage is only $200 and requires a 12-hour delay.

Best cheap travel insurance for seniors

Evacuation limit per person

Nationwide has the best cheap travel insurance for seniors — its Prime plan gets 4 stars in our best senior travel insurance rating. However, Nationwide’s Cruise Choice plan ranks higher in our best cheap travel insurance rating.

• Cruise Choice has a $500 per person benefit if a cruise itinerary change causes you to miss a prepaid excursion. It also has a missed connections benefit of $1,500 per person after only a 3-hour delay, for cruises or tours. But note that this coverage is secondary coverage to any compensation provided by a common carrier.
• Coverage for cruise itinerary changes, ship-based mechanical breakdowns and covered shipboard service disruptions.
• Non-medical evacuation benefit of $25,000 per person.
• Baggage loss benefits of $2,500 per person.
• Travel medical coverage is secondary.
• Trip cancellation benefit for losing your job requires three years of continuous employment.
• No “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) upgrade available.
• Missed connection coverage of $1,500 per person is only for tours and cruises, after a 3-hour delay.

Best cheap travel insurance for add-on options

AIG offers the best cheap travel insurance for add-on options because the Travel Guard Preferred plan allows you to customize your policy with a host of optional upgrades.

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

Best cheap travel insurance for missed connections

TravelSafe has the best cheap travel insurance for missed connections because coverage is not limited to cruises and tours, as it is with many policies.

• Best-in-class $2,500 per person in missed connection coverage.
• $1 million per person in medical evacuation and $25,000 in non-medical evacuation coverage.
• Generous $2,500 per person baggage and personal items loss benefit.
• Most expensive of the best cheap travel insurance plans.
• No “interruption for any reason” coverage available.
• Weak baggage delay coverage of $250 per person after 12 hours.

Cheapest travel insurance comparison

How much does the cheapest travel insurance cost?

The cheapest travel insurance in our rating is $334. This is for a WorldTrips Atlas Journey Preferred travel insurance plan, based on the average of seven quotes for travelers of various ages to international destinations with a range of trip values.  

Factors that determine travel insurance cost

There are several factors that determine the cost of travel insurance, including:

• Age and number of travelers being insured.
• Trip length.
• Total trip cost.
• The travel insurance plan you choose.
• The travel insurance company.
• Any add-ons, features or upgraded benefits you include in the travel insurance plan.

Expert tip: “In general, travelers can expect to pay anywhere from 4% to 10% of their total prepaid, non-refundable trip costs,” said Suzanne Morrow, CEO of InsureMyTrip.

Is buying the cheapest travel insurance a good idea?

Choosing cheaper travel insurance without paying attention to what a plan covers and excludes could leave you underinsured for your trip. Comparing travel insurance plans side-by-side can help ensure you get enough coverage to protect yourself financially in an emergency for the best price. 

For example, compare these two Travelex travel insurance plans:

• Travel Basic is cheaper but it only provides up to $15,000 for emergency medical expense coverage. You’ll also have to pay extra for coverage for children.
• Travel Select will cost you a bit more but it covers up to $50,000 in medical expenses and includes coverage for kids aged 17 and younger traveling with you. It also offers upgrades such additional medical coverage, “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage and an adventure sports rider that may be a good fit for your trip.

Reasons to consider paying more for travel insurance 

Make sure you understand what you’re giving up if you buy the cheapest travel insurance. Here are a few reasons you may consider paying a little extra for better coverage. 

• Emergency medical. The best travel medical insurance offers primary coverage for emergency medical benefits. Travel insurance with primary coverage can cost more than secondary coverage but will save you from having to file a claim with your health insurance company before filing a travel insurance claim.
• Emergency evacuation. If you’re traveling to a remote location or planning a boat excursion on your trip, look at travel insurance with a high medical evacuation insurance limit. If you are injured while traveling, transportation to the nearest adequate medical facility could cost in the tens to hundreds of thousands. It may make sense to pay more for travel insurance with robust emergency evacuation coverage. 
• Flexibility. To maximize your trip flexibility, you might consider upgrading your travel insurance to “ cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage . This will increase the cost of your travel insurance but allow you to cancel your trip for any reason — not just those listed in your policy. The catch is that you’ll need to cancel at least 48 hours before your trip and will only be reimbursed 50% or 75% of your trip expenses, depending on the plan. 
• Upgrades. Many travel insurance plans have optional extras like car rental collision and adventure sports (which may otherwise be excluded from coverage). These will cost you extra but may give you the coverage you need. 

How to find the cheapest travel insurance

The best way to find the cheapest travel insurance is to determine what you’re looking for in a travel insurance policy and compare plans that meet your needs.

