Cancel for Any Reason coverage offers travelers the most cancellation flexibility and is the only coverage option available to cover fear of travel. This benefit is time-sensitive and has other eligibility requirements, so not all travelers will qualify. Please be sure to read the plan details carefully before purchasing.
Life throws us a curveball occasionally – and travel is not immune to unexpected surprises. When it comes to planning travel, a little extra protection can be extremely beneficial. One option to consider when reviewing travel insurance is the add-on benefit Cancel for Any Reason (also known as “CFAR”).
CFAR is an optional travel insurance benefit that may be added onto an eligible comprehensive policy. This popular coverage offers travelers the opportunity to cancel travel plans for reasons other than those listed as “covered reasons” on their policy. CFAR allows travelers to bypass that list, providing many travelers with a sense of greater flexibility and confidence when making decisions about travel arrangements.
It’s important to note that you cannot purchase CFAR on its own – it can only be an “add-on” benefit. CFAR is offered as a part of certain comprehensive plans and may only be available to those who meet certain criteria. If required conditions are met, you may be eligible for reimbursement of 50%-75% of your of your insured, prepaid non-refundable trip costs if you are canceling at least 48 hours prior to departure, unless otherwise noted.
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Typically, a policy must be purchased within 10-21 days of making the initial trip payment to be eligible for CFAR benefits. Providers will often require CFAR purchasers to insure the entire dollar amount of their travel plans in order to receive coverage. There are additional eligibility requirements for this coverage option, so be sure to review the policy carefully to understand coverage before purchasing.
Claims Stipulations
To be eligible for reimbursement, many CFAR policies require that you cancel your insured travel plans and notify suppliers at least 48 hours (two days) prior to your scheduled departure. Beyond that, any cancellation must be made for a stated covered reason under your policy details in order to be eligible for reimbursement.
What Does Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance Cover?
As the name suggests, CFAR is designed to provide coverage for travelers who cancel their plans for a reason not covered by their policy. While this could be for “any” reason, there are still some requirements of which to be aware.
CFAR differs from the “Trip Cancellation” benefit included with most comprehensive policies. Under Trip Cancellation coverage, you must cancel your trip for a covered reason to receive reimbursement of up to 100% of your insured prepaid, non-refundable trip cost. However, as many of us know, life doesn’t always follow the plan, and CFAR may help provide reimbursement of the majority of your prepaid, non-refundable trip cost if you must cancel for something other than a covered reason.
These situations may include, but are not limited to:
Travel concerns due to spiking Covid cases at your destination.
Conflict/War
Relationship issues
Pregnancy
Illness of a friend
Fear of travel
Changing your mind
In a nutshell, adding the Cancel for Any Reason travel insurance upgrade means that your travel insurance plan may cover cancellation for any reason at all.
Canceling Travel Plans Due to COVID-19
Most travel insurance plans will not cover cancellations due to change of mind or disruptions related to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Sometimes the only way to get around this cancellation limitation is by getting travel insurance with Cancel for Any Reason coverage. This benefit offers travelers the most room to decide for themselves which circumstances are the appropriate grounds to withdraw from travel plans. Travelers must cancel their travel arrangements at least 48 hours prior to departure and meet all other eligibility requirements in order to qualify for CFAR benefits.
Do I Need Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance?
When making decisions about trip insurance, travelers may want to balance the cost of a plan and the coverage that comes with it. All travel involves some degree of risk, and when a need for cancellation arises, travel insurance that covers cancellation for any reason may make a significant difference in what happens next. Travelers who are unable to or simply no longer want to take a trip may be able to get up to 75% of their trip costs back with CFAR, even if they have to cancel their trip due to something other than a covered reason at least 48 hours prior to departure. A highly flexible cancellation benefit, CFAR may accommodate the greatest range of personal and worldwide circumstances.
It is important to understand the limits of your policy when purchasing travel insurance so you can identify whether you may need certain benefits. In some cases, travelers may decide that lower limits may suffice for a short-distance weekend trip. However, there may be more on the line with a trip involving multiple flights or legs, a trip that includes prepaid events and excursions, or a long or international trip. If your travel plans are weeks or months away, it may be beneficial to consider what life may bring before you depart for your trip and what kind of situations would make cancellation necessary.
Is Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance Worth It?
This answer is unique to every traveler. Cancel for Any Reason is the coverage option that can allow the most flexibility to cancel for a reason not covered by the policy, such as fear of travel, and receive some reimbursement.
