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Best Travel Insurance That Includes Cancel For Any Reason Coverage

Carissa Rawson

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. 

travel insurance cancellation death

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. 

travel insurance cancellation death

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. 

travel insurance cancellation death

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

travel insurance cancellation death

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

travel insurance cancellation death

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

travel insurance cancellation death

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 

travel insurance cancellation death

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

Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

on Chase's website

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

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

travel insurance cancellation death

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Victoria Zidwick a RoamRight Blog Author

How Travel Insurance Works With a Death in the Family

In the unfortunate event that there is a death in the family, here is how your travel insurance can help. 

When you purchase travel insurance, you are trying to plan for the unexpected. In the unfortunate event that there is a death in the family, you may be eligible for coverage under your travel insurance plan.

Coverage for Trip Cancellation, Trip Delay, and Trip Interruption

Trip Cancellation is a benefit that can provide coverage for non-refundable trip payments in the event that a trip has to be cancelled for a covered reason. One covered reason for trip cancellation is the death of a family member of yours or your traveling companion.

If you have to cancel your trip due to the death of a family member and meet all the criteria for coverage as detailed by your policy, then your non-refundable, pre-paid expenses such as hotels and airfare are eligible for reimbursement.

This coverage applies to the Trip Interruption and Trip Delay benefits as well. So you may have coverage in the event you have to cut your trip short or start your trip late due to a death of a family member.

Does Your Family Member Need a Travel Insurance Policy to be Eligible for this Coverage?

No, your family member does not need to be a covered traveling companion under your travel insurance policy in order for you to be eligible for this coverage. If you are the traveler and have your own travel insurance policy, death of a family member may be covered.

Who is Considered a Family Member?

Under an Arch RoamRight travel insurance policy, the definition of “family member” is expansive. This may include you or your traveling companion’s:

  • legal spouse (or common-law spouse where legal),
  • legal guardian or ward,
  • son or daughter (adopted, foster, step or in-law),
  • brother or sister (includes step or in-law),
  • grandparent (includes in-law),
  • grandchild,
  • aunt or uncle,
  • niece or nephew,
  • domestic partner,
  • caregiver or child caregiver.

Is a relative different from that above a family member?

For the purpose of coverage under your Arch RoamRight travel insurance policy , only those listed in the definition of a family member are considered in determining your coverage.

When is a Death in the Family Not Covered?

There are some exclusions to the benefits, highlighted below, when it comes to claims related to deaths in the family. For a full details of the coverages, imitations, & exclusions please refer to your policy.

Under an Arch RoamRight travel insurance policy, death of a family member resulting from suicide is not eligible for coverage.

Pre-Existing Conditions

Death of a family member as a result of a pre-existing condition is not covered under an Arch RoamRight policy unless you and your traveling companion(s) – “the travelers” – have a policy that includes a Pre-Existing Conditions Exclusion waiver.

A pre-existing condition is defined as:

“An illness, disease, or other conditions during a specified period immediately prior to the effective date of the insured’s coverage for which the insured or insured’s traveling companion, business partner, or family member: 1) received or received a recommendation for a test, examination, or medical treatment; or 2) took or received a prescription for drugs or medicine. Item (2) of this definition does not apply to a condition which is treated or controlled solely through the taking of prescription drugs or medicine and remains treated or controlled without any adjustments or change in the required prescription throughout specified period before your coverage is effective under the policy.”

For most Arch RoamRight plans, the specified time period is 180 days, however there are a few plans that have a shorter, 60-day time period.

In order to have a Pre-Existing Conditions Exclusion waiver, you must meet the following criteria at the time of your purchase:

  • Purchase your travel insurance plan within 21 days of making your first trip payment;
  • Insure the entire non-refundable cost of your trip;
  • Must not be disabled† from travel at the time your premium is paid; and
  • This must be the first and only booking for this same time period and destination.

† For definitions, please refer to the travel insurance policy .

The Pre-Existing Conditions Exclusion waiver is available with the Arch RoamRight Preferred , Elite , Pro , and Pro Plus plans.

Related Articles

What To Do When The Worst Happens On A Trip: While we do not always want to plan for it, it is always a good idea to know what to do in an extreme emergency when traveling. Read More ->

Non-Refundable Flights & An Emergency: What To Do: These tips on what to do in an event of an emergency as it relates to non-refundable flights can be helpful when you are in a bind. Read More ->

Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.

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Arch RoamRight recently launched two plans on our website; learn the differences between the plans. 