 “Travel insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every trip is different, and every traveler has different needs, wants and concerns. This is why comparison is key,” said Morrow.

Consider the following factors when comparing cheap travel insurance plans.

• How often you’re traveling. A single-trip policy may be the most cost-effective if you’re only going on a single trip this year. But a multi-trip travel insurance plan may be cheaper if you’re going on multiple international trips throughout the year. Annual travel insurance policies cover you for a whole year as long as each trip doesn’t exceed a certain number of days, usually 30 to 90 days. 
• Credit card has travel insurance benefits. The best credit cards offer perks and benefits, and many offer travel insurance-specific benefits. The coverage types and benefit limits can vary, and you must put the entire trip cost on the credit card to use the coverage. If your trip costs more than the coverage limit on your card, you can supplement the rest with a cheaper travel insurance plan.
• The coverage you need. When looking for the best travel insurance option at the most affordable price, only buy extras and upgrades you really need. A basic plan may only provide up to $500 in baggage insurance, but if you only plan to take $300 worth of clothes and accessories, you don’t need to pay more for higher coverage limits.

Is cheap travel insurance worth it?

Cheap travel insurance can be worth it, as long as you understand the plan limitations and exclusions. Taking the time to read your policy, especially the fine print, well before your trip can ensure there won’t be any surprises about what’s covered once your journey begins.

“If a traveler is looking for coverage for travel delays, cancellations, interruptions, medical and baggage — a comprehensive travel insurance policy will provide the most bang for their buck,” said Morrow. But if you’re on a tight budget and are only worried about emergency medical care and evacuation coverage while traveling abroad, stand-alone options are cheaper.

Before buying travel insurance, you should also consider what your health insurance will cover. 

“Most domestic health insurance plans, including Medicare, will not cover medical bills abroad,” said Morrow. Even if you’re staying stateside, you may find value in an affordable travel insurance plan with medical coverage if you have a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). 

A cheap travel insurance plan is better than none at all if you end up in a situation that would have covered some or all of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses.

Methodology

Our insurance experts reviewed 1,855 coverage details and 567 rates to determine the best travel insurance . From those top-scoring travel insurance plans, we chose the most affordable for our rating of the cheapest travel insurance.

Insurers could score up to 100 points based on the following factors:

• Cost: 40 points. We scored the average cost of each travel insurance policy for a variety of trips and traveler profiles.
• Medical expenses: 10 points. We scored travel medical insurance by the coverage amount available. Travel insurance policies with emergency medical expense benefits of $250,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Medical evacuation: 10 points. We scored each plan’s emergency medical evacuation coverage by coverage amount. Travel insurance policies with medical evacuation expense benefits of $500,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver: 10 points. We gave full points to travel insurance policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions if certain conditions are met.
• Missed connection: 10 points. Travel insurance plans with missed connection benefits of $1,000 per person or more received full points.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade: 5 points. We gave points to travel insurance plans with optional “cancel for any reason” coverage that reimburses up to 75%.
• Travel delay required waiting time: 5 points. We gave 5 points to travel insurance policies with travel delay benefits that kick in after a delay of 6 hours or less.
• Cancel for work reasons: 5 points. If a travel insurance plan allows you to cancel your trip for work reasons, such as your boss requiring you to stay and work, we gave it 5 points.
• Hurricane and severe weather: 5 points. Travel insurance plans that have a required waiting period for hurricane and weather coverage of 12 hours or less received 5 points.

Some travel insurance companies may offer plans with additional benefits or lower prices than the plans that scored the highest, so make sure to compare travel insurance quotes to see your full range of options.

Cheapest travel insurance FAQs

When buying travel insurance, cheapest is not always the best. The most affordable travel insurance plans typically offer fewer coverages with lower policy limits and few or no optional upgrades. Add up your total nonrefundable trip costs and compare travel insurance plans and available features that cover your travel expenses. This strategy can help you find the cheapest travel insurance policy that best protects you from financial loss if an unforeseen circumstance arises.

Get the coverage you need: Best travel insurance of 2024

According to our analysis, WorldTrips , Travel Insured International and Travelex offer the best cheap travel insurance. Policy coverage types and limits can vary by each travel insurance provider, so the best way to get the cheapest travel insurance plan is to compare several policies and companies to find the right fit for your budget.

A good rate for travel insurance depends on your budget and coverage needs. The most comprehensive travel insurance plan is usually not the cheapest. But cheap trip insurance may not have enough coverage or the types of coverage you want. Comparing different levels of coverage and how much they cost can help you find the best cheap insurance for travel. 