One important question to ask yourself when considering this benefit is – what would you risk losing if you can’t go on your trip? For some travelers, that means losing a large sum of money. CFAR may allow you to get some of those non-refundable, prepaid expenses back, and being prepared may help you lessen your financial risk if something goes awry.
Ultimately, whether you should buy CFAR travel insurance may depend on your own priorities and what level of risk you feel comfortable taking on as you make your travel arrangements.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article serves as a general overview of benefits and should only be used for informational purposes. Refer to your individual certificate of insurance for specific coverages, exclusions and benefits. When in doubt, please contact one of our licensed agents for additional assistance.
The number one concern of summer travelers researching travel insurance is how their trip will be affected by hurricanes or other severe weather events. When traveling during the Atlantic hurricane season, June 1st to November 30th, you must plan for unexpected weather patterns.
If you read nothing else in this article, although all of it is important and we highly recommend you keep reading, know this: purchasing your travel insurance plan prior to a storm being named should provide you coverage for travel concerns that arise due to that storm. If a hurricane or tropical storm that affects your trip is predicted before you purchase a plan, your coverage may be extremely limited.
Hurricane Travel Insurance: How to Decide If it’s Important
You are probably thinking to yourself, “Sure, bad weather affects travel plans. But do I really need to invest in a travel insurance plan?” While we can’t answer that question for you, we can set you up with the right tools. We recommend purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance plan if you can answer ‘yes’ to any of the following questions:
Are you planning to travel between June 1st and November 30th?
The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1st to November 30th each year. If you are traveling at all during these days (even just returning from a trip in early June), we highly recommend you purchase a plan. Travel insurance can help with things like reimbursement for additional expenses, up to the policy limit, for an extended stay due to grounded flights, or offer compensation for an interrupted trip due to damage of your primary residence.
Are you traveling to, through, or from any destination on the East Coast of the United States, or along the Atlantic Coastline?
The East Coast of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico are the prime areas for hurricanes. The most impactful hurricanes in the last decade have hit the mid-Atlantic region of the United States East Coast, and the Texas, Florida, Alabama, and Louisiana coastlines.
Do you live anywhere on the East Coast of the U.S. or in the Atlantic Hurricane Zone?
If you live in an area where hurricanes are known for tormenting, travel insurance can help you out – even if you are leaving the area entirely. If you are on a trip away from home when a hurricane hits and your primary residence is made uninhabitable, your plan may provide trip interruption coverage which may help to defray the cost of returning home and provide reimbursement for unused pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs.
Hurricane season is six months out of the calendar year. That’s a large window of time that Mother Nature can wreak havoc on the travel industry. Depending on the travel investment you are making, you should consider purchasing a travel insurance plan if you answered yes to any of these questions. But how can a travel insurance plan cover you if a tropical storm should occur?
Travel Insurance Coverage For Hurricanes
Let’s go back to that fun fact we shared at the start of the article: purchasing your plan prior to a storm being named should provide you coverage for travel concerns that arise due to that storm.
It may seem like a small detail, but it will make or break the coverage available to you. If you wait to purchase a travel insurance plan until The Weather Channel is already warning the world about the latest hurricane on it’s way to the Caribbean Islands, you’re too late. However, if you purchased your travel insurance plan in a timely manner, you should expect a full suite of coverage as listed on your plan. Here are some reasons you may want to use your travel insurance coverage:
Airline or Cruise Line Cancels or Delays the Trip Due to Weather
If your airline or cruise line cancels or delays your scheduled departure due to bad weather, you may be eligible for the trip cancellation, travel delay or trip interruption coverage on your plan. This can help to reimburse you for the unexpected, added expenses for being held in transit longer than expected. Depending on the plan, you may even be eligible for inconvenience benefits if there is a change to your itinerary.
Your Destination is Under a Hurricane Warning
Some travel insurance plans will have coverage that becomes eligible for reimbursement when a destination is under an NOAA-issued Hurricane warning or alert.* It’s important to know how detailed your travel insurance plan is in regards to specific hurricane warnings and coverage eligibility.
Accommodation Cancels a Reservation because of Storm Damage at Destination
If a storm hits hard before your arrival date, a hotel, resort, or vacation rental may cancel your reservation because it’s devastated and made uninhabitable by a storm. Travel insurance plans typically provide coverage for this. Reimbursement for this can help if the accommodation you selected does not provide a full refund for your pre-paid reservation.