Volcanic eruptions are natural disasters that may be covered events under Arch RoamRight travel protection plans. From minor disruptions to catastrophic events, volcanos can affect travelers around the world.

  • New Requirements for U.S. Citizens Traveling to Europe Starting in 2021 Starting in 2021, Americans visiting many popular European countries will need to go through the ETIAS process.

About the Author

Victoria zidwick.

Victoria Zidwick, a RoamRight Blog Author

Get A Free Travel Insurance Quote 

Travel smarter with travel insurance from RoamRight. Get your free, no-obligation quote online today.

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Travel Insurance

What is trip cancellation travel insurance?

Lizzie Nealon

Kara McGinley

Kara McGinley

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

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

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

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

What is trip cancellation insurance?

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

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

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

What trip cancellation insurance covers

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

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

What trip cancellation insurance does not cover

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

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

What is “cancel for any reason” coverage?  

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

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

How much does trip cancellation insurance cost?

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

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

How to get trip cancellation insurance

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

To shop for trip cancellation insurance, follow these steps. 

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

Credit card rewards and trip cancellation insurance

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

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

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

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

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lizzie Nealon

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

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

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June 1, 2020

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Trip Cancellation Insurance: Covered Reasons Explained

Trip Cancellation Covered Reasons

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Insurance benefits underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: 2 Mid America Plaza, Suite 200, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181), rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233), rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101-C series or 101-P series, depending on your state of residence and plan chosen. A+ (Superior) and A (Excellent) are the 2nd and 3rd highest, respectively, of A.M. Best's 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Plans only available to U.S. residents and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Allianz Global Assistance and Allianz Travel Insurance are marks of AGA Service Company dba Allianz Global Assistance or its affiliates. Allianz Travel Insurance products are distributed by Allianz Global Assistance, the licensed producer and administrator of these plans and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. Any Non-Insurance Assistance services purchased are provided through AGA Service Company. Except as expressly provided under your plan, you are responsible for charges you incur from third parties. Contact AGA Service Company at  800-284-8300 or 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233 or [email protected] .

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FAQ: Can travel insurance cover trip cancellation due to a death in my family?

Yes. All of our travel protection plans include Trip Cancellation coverage that reimburses your trip costs if you cancel for a covered reason . One of those reasons is a traveling or non-traveling family member being hospitalized or passing away due to an illness or injury and you are unable to take your trip. The hospitalization or death must occur while your travel insurance coverage is in effect.

It’s very important that you understand who is considered a “family member” when you buy travel insurance with this in mind. See our definition of Family Member for more details.

Pro tip: The death of a family member is also a covered reason for our Trip Interruption benefit , in case trouble strikes back home during your trip.

Travel Insurance Coverage for Deaths in the Family: What to Know

The passing of a family member is a terrible experience, but the stress can increase when you also need to cancel a trip you previously booked. Generali Global Assistance offers travel protection that can cover prepaid trip costs that would otherwise be nonrefundable.

It may seem unlikely that you’ll need travel insurance to cover the cost of a trip in case you experience a death in the family, but you never know what might happen. Travel insurance is designed to help cover these types of just-in-case scenarios, helping you get your money back for a trip you can no longer take.

Who Is Considered a Family Member? 

Before you purchase trip cancellation travel insurance , it’s essential to know who's covered and who's considered a family member. Covered family members include:

  • Traveling companions (a person traveling with you and staying in the same accommodations)
  • Insured’s or Traveling Companion’s Spouse
  • Grandparent, great-grandparent, grandchild or great-grandchild
  • Stepparent, stepchild or stepsibling
  • Son-in-law or daughter-in-law
  • Brother-in-law or sister-in-law
  • Aunt or uncle
  • Niece or nephew
  • Legal guardian

Foster child or legal wardTrip Cancellation travel insurance coverage reimburses nonrefundable, prepaid costs for canceled trips resulting from the death of a family member on the above list, whether or not you were supposed to travel with them.

Trip interruptions — which happen during your trip — are also covered in each of our three plan options. This insurance coverage covers trip costs that you can't use in case you have to end your vacation and return home due to a death of a family member.

This coverage may provide up to 100% reimbursement of trip costs for Trip Cancellation and up to 150% of trip cost reimbursement for Trip Interruption coverage (depending on plan selection), so extra costs can be accounted for.

Is There a Specific Timeline for Eligibility? 