The average cost of travel insurance is between 5% to 6% of your total travel expenses for one trip, according to our analysis of rates. However, you may find cheaper travel insurance if you opt for a plan with fewer benefits or lower coverage limits. How much you pay for travel insurance will also depend on the number of travelers covered, their ages, the length of the trip and any upgrades you add to your plan.

Travel insurance covers nonrefundable, prepaid trip costs — up to the policy coverage limits — when your trip is interrupted or canceled for a covered reason outlined in your plan documents. Even the cheapest travel insurance policies usually provide coverage for:

• Medical emergencies.
• Trip delays.
• Trip interruption.
• Trip cancellation.
• Lost, stolen or damaged luggage.

However, if you’re looking to save on travel insurance, you can shop for a policy that only has travel medical insurance and does not include benefits for trip cancellation .

Even when you buy cheap travel insurance, you can often use upgrade options to customize your policy to meet your specific needs. 

Some common travel insurance add-ons you may want to consider include:

• Rental car damage coverage. 
• Medical bundle.
• Security bundle.
• Accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
• Adventure sports bundle.
• Pet bundle.
• Wedding bundle.
• “Cancel for work reasons” coverage.
• “Interruption for any reason” (IFAR) coverage.
• “Cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage .

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.

Mandy is an insurance writer who has been creating online content since 2018. Before becoming a full-time freelance writer, Mandy spent 15 years working as an insurance agent. Her work has been published in Bankrate, MoneyGeek, The Insurance Bulletin, U.S. News and more.

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.

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Travel | Travel Troubleshooter: My trip to Iraq was…

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Travel | day of protest: crowds block golden gate bridge, i-880 in oakland, travel | travel troubleshooter: my trip to iraq was canceled, so why can’t i get my $7,590 back.

DEAR TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER: I paid $7,590 for a Modern Mesopotamia tour to Iraq through MIR Corporation for last fall. I also purchased insurance from AIG Travel Guard at a cost of $766, which offered 100% coverage for trip interruptions or cancellations. Just 14 days before the trip was supposed to start, I received a letter from MIR Corporation that they were canceling the trip because the United States government raised the security risks. They offered a voucher, which was only good for a trip to Iraq in the next two years — if there was any travel allowed to Iraq. I believe it is a worthless voucher.

I filed a claim with AIG Travel Guard, but it denied my claim. I also disputed the charge on my credit card, but my credit card company sided with MIR Corporation. I’m very frustrated by this and hope that you might be able to help me recover this money.

— Diane Gottlieb, Chicago

ANSWER: It doesn’t seem fair for a tour operator to cancel a trip and not offer a refund. But the terms of your tour say otherwise. They allow MIR Corporation to keep your money and issue a voucher for a future tour, which is exactly what they did.

Let’s break this one down. MIR Corporation specializes in tours of “under-explored destinations” (those are its words) like Mongolia, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan. The paper trail between you and the company shows that it warned you of the risks of traveling to Iraq and urged you to buy travel insurance. It also clearly disclosed its terms, which were that it offers an expiring voucher when it cancels a tour.

A representative explained the reason why MIR Corporation has this policy. The tour operator had already paid its vendors and could not get a refund. But the arrangements between a tour operator and its vendors are none of your concern. The only thing that matters is the agreement you have with the tour operator.

MIR Corporation did the right thing by recommending travel insurance. But the policy you bought through AIG Travel Guard, which MIR Corporation helped facilitate, did not cover a cancellation by the tour operator. You could have bought a “cancel for any reason” policy, although it was considerably more expensive. This would have given you a refund between 50% and 75% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs.

Your case is a reminder to always read the contract when you sign up for a tour, or any other travel product for that matter. It’s also a reminder to read the fine print in your travel insurance. Your policy did not offer “100% coverage” for a cancellation, as you stated. Rather, it was a policy with a named exclusion that did not include a cancellation for security concerns.

But there were special circumstances. MIR Corporation’s voucher had to be used within two years and was only valid for its Iraq tours. At the time you contacted me, it didn’t look like there would be tours to Iraq for a while, so there was a good chance that your voucher would expire before you could use it. Also, you are 78 years old, and you suggested that you might not feel up to a tour of Iraq within the next two years.

You reached out to my advocacy team for help, and I contacted MIR Corporation on your behalf. The company agreed to offer a credit to any of its destinations for two years, and you accepted its offer.

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy , a nonprofit organization that helps consumers solve their problems. Email him at [email protected] or get help by contacting him at elliottadvocacy.org/help/ . (c) 2024 Christopher Elliott Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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