You Must Cancel or Interrupt because Your Home was Made Uninhabitable by a Natural Disaster
The right travel insurance plan doesn’t just protect you in case something should damage or destroy your destination – but also your home. If you cannot travel because you need to tend to damage done to your primary home, you may be eligible for reimbursement due to cancellation or interruption of your trip.
Going Home Early because Your Destination has Become Uninhabitable while You are There
It could be a scary situation to be on vacation when a dangerous storm rolls through. A travel insurance plan could provide coverage for trip interruption (going home early) because your accommodations have become uninhabitable during the storm. You might also want to look for a plan that will help cover some of the cost for a mandatory evacuation should a storm strike while you are already at your destination.
These are a handful of reasons travelers have found travel insurance to be helpful in recouping lost travel expenses. If you are traveling and think you may be able to be reimbursed for unexpected expenses due to bad weather changing your travel plans, keep your receipts and document everything. Call your travel insurance company and any travel suppliers that may be affected by the change as soon as possible. All of this will help minimize potential slowdowns during a claims process.
NOAA Hurricane Warnings & Alerts: How They Affect Your Travel Insurance Coverage
The National Hurricane Center (NOAA) periodically issues advisories and warnings for hurricanes around the world. Some travel insurance plans will provide specific coverage if the NOAA issues a hurricane warning for your destination, while other travel insurance plans have general coverage for severe weather that affects a trip.
Finding the Right Plan
If you are particularly concerned about a hurricane causing havoc on your planned trip, you should consider a plan that has coverage for NOAA warnings. This could maximize your trip cancellation coverage, and provide reimbursement of your pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs. This may be an added benefit because many hotels, resorts, and tour operators may not provide compensation unless the storm prohibits them from providing service. A plan with NOAA warnings as a listed covered reason would allow you to stay safe without risk of losing pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs. Every plan will have different requirements that must be met for this coverage to be available.
A typical comprehensive travel insurance plan will not provide specific coverage for NOAA warnings. Generally, however, travel insurance plans provide coverage for trip cancellation, interruption, and delays for bad weather patterns that disrupt travel plans.
InsureMyTrip is a Weather-Ready Nation (WRN) Ambassador™
As a dedicated NOAA partner, InsureMyTrip is committed to improving travelers’ readiness and responsiveness against extreme weather. The Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador program is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Commerce and NOAA, to strengthen partnerships with external organizations toward building community resilience in the face of increasing vulnerability to extreme weather and water events.
InsureMyTrip is here help travelers stay informed and be better prepared when traveling during Hurricane Season. We have launched a travel podcast Tips & Trips on the first season, we’re cover Hurricane season and its impact on your travel plans. Travelers who are concerned about finding the right plan with coverage for NOAA warnings are also encouraged to contact our award-winning customer care team for assistance getting the best plan for their unique needs and trip.
Hurricane Alley: Where Hurricanes Are Most Possible
According to Wikipedia, Hurricane Alley is the area of the Atlantic Ocean stretching from northern Africa to the Gulf Coast of Central America and the Southern United States. Scientists believe that the water in this area of the ocean is gradually warming, thus leading to more frequent hurricanes. Some of the most popular travel destinations for InsureMyTrip travelers are located in Hurricane Alley. Most Caribbean islands are often plagued with hurricanes and this can affect resort vacations as well as cruise itineraries.
Any destination on the East Coast of Central America (like Cancun, Mexico or Costa Rica) or on the southern coast of the United States (like New Orleans, Louisiana or Panama City, Florida) are vulnerable to hurricane level weather patterns. Not only are these popular travel destinations, but these coasts are hubs for domestic and international airline connections. Even if your final destination is not at risk for a hurricane, the city you are stopping at for a connecting flight may be at risk for severe weather. Keep an eye on the weather once a tropical depression has been announced as these may quickly build speed and become a tropical storm or hurricane that can threaten to delay or derail your travel plans.
Tips for Traveling During Hurricane Season
All this said: don’t let the fear of hurricanes change your dreams of seeing the white sands of the Caribbean or scare you away from the experience of a Jazz festival in New Orleans! With a few adjustments to your travel routine, you can adequately prepare yourself for the possibility of a hurricane affecting your trip.
Plan Ahead
You’ve booked your trip, told everyone how excited you are, officially put it on your calendar and then realized it falls during the months of peak hurricane activity. Invest in travel insurance now. You may have more options with any available time-sensitive benefits and can protect yourself from unforeseen storms. Read reviews from fellow travelers and compare plans all in one place to make it easier to find the best coverage to meet your personal coverage needs.