Trip Cancellation insurance coverage starts at 12:01 a.m., the day after you buy the plan. This means you’re covered until your scheduled departure time should a family member pass away between the day after you buy the coverage and your departure day. Trip Interruption coverage takes over once you leave for your trip and ends on your scheduled return date.

Pre-existing Conditions

The rules concerning coverage for pre-existing medical conditions only apply to the travelers, and do not apply for non-traveling family members.

What if I Die During My Trip?

If you die during your trip, Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage is part of our plans and can provide compensation to your beneficiaries.

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Best Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance

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

Our picks for the best cancel for any reason travel insurance

Best overall: seven corners travel insurance.

  • Best value: Travel Guard
  • Best for adventurers: Travelex Travel Insurance
  • Best for popularity: Trawick International Travel Insurance
  • Best for cruises and tours: AXA Assistance USA
  • Best for quick protection: TravelSafe Insurance

How we rate CFAR insurance »

Compare the best cancel for any reason travel insurance

While CFAR insurance can simplify your claims process for trip cancellations, it comes with its downsides. For one, CFAR insurance is more expensive than regular travel insurance. Additionally, you will only receive a percentage of your nonrefundable trip costs if you cancel a trip. As a result, when choosing the companies in this guide, we looked at the best recovery policies and the lowest additional costs for CFAR insurance.

These are our picks for the best CFAR travel insurance companies in 2024. 

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

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

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

Read our Seven Corners Travel Insurance review here.

Best value: AIG Travel Guard

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

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

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

Read our AIG Travel Guard Insurance review here.

Best for adventurers: Travelex

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

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

Read our Travelex Insurance review here.

Best for popularity: Trawick 

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

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

Read our Trawick Travel Insurance review here.

Best for Cruises: A XA Assistance USA

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

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

Read our AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance review here

Best for convenience: TravelSafe

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

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

Read our TravelSafe Insurance review here.

Understanding 'Cancel for Any Reason' Coverage

Key features.

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

How CFAR Differs from Standard Policies

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

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

How to Pick The Best CFAR Travel Insurance Plan for You

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

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

Steps to Choosing CFAR Coverage

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

How we reviewed CFAR travel insurance

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

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

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

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

Read our insurance rating methodology for more details.

How do I purchase CFAR insurance?

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

Can I purchase CFAR insurance for annual plans?

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

What percentage of my trip cost will CFAR insurance reimburse?

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

Is cancel for any reason travel insurance worth it?

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

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

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

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Best Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance

  • Trip Cancellation

What is Trip Cancellation travel insurance?

Trip Cancellation is a pre-departure benefit that provides reimbursement for prepaid and non-refundable travel expenses if a trip is canceled due to unforeseen circumstances.

While coverage limits vary by policy, most Trip Cancellation plans will reimburse up to 100% of a traveler’s trip costs if they need to cancel their trip for a covered reason. The most common covered reason is unforeseen illness, injury, or death of the traveler, a traveling companion, or a non-traveling family member. Other common covered reasons include terrorism , inclement weather , or a natural disaster, among others.

Not being able to travel as planned is a major concern among travelers. This benefit provides you with peace of mind and protects common trip expenses. This can include any prepaid airfare, hotel accommodations, excursions, tours, and cruises.

Need help choosing the right provider for your trip? Read the travel insurance reviews from real and verified travelers.

A wide-range of unforeseen events can happen before a trip that can prevent you from traveling. Fortunately, Trip Cancellation insurance can offer financial protection if you need to cancel your travel plans for a reason covered by your policy.

Most best travel insurance policies will include cover the following cancellation reasons:

  • Cancel for Medical Reasons: Offers reimbursement if an unforeseen illness, injury, or death to a traveler, travel companion, or a non-traveling family member prevents you from traveling.
  • Hurricane & Weather: Travelers can be reimbursed for unused, non-refundable trip expenses in the event of a weather event that prevents travel at the destination or at a person’s home. Travelers must have a policy before a storm is named for coverage to apply.
  • Terrorism: Most travel insurance plans will cover travelers that need to cancel their trip due to a foreign terrorist attack that occurs near a city listed on their itineraries. The attack must take place within a specific time frame for coverage to apply, typically 7-30 days from your intended arrival date.
  • Financial Default: Travelers can receive reimbursement for cancellation due to the financial default of their common carrier and can include airlines, cruise lines, and tour operators.
  • Cancel for Work Reasons: If a person has to cancel their trip for work-related reasons, they can receive reimbursement for their insured costs associated with their trip. Covered reasons most commonly include being involuntary terminated or having vacation time revoked.
  • Cancel for Covid-19 Sickness: During the recent pandemic, many travel insurance providers included contracting Covid-19 as a covered cancellation reason. In order for coverage to be available, the traveler must be healthy when they purchase their policy.
  • Jury Duty: Many comprehensive travel insurance plans will reimburse travelers that can no longer travel due to unexpected jury duty obligations.

