Why You Need Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance for Ultimate Peace of Mind

When you schedule a getaway, the hope is that you’ll be able to go, right? But in reality, sometimes things come up and you just can’t make it. 

In those unfortunate situations, we can at least be sure to protect ourselves from the additional burden of having to foot the bill for a trip we couldn’t take with travel insurance. So, is buying the extra cancel for any reason travel insurance worth it?

Jumping Ahead

blue outline of arrow pointing right What is Cancel for Any Reason travel insurance?

Cancel for Any Reason is an optional upgrade insurance benefit offered with some comprehensive travel insurance that allows more flexible cancellation terms than standard plans.

Most comprehensive plans include a standard benefit called Trip Cancellation coverage that protects 100% of your insured nonrefundable amounts should you need to cancel your trip due to a covered event. Note that if you nix your trip for reasons not named in the policy, your claim might be denied if you don’t have CFAR coverage.

So, what isn’t covered by standard coverage? Common cancellation events that many policies with standard plans may exclude are:

  • Pandemics or epidemics
  • Changes in travel advisories of destination
  • Foreseen events
  • Known storms or hurricanes
  • War or civil unrest at your destination
  • Fear of travel

Pro Tip: If any of these reasons above are some of your main concerns for travel, we’d recommend opting for a plan with Cancel for Any Reason coverage.

beach in Brazil

blue outline of arrow pointing right What does Cancel for Any Reason cover?

Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage lets you cancel your adventure for any reason at all. This even goes for events that aren’t listed under standard plans. Note that policy exclusions may still apply here.

“Events that normally aren’t covered under standard policies like pandemics, imperfect weather, and change of mind could be covered under Cancel for Any Reason”, says Terry Boynton, co-founder and president of Yonder Travel Insurance.

The CFAR benefit will reimburse you 50-80% (depending on the policy) of your insured, nonrefundable trip costs if you call off your trip for an event not covered by standard cancellation terms. However, most policies on the market currently offer a 75% reimbursement rate. Unfortunately, CFAR travel insurance policies that provide a 100% reimbursement of your trip costs don’t exist.

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blue outline of arrow pointing right How does Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance work?

Since CFAR provides such extremely flexible coverage, there are a few eligibility requirements you have to meet to purchase this specific upgrade.

  • You must purchase the policy within the specific time-sensitive period (usually 1-21 days after making your first trip deposit or payment)
  • You must insure all (not just a portion) of your nonrefundable prepaid travel costs under your policy
  • You must call off your vacation at least 2 days prior to your departure date

Should you need to cancel your trip, you can file a claim under your trip cancellation benefits. If you bought CFAR coverage, the claims analyst will first see if your cancellation reason qualifies for full reimbursement under regular coverage. If not, they’ll process your claim under CFAR, which usually reimburses 75% of your trip costs.

blue outline of arrow pointing right How much does Cancel for Any Reason cost?

Like most insurance plans, pricing is mostly based on the age of the traveler and the cost of their trip. This is why it’s important to compare plans to find the most affordable option since CFAR policies can cost anywhere from 8-15% of your nonrefundable trip cost. All CFAR policies on Yonder refund 75% of your travel expenses if you decide to nix your travel plans.

blue outline of arrow pointing right Where can I find the best Cancel for Any Reason plans?

Shop the top-rated CFAR plans all in one place on Yonder Travel Insurance. To compare travel insurance policies with CFAR coverage, simply run an instant quote and select the filter displayed below. If you’re within the time-sensitive period to purchase this optional benefit, you should see plans with the CFAR displaying.

screenshot of Yonder Travel Insurance's quote results page with the Cancel for Any Reason filter selected

Our team of friendly humans can help you find a plan with the right cancellation insurance so you can plan your getaway worry-free. Give us a call or shoot us an email to walk through which travel insurance plan has the benefits you need.

To compare travel insurance policies with this benefit, simply run an instant quote and select the filter displayed below.

blue outline of arrow pointing right Is Cancel for Any Reason travel insurance worth it?

Just like the spread of COVID-19, our world can change dramatically over just a few months. If you want to protect part of your trip expenses regardless of the reason, consider CFAR coverage. Although pricey, travelers looking to be partially reimbursed for the extra flexibility usually say the peace of mind is well worth the additional premium.

beach in new zealand

Cancel for Any Reason Example #1:

You’ve booked your family getaway to Mexico and planned on staying at a vacation rental. However, due to some apprehension, you canceled the trip, even though your Airbnb had a strict cancellation policy. CFAR coverage would provide 75% reimbursement for those prepaid, non-refundable payments you made towards your getaway.

Cancel for Any Reason Example #2:

Imagine you booked a trip to Europe a year ahead, but as your departure nears, you feel uneasy due to political unrest and a family emergency. With (CFAR) coverage, you can cancel your trip for these concerns and receive a 75% reimbursement of your insured trip costs. That way, you can prioritize your family without losing your investment.

blue outline of arrow pointing right Cancel for Any Reason FAQs

Is CFAR coverage worth the extra cost?

CFAR coverage can be worth the extra cost if you want flexibility and fewer worries when booking your trip. This is especially true if you have concerns that aren’t named as covered reasons under regular trip cancellation coverage.

Can I cancel my trip at the last minute with CFAR?

No, the optional CFAR benefit requires you to break off your trip at least two days prior to departure for coverage to apply. If you cancel your trip last minute for a non-covered reason, coverage likely won’t apply.

When should I purchase Cancel for Any Reason coverage?

Book this upgrade coverage soon after booking your trip since most policies with CFAR require you to purchase the plan within 1-21 days after your initial trip deposit.

Are there exclusions with Cancel for Any Reason coverage?

Although CFAR coverage generally allows you to cancel for any reason at all, it won’t provide coverage for travel suppliers cancelling all or portions of your trip.

Do I have to buy another travel insurance plan to get CFAR coverage?

No, CFAR is typically an optional upgrade benefit you can opt for at the time of purchase if you meet the eligibility requirements.

Remember, this is a time-sensitive coverage. Be sure to reach out to an insurance expert or run an instant quote for your CFAR policy options as soon as you make an initial payment towards your trip.

With a decade of experience in the travel insurance industry, Beckah possesses intricate knowledge of travel insurance certificates and extensive skills in curating policies based on traveler's needs. She adeptly interprets traveler's concerns and provides expert travel insurance advice with an unbiased approach. Beckah is well-qualified to discuss travel insurance, whether it involves analyzing policy certificates, recommending policies to clients, or assisting them through claims.

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