Understand the Unforeseen
A plan will only cover unforeseen events. In loose terms, if the storm has been predicted (and named) by weather experts, you will not be covered by a new plan. If you already had an existing plan in place before the tropical depression showed on radar, you should have protection. All plans are different, so be sure to read how your plan explains unforeseen events and coverage due to inclement weather.
Know How Your Travel Suppliers Will React
If you are traveling to a destination located in a hurricane region, this most likely won’t be their first rodeo. They are experts in severe weather. Call your airline, cruise line and/or resort to understand how they will react to hurricanes. Then talk to us about what this means for possible coverage options you may want to consider.
Bring Your Important Plan Information
We recommend that you bring your entire plan document with you on your trip. This way you’ll be able to reference how your plan can help you in any situation. If you opt not to, you definitely need to bring the confirmation number and policy number from the insurance company as well as their claims/emergency assistance contact information. If you do stumble upon a need for your plan, you’ll need to reference that basic information when calling the company.
Don’t Stress Out
We know it can be scary or disappointing to be faced with a hurricane before or during your trip, but the reason you have travel insurance is so you can travel confidently. If a hurricane does affect your trip; remember, you have travel insurance to help protect the cost of your trip or to get you home. Call the insurance company to find out next steps for your situation. And if you need any assistance with the claims process, our Anytime Advocates are here to help.
Which Plan Has The Best Hurricane Coverage For Your Trip?
Many plans on our site offer specific coverage should a hurricane affect your travel plans. Keep in mind, the coverage listed may vary by state residence. Be sure to review the plan details carefully before purchasing, or speak with a licensed agent to ensure the plan has the coverage you want.
Hurricanes and Limitation of Airline Cancellation Policies
Flight cancellation policies vary by airline and circumstance. When an airline cancels a flight due to bad weather, most will try to rebook passengers on the next available flight. Airlines are not required to reimburse travelers for losses incurred as a result of a canceled flight due to weather. Travelers concerned about protecting pre-paid, non-refundable trip expenses should buy travel insurance.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article serves as a general overview of benefits and should only be used for informational purposes. Refer to your individual certificate of insurance for specific coverages, exclusions and benefits. When in doubt, please contact one of our licensed agents for additional assistance.
Comprehensive travel insurance plans are the most widely known form of coverage with the most trip protection coverage available for a single trip. Typically, a comprehensive plan will offer a variety of benefits for travelers, covering a wide range of concerns, such as trip cancellation and going home early, flight delay, baggage loss or damage, 24-hour assistance and some travel medical coverage.
These the most widely known travel insurance plans because they are available for nearly any type of trip for travelers of any age.
Coverage Limits
Coverage limits for comprehensive travel insurance vary between plans and dictate the maximum amount of reimbursement in case of a claim. Typically, trip cancellation and trip interruption limits directly reflect your total trip cost. Other limits, such as medical, baggage and travel delay coverage are independent of this.
Several plans also have optional benefits that can tailor coverage to your specific trip needs. For example, if you’re traveling with business or sports equipment, you may want to compare comprehensive plans that offer coverage options for these items. If you are particularly concerned about illness or injury while traveling, you may want to compare plans with more travel medical or evacuation coverage. Also, several plans offer pre-existing condition waivers, if purchased within a specific time window. These options, often available with comprehensive plans, help to allow you to find the right plan for your trip.
Plan Exclusions
Most travel insurance plans will include a list of exclusions (such as events and items) that are not covered under the listed benefits. It’s always advisable to make sure you are well acquainted with the terms of any plan you are considering. This may help you feel more comfortable that the coverage you do buy will meet your needs and help to avoid issues in the event you file a claim.
Some exclusions can include travel delays that do not meet the required minimum or expensive sports equipment needed for your trip. Also, many plans will exclude pre-existing conditions or adventure activities from medical coverage.
Another popular coverage is trip cancellation. Many plans only provide coverage for a specific list of covered reasons for cancellation. We recommend reviewing this list to be fully aware of which reasons are included and which are not. This can help you to prepare for a claims process, if necessary.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article serves as a general overview of benefits and should only be used for informational purposes. Refer to your individual certificate of insurance for specific coverages, exclusions and benefits. When in doubt, please contact one of our licensed agents for additional assistance.
Travelers take risks when they book trips during stormy seasons. Winter storms can shut down airports, train stations and even whole cities; high wind gusts can cause flight delays; and hurricanes come with their own set of complications for travel.
What can you do as a traveler to make sure you are protected in the event that Mother Nature doesn’t comply with your plans? Purchase travel insurance, of course. The right plan can provide many important benefits to get you back on track and help with many additional expenses.