Please be aware that coverage and eligibility requirements for this benefit differ by policy. The tables below show the providers that offer Trip Cancellation coverage.

Every travel insurance company will have their own specific exclusions when it comes to Trip Cancellation coverage. These exclusions will be explicitly listed in the policy details prior to purchase.

Below are a few common cancellation reasons that are not typically covered by Trip Cancellation policies:

  • Foreseeable events known at the time of purchasing a plan, such as an already-announced airline strike or a named storm
  • Pre-Existing Conditions unless otherwise stated in your policy
  • Self-inflicted injuries
  • Acts of war that occur at your destination
  • Felony or other criminal activities

Cancel for Any Reason Coverage

For more flexibility leading up to a trip, it’s possible to add Cancel For Any Reason coverage, also known as CFAR , to your trip. This optional Trip Cancellation benefit allows travelers to receive partial reimbursement if they cancel their trip for any uncovered reason, such as those listed above.

Most CFAR plans can reimburse up to 75% of prepaid and non-refundable trip payments. Keep in mind, this benefit is not typically included in standard travel insurance coverage, and it can increase the cost of a premium up to 50%.

A comprehensive trip insurance that includes cancellation coverage typically costs between 5-10% of the total covered trip cost. With that said, the cost of a plan will vary depending on your specific trip information. The main factors that determine a policy’s premium are the traveler’s trip cost, age, and the length of their trip.

Trip Cancellation insurance coverage is not required, but can be a good option for many travelers who want to protect their trip expenses. If a traveler gets sick or injured before their trip, cancellation coverage can reimburse the traveler for the trip costs they miss.

Most cancellation plans are comprehensive, and include other valuable travel insurance benefits. Typically, plans that include Trip Cancellation will also offer coverage for trip delays, medical coverage, and medical evacuations. With that said, each situation is unique, and Trip Cancellation coverage doesn’t always make sense for everyone. If a traveler doesn’t have non-refundable trip costs, Trip Cancellation coverage typically isn’t necessary. Furthermore, some travelers have trip protection from other sources, such as insurance through their travel credit card.

In short, Trip Cancellation is a pre-departure benefit, while Trip Interruption is a post-departure benefit. Most Trip Cancellation insurance policies will include Trip Interruption as well. Trip Interruption offers the same covered reasons as Trip Cancellation, however coverage begins after a traveler has left for their trip. This benefit can reimburse travelers if a portion of a trip is missed or they need to cut their trip short due to a covered reason.

Trip Cancellation by Provider

  • Travel Delay
  • Hurricane & Weather
  • Missed Connection
  • Cancel For Any Reason
  • Cancel for Covid-19 Sickness
  • Trip Interruption
  • Financial Default
  • Employment Layoff
  • Cancel For Medical Reasons
  • Cancel For Work Reasons
  • Interruption For Any Reason
  • Medical Coverage for Covid-19
  • Emergency Medical
  • Pre-Existing Condition
  • Co-Insurance
  • Medical Deductible
  • Home Country Coverage
  • Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
  • Non-Medical Evacuation
  • Extension Of Coverage
  • Baggage Delay
  • Baggage & Personal Items Loss
  • 24 Hour AD&D
  • Flight Only AD&D
  • Common Carrier AD&D
  • Sports & Activities
  • Sports Equipment Loss
  • Sports Equipment Delay
  • Sports Weather Loss
  • Search & Rescue
  • Sports Fees
  • Rental Car Damage
  • Money Back Guarantee
  • 24 Hour Assistance Service
  • Identity Theft
  • Renewable Policy
  • Maximum Trip Length
  • Maximum Number of Trips
  • Additional Benefits

Additional Information

  • AM Best Ratings

U.S. News takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

9 Best Travel Insurance Companies of 2024

According to our analysis of more than 50 travel insurance companies and hundreds of different travel insurance plans, the best travel insurance company is Travelex Insurance Services. In our best travel insurance ratings, we take into account traveler reviews, credit ratings and industry awards. The best travel insurance companies offer robust coverage and excellent customer service, and many offer customizable add-ons.

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Travelex Insurance Services »

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Allianz Travel Insurance »

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HTH Travel Insurance »

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Tin Leg »

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AIG Travel Guard »

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Nationwide Insurance »

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Seven Corners »

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Generali Global Assistance »

Berkshire hathaway travel protection ».

Why Trust Us

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

Table of Contents

  • Travelex Insurance Services
  • Allianz Travel Insurance

Travel insurance can help you protect the financial investment you made in your vacation when unexpected issues arise. Find the best travel insurance for the type of trip(s) you're taking and the coverages that matter most to you – from interruptions and misplaced belongings to illness and injury.

  • Travelex Insurance Services: Best Overall
  • Allianz Travel Insurance: Best for Trip Interruptions
  • HTH Travel Insurance: Best for Groups
  • Tin Leg: Best Cost
  • AIG Travel Guard: Best for Families
  • Nationwide Insurance: Best for Last-Minute Travel Insurance
  • Seven Corners: Best for 24/7 Support When Traveling
  • Generali Global Assistance: Best for Medical Emergencies
  • Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection: Best for Specialized Coverage

Customizable upgrades are available, including car rental coverage, additional medical insurance and adventure sports coverage

Medical and trip cancellation maximum are not as high as some other companies

  • 100% of the insured trip cost for trip cancellation; 150% for trip interruption
  • Up to $1,000 in coverage for lost, damaged or stolen bags and personal items; $200 for luggage delays
  • $750 in missed connection coverage
  • $50,000 in emergency medical and dental coverage
  • Up to $500,000 in emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage

SEE FULL REVIEW »

Annual and multitrip policies are available

Distinguishing between the company's 10 travel insurance plans can be challenging

  • Up to $200,000 in trip cancellation coverage; $300,000 in trip interruption coverage
  • $2,000 for lost, damaged or stolen luggage and personal effects; $600 for bag delays
  • Up to $1,600 for travel delays
  • Emergency medical coverage of up to $75,000
  • Epidemic coverage

Generous coverage at the mid- and high-tier levels, and great group discounts

Preexisting conditions coverage is only available at mid- and high-tier plans

  • 100% trip cancellation coverage (up to $50,000); 200% trip interruption coverage
  • Up to $2,000 in coverage for baggage and personal effects; $400 in baggage delay coverage
  • Up to $2,000 in coverage for trip delays; $1,000 for missed connections
  • $500,000 in coverage per person for sickness and accidents

Variety of plans to choose from, including two budget-friendly policies and several more premium options

More limited coverage for baggage issues than other companies

  • 100% trip cancellation protection; 150% trip interruption
  • $500 per person for lost, stolen or damaged baggage and personal items
  • Up to $2,000 per person in travel delay coverage ($150 per day); $100 per person for missed connections
  • $100,000 per person in emergency medical coverage, including issues related to COVID-19

Travel insurance policy coverage is tailored to your specific trip

Information about policy coverage inclusions is not readily available without first obtaining a quote

  • Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of your trip's cost; trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
  • Up to $2,500 in coverage for lost, stolen or damaged baggage; $500 related to luggage delays
  • Up to $1,000 in missed connection and trip delay coverage
  • $100,000 in emergency medical coverage

Variety of plans to choose from and coverage available up to a day before you leave on your trip

Limited trip cancellation coverage even at the highest tier

  • Trip cancellation coverage up to $30,000; trip interruption coverage worth up to 200% of the trip cost (maximum of $60,000)
  • $2,000 for lost, damaged or stolen baggage; $600 for baggage delays
  • Up to $2,000 for trip delays; missed connection and itinerary change coverage of $500 each
  • $150,000 for emergency medical and dental issues

Customer service available 24/7 via text, Whatsapp, email and phone

Cancel for any reason coverage costs extra

  • 100% trip cancellation coverage (up to between $30,000 and $100,000 depending on your state of residence); interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost 
  • Lost, stolen or damaged baggage coverage up to $2,500; up to $600 for luggage delays
  • Trip delay and missed connection coverage worth up to $1,500
  • Emergency medical coverage worth up to between $250,000 and $500,000 (depending on where you live)

Generous emergency medical and emergency evacuation coverage

Coverage for those with preexisting conditions is only available on the Premium plan