Flight Delay Due to Weather
In the case of a standard weather-related delay, travel insurance can offer coverage, up to the stated amount, that reimburse for the costs incurred. If the delay lasts six hours or more (depending on the plan details), reimbursement for incidental necessities, like food and temporary lodging, may be available. On the very rare occasion, some plans may pay for these arrangements up-front, eliminating the need to file a claim for reimbursement.
Don’t worry if you are feeling overwhelmed with impromptu arrangements. Most travel insurance companies have assistance services that can help make arrangements for alternative lodging and transportation as needed; such as getting a seat on another flight, changing a rental car reservation or getting a room at a nearby hotel. Some plans may even assist in catching up to a cruise ship that has already left port.
Trip Cancellation Due to Weather
Unfortunately, weather does cause trip cancellations, especially during hurricane season or the winter. If a severe storm wreaks havoc on your travel plans, you’ll be extremely glad you invested in a plan that includes trip cancellation insurance.
In the case that a storm has caused your destination to become uninhabitable – meaning your accommodation is no longer available for you to stay due to damage from the storm, your comprehensive plan may cover trip cancellation up to 100% of your insured trip cost.
The same may be said if damage occurs at your primary place of residence, prior to departing and after you purchased a travel insurance plan. Many comprehensive travel insurance plans will offer trip cancellation benefits if your home is damaged badly enough that you must change your plans to deal with repairs.
Caveat to Coverage
Neither travel delay nor trip cancellation benefits would be available if the coverage is needed for a “known peril”. This is a fancy insurance term for a weather event that was predicted prior to you purchasing your travel insurance plan. If you purchase a plan after the storm has been predicted or, in some cases, after a tropical storm or hurricane is named, you could be denied benefits if you file a claim citing the storm as the reason for coverage.
Bottom line? Don’t hesitate to purchase a plan – especially if you are traveling during a time where weather could be a factor. Hurricane season in the Atlantic stretches from June 1st to November 30th and, of course, the winter months can always be a concern.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article serves as a general overview of benefits and should only be used for informational purposes. Refer to your individual certificate of insurance for specific coverages, exclusions and benefits. When in doubt, please contact one of our licensed agents for additional assistance.
When we select to work with a travel insurance provider, we look closely at the financial stability of that provider’s underwriters, as measured by A.M. Best ratings. We display these financial ratings when you are comparing plans. We also include the A.M. Best rating scale in a list format on this page to help you make an easy, well-informed decision when selecting the right travel insurance plan. Take a look at the guide below to understand how each A.M. Best rating is derived, ranked, and sorted into the list. With a little research, you can feel more confident about the A.M. Best insurance rating system and your selected travel insurance.
Provider
Underwriter
A.M. Best Rating
Effective Date
National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh
United States Fire Insurance Company (comprehensive plans)
A
08/03/2024
SiriusPoint America Insurance Company (comprehensive plans)
A-
04/26/2024
Starr Indemnity & Liability Company
A
12/13/2023
The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company
A+
08/10/2023
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
A
12/07/2023
Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s (medical plans)
A
07/21/2021
United States Specialty Insurance Company
A
10/27/2023
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company
A++
03/28/2024
United States Fire Insurance Company
A
08/03/2023
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
A
12/07/2023
Arch Insurance Company
A+
03/11/2024
MedjetAssist and International SOS are membership programs and not rated by A.M. Best scale:
MedjetAssist is a prepaid, air medical transportation membership program – not a travel insurance policy or healthcare plan. Lloyd’s of London underwrites the program to guarantee that a transport will be available to every MedjetAssist member in a time of need.
International SOS is a global assistance company that specializes in emergency medical evacuation. In the event of an epidemic or security incident, International SOS will provide an immediate response for peace of mind.
FINANCIAL STRENGTH RATINGS
A.M. Best’s Financial Strength Rating (FSR) is an opinion of an insurer’s ability to meet its obligations to policyholders. The following list outlines A.M. Best’s rating scale and associated descriptions.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article serves as a general overview of benefits and should only be used for informational purposes. Refer to your individual certificate of insurance for specific coverages, exclusions and benefits. When in doubt, please contact one of our licensed agents for additional assistance.
A common question we are asked is, “When should I buy travel insurance?” Our customers know a plan is important but aren’t sure of the “travel insurance sweet spot”. Do they purchase before a trip is booked? The same day it’s scheduled? After the trip is paid off? Before or after they depart?