  • 100% reimbursement for trip cancellation; 175% reimbursement for trip interruption
  • $2,000 in coverage for loss of baggage per person
  • $1,000 per person in travel delay and missed connection coverage
  • $250,000 in medical and dental coverage per person

In addition to single-trip plans, company offers specific road trip, adventure travel, flight and cruise insurance coverage

Coverage for missed connections or accidental death and dismemberment is not part of the most basic plan

  • Trip cancellation coverage worth up to 100% of the trip cost; interruption coverage worth up to 150% of the trip cost
  • $500 in coverage for lost, stolen or damaged bags and personal items; bag delay coverage worth $200
  • Trip delay coverage worth up to $1,000; missed connection coverage worth up to $100
  • Medical coverage worth up to $50,000

To help you better understand the costs associated with travel insurance, we requested quotes for a weeklong June 2024 trip to Spain for a solo traveler, a couple and a family. These rates should help you get a rough estimate for about how much you can expect to spend on travel insurance. For additional details on specific coverage from each travel insurance plan and to input your trip information for a quote, see our comparison table below.

Travel Insurance Types: Which One Is Right for You?

There are several types of travel insurance you'll want to evaluate before choosing the policy that's right for you. A few of the most popular types of travel insurance include:

COVID travel insurance Select insurance plans offer some or a combination of the following COVID-19-related protections: coverage for rapid or PCR testing; accommodations if you're required to quarantine during your trip if you test positive for coronavirus; health care; and trip cancellations due to you or a family member testing positive for COVID-19. Read more about the best COVID-19 travel insurance options .

Cancel for any reason insurance Cancel for any reason travel insurance works exactly how it sounds. This type of travel insurance lets you cancel your trip for any reason you want – even if your reason is that you simply decide you no longer want to go. Cancel for any reason travel insurance is typically an add-on you can purchase to go along with other types of travel insurance. For that reason, you will pay more to have this kind of coverage added to your policy.

Also note that this type of coverage typically only reimburses 50% to 80% of your nonrefundable prepaid travel expenses. You'll want to make sure you know exactly how much reimbursement you could qualify for before you invest in this type of policy. Compare the best cancel for any reason travel insurance options here .

International travel insurance Travel insurance is especially useful when traveling internationally, as it can provide medical coverage for emergencies (in some cases for COVID-19) when you're far from home. Depending which international travel insurance plan you choose, this type of travel insurance can also cover lost or delayed luggage, rental cars, travel interruptions or cancellations, and more.

Cheap travel insurance If you want travel insurance but don't want to spend a lot of money, there are plenty of cheap travel insurance options that will offer at least some protections (and peace of mind). These are typically called a company's basic or standard plan; many travel insurance companies even allow you to customize your coverage, spending as little or as much as you want. Explore your options for the cheapest travel insurance here .

Trip cancellation, interruption and delay insurance Trip cancellation coverage can help you get reimbursement for prepaid travel expenses, such as your airfare and cruise fare, if your trip is ultimately canceled for a covered reason. Trip interruption insurance, on the other hand, kicks in to reimburse you if your trip is derailed after it starts. For instance, if you arrived at your destination and became gravely ill, it would cover the cost if you had to cut your trip short.

Trip delay insurance can help you qualify for reimbursement of any unexpected expenses you incur (think: lodging, transportation and food) in the event your trip is delayed for reasons beyond your control, such as your flight being canceled and rebooked for the next day. You will want to save your receipts to substantiate your claim if you have this coverage.

Lost, damaged, delayed or stolen bags or personal belongings Coverage for lost or stolen bags can come in handy if your checked luggage is lost by your airline or your luggage is delayed so long that you have to buy clothing and toiletries for your trip. This type of coverage can kick in to cover the cost to replace lost or stolen items you brought on your trip. It can also provide coverage for the baggage itself. It's even possible that your travel insurance policy will pay for your flight home if damages are caused to your residence and your belongings while you're away, forcing you to return home immediately.

Travel medical insurance If you find yourself sick or injured while you are on vacation, emergency medical coverage can pay for your medical expenses. With that in mind, however, you will need to find out whether the travel medical insurance you buy is primary or secondary. Where a primary policy can be used right away to cover medical bills incurred while you travel, secondary coverage only provides reimbursement after you have exhausted other medical policies you have.

You will also need to know how the travel medical coverage you purchase deals with any preexisting conditions you have, including whether you will have any coverage for preexisting conditions at all. Read more about the best travel medical insurance plans .

Evacuation insurance Imagine you break your leg while on the side of a mountain in some far-flung land without quality health care. Not only would you need travel medical insurance coverage in that case, but you would also need coverage for the exorbitant expense involved in getting you off the side of a mountain and flying you home where you can receive appropriate medical care.

Evacuation coverage can come in handy if you need it, but you will want to make sure any coverage you buy comes with incredibly high limits. According to Squaremouth, an emergency evacuation can easily cost $25,000 in North America and up to $50,000 in Europe, so the site typically suggests customers buy policies with $50,000 to $100,000 in emergency evacuation coverage.

Cruise insurance Travel delays; missed connections, tours or excursions; and cruise ship disablement (when a ship encounters a mechanical issue and is unable to continue on in the journey) are just a few examples why cruise insurance can be a useful protection if you've booked a cruise vacation. Learn more about the top cruise insurance plans here .

Credit card travel insurance It is not uncommon to find credit cards that include trip cancellation and interruption coverage , trip delay insurance, lost or delayed baggage coverage, travel accident insurance, and more. Cards that offer this coverage include popular options like the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card , the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card and The Platinum Card from American Express . 

Note that owning a credit card with travel insurance protection is not enough for your coverage to count: To take advantage of credit card travel insurance, you must pay for prepaid travel expenses like your airfare, hotel stay or cruise with that specific credit card. Also, note that credit cards with travel insurance have their own list of exclusions to watch out for. Many also require cardholders to pay an annual fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best time to buy travel insurance is normally within a few weeks of booking your trip since you may qualify for lower pricing if you book early. Keep in mind, some travel insurance providers allow you to purchase plans until the day before you depart.

Many times, you are given the option to purchase travel insurance when you book your airfare, accommodations or vacation package. Travel insurance and travel protection are frequently offered as add-ons for your trip, meaning you can pay for your vacation and some level of travel insurance at the same time.

However, many people choose to wait to buy travel insurance until after their entire vacation is booked and paid for. This helps travelers tally up all the underlying costs associated with a trip, and then choose their travel insurance provider and the level of coverage they want.

Figuring out where to buy travel insurance may be confusing but you can easily research and purchase travel insurance online these days. Some consumers prefer to shop around with a specific provider, such as Allianz or Travelex, but you can also shop and compare policies with a travel insurance platform. Popular options include:

  • TravelInsurance.com: TravelInsurance.com offers travel insurance options from more than a dozen vetted insurance providers. Users can read reviews on the various travel insurance providers to find out more about previous travelers' experiences with them. Squaremouth: With Squaremouth, you can enter your trip details and compare more than 90 travel insurance plans from 20-plus providers.
  • InsureMyTrip: InsureMyTrip works similarly, letting you shop around and compare plans from more than 20 travel insurance providers in one place. InsureMyTrip also offers several guarantees, including a Best Price Guarantee, a Best Plan Guarantee and a Money-Back Guarantee that promises a full refund if you decide you no longer need the plan you purchased.

Protect your trip: Search, compare and buy the best travel insurance plans for the lowest price. Get a quote .

When you need to file a travel insurance claim, you should plan on explaining to your provider what happened to your trip and why you think your policy applies. If you planned to go on a Caribbean cruise, but your husband fell gravely ill the night before you were set to depart, you would need to explain that situation to your travel insurance company. Information you should share with your provider includes the details of why you're making a claim, who was involved and the exact circumstances of your loss.

Documentation is important, and your travel insurance provider will ask for proof of what happened. Required documentation for travel insurance typically includes any proof of a delay, receipts, copies of medical bills and more.

Most travel insurance companies let you file a claim using an online form, but some also allow you to file a claim by phone or via fax. Some travel insurance providers, such as Allianz and Travel Insured International, offer their own mobile apps you can use to buy policies and upload information or documents that substantiate your claim. In any case, you will need to provide the company with proof of your claim and the circumstances that caused it.

If your claim is initially denied, you may also need to answer some questions or submit some additional information that can highlight why you do, in fact, qualify.

Whatever you do, be honest and forthcoming with all the information in your claim. Also, be willing to provide more information or answer any questions when asked.

Travel insurance claims typically take four to six weeks to process once you file with your insurance company. However, with various flight delays and cancellations due to things like extreme weather and pilot shortages, more travelers have begun purchasing travel insurance, encountering trip issues and having to submit claims. The higher volume of claims submitted has resulted in slower turnaround times at some insurance companies.