There are only three “rules” about when to buy a travel insurance plan:
After your first trip payment is made. If you want to purchase a comprehensive plan to cover trip cancellation, we recommend you do it after making at least one payment towards your trip, but some plans require you to have already put money down. You will want to have a good grasp of your total expected trip cost. This will allow you to get the most accurate quote for the right travel insurance plan.
As close to that first payment as possible. If you need coverage for a pre-existing medical condition or are interested in optional Cancel for Any Reason coverage, you should be aware that both of these have time-sensitive eligibility requirements tied to your initial trip payment (among other requirements). In other words, once you’ve paid for a part of the trip (whether it’s airfare, accommodations or a down payment for a cruise) you have a limited amount of time to buy a plan to access these benefits.
Prior to when the plan is needed. You must purchase travel insurance coverage before it is needed. Some travel medical plans are available for purchase after you have departed, but comprehensive plans that include medical coverage must be purchased before departing. However, you can’t buy any medical coverage once you recognize a need for medical attention. The same applies to all travel insurance coverage. Once you recognize the need, it is too late to protect your trip.
So, in reviewing the three rules, you may still be a little confused on that “travel insurance sweet spot.” We tell travelers to prepare early. As soon as you book and make an initial payment on your trip, start comparing travel insurance plans.
Last Minute Travel Insurance
Travel isn’t always meticulously planned. While many of us like to take the scrupulous approach of scheduling things months in advance, making sure each hotel is booked, each flight secured, each detail firmly in place well ahead of our anticipated departure, there’s no denying that some trips just don’t work that way. Sometimes travel opportunities sneak up on us quite unexpectedly – whether from sheer spontaneity or something more serious that requires us to make hasty arrangements. Just because the planning phase has to be shortened considerably doesn’t mean that travelers should be any less proactive about buying a last-minute travel insurance policy to cover them in the event something goes awry. We’re fond of reminding travelers to purchase their travel insurance immediately after making their first trip deposit, so they’ll have access to all the potential benefits and options available. But what happens if the initial trip deposit and the trip itself go practically hand-in-hand?
Don’t Worry About Fancy Benefits
While Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) policies are extremely popular with many travelers, for good reason, they’re probably not where you want to focus your search if you’re about to depart. CFAR is intended to help you out if you choose to cancel your trip for any reason that’s not stated as being covered on your travel insurance policy. However, if you’re putting together a last-minute itinerary, chances are you won’t be changing your mind. Also, since CFAR policies require you to cancel – and notify all of your travel suppliers of your decision – a minimum of two days prior to your departure, last-minute travelers may not have time on their sides.
Do Keep Up with the News
If you’re planning to depart quickly, you should scan the news and weather for any events that may disrupt your trip. It’s likely that anything you find will not be covered by your travel insurance policy; since travel insurance is only for unforeseen events, any hurricane threats, possible airline strikes, or other threats to your travel experience that are already being discussed in the media will more often than not be considered “known perils” and won’t be covered. Obviously, if you’re determined to travel, you should still purchase a last-minute travel insurance policy to possibly cover other disruptions, but it’s best to enter into your travel insurance purchase having a realistic expectation about what benefits are truly available to you.
Take Advantage of Time-Sensitive Benefits
The good news about being in a hurry is that, since you’ll be purchasing your last-minute travel insurance soon after you’ve made your first payment on the trip, you may be eligible for some very helpful benefits that aren’t offered to travelers who wait. Items like pre-existing conditions waivers offer valuable coverage, but are only available if you buy travel insurance within 10-21 days of your initial trip payment. That’s good news for last-minute travelers.
Only a few travel insurance companies on InsureMyTrip offer plans that cover medical emergencies and evacuation as well as cancellation, delay, and baggage. Some companies offer cancellation-only plans as well. All plans available on InsureMyTrip must be purchased before you leave Canada, you cannot purchase any of these plans once you have departed. Importantly, you cannot purchase coverage for only a portion of your trip; you must fully insure it. If you do not, then the plan would be considered invalid and not provide coverage.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article serves as a general overview of benefits and should only be used for informational purposes. Refer to your individual certificate of insurance for specific coverages, exclusions and benefits. When in doubt, please contact one of our licensed agents for additional assistance.
As a dedicated NOAA partner, InsureMyTrip is committed to improving travelers’ readiness and responsiveness against extreme weather. The Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador program is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Commerce and NOAA, to strengthen partnerships with external organizations toward building community resilience in the face of increasing vulnerability to extreme weather and water events.