The longer you take to file your travel insurance claim after a loss, the longer you will be waiting for reimbursement. Also note that, with many travel insurance providers, there is a time limit on how long you can submit claims after a trip. For example, with Allianz Travel Insurance and Travelex Insurance Services, you have 90 days from the date of your loss to file a claim.

You may be able to expedite the claim if you provide all the required information upfront, whereas the process could drag on longer than it needs to if you delay filing a claim or the company has to follow up with you to get more information.

Travel insurance is never required, and only you can decide whether or not it's right for you. Check out Is Travel Insurance Worth It? to see some common situations where it does (and doesn't) make sense.

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 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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Introduction to AXA Travel Insurance

  • Coverage Options Offered by AXA
  • AXA Assistance USA Cost

AXA Customer Service Reviews

Compare axa travel insurance.

  • Why You Should Trust Us

AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance Review 2024

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

Travel insurance is important because it can help cover the cost of unexpected medical expenses while you're traveling. It can also reimburse you for lost or stolen baggage, canceled flights, and other unforeseeable problems that may occur while you're away from home.

Simply put, there's a lot to consider.

But not all policies are created equal, and you must understand what you're covered for before you purchase a policy. This article will look in-depth at AXA Assistance USA travel insurance. We'll discuss the costs, coverage limits, exclusions, and more to help you make an informed decision about whether or not this particular travel insurance provider is right for you.

AXA AXA Assistance USA

  • Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the trip cost
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical evacuation coverage
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1,500 per person coverage for missed connections on cruises and tours
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Covers loss of ski, sports and golf equipment
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage ceilings per person
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage only available for most expensive Platinum plan
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR coverage ceiling only reaches $50,000 maximum despite going up to 75%

AXA Assistance USA keeps travel insurance simple with gold, silver, and platinum plans. Emergency medical and CFAR are a couple of the options you can expect. Read on to learn more about AXA.

  • Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans available
  • Trip interruption coverage of up to 150% of the trip cost
  • Emergency medical coverage of up to $250,000

AXA Assistance USA is among the best travel insurance companies . It covers the fundamentals of travel insurance, with coverage for trip cancellations, medical expenses, and emergency medical/non-medical evacuation. With three plans, AXA also offers coverage for travelers with various budgets.

It's worth noting that many important add-ons aren't available for AXA's cheapest Silver plan, such as pre-existing condition coverage, rental car add-ons, and Schengen travel insurance. Cancel for any reason coverage is also only available for AXA's most expensive Platinum plan. 

Coverage Options Offered by AXA 

AXA Assistance USA offers three levels of coverage: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each plan comes with different protections and varying coverage limits, with the Silver being the most basic option and Platinum offering the most premium coverage.

Some policies might even include added coverage free of charge, such as a waiver for pre-existing conditions , which is free for Gold and Platinum plans as long as you purchase your plan within 14 days of your trip deposit.

Specialized Coverage Options

The plan you purchase will determine which add-ons are available. For example, those with a Platinum plan can add CFAR (cancel for any reason) coverage , allowing you to receive a full refund if you cancel your trip within 14 days of making the initial deposit.

Or, if you want extra protection for your rental car, depending on your AXA plan, you might be able to add a collision damage waiver (CDW). Policyholders with Gold plans can add $35,000 CDW, and those with Platinum plans can include $50,000 CDW.

If you're traveling within the Schengen Territory, which is made up of 27 European countries, you may eligible for Schengen Travel Insurance, which covers you in all 27 countries. This option is only available for Gold and Platinum travelers and coverage lasts up to 90 days.

AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance Cost

The premium you pay will depend on various factors, including the age of the travelers, destination, and total trip costs. The average cost of travel insurance is 4% to 8% of your travel costs.

After inputting some personal information, such as your age and state of residence, along with your trip details, like travel dates, destination, and trip costs, you'll get an instant quote for the plans available for your trip. And from there, it's easy to compare each option based on your coverage needs and budget.

Now let's look at a few examples to estimate AXA's coverage costs.

As of 2024, a 23-year-old from Illinois taking a week-long, $3,000 budget trip to Italy would have the following  AXA travel insurance quotes:

  • AXA Silver: $83
  • AXA Gold: $107
  • AXA Platinum: $127

Premiums for AXA plans are between 2.7% and 4.2% of the trip's cost, well below the average cost of travel insurance. It's also relatively cheap compared to many of its competitors

AXA provides the following quotes for a 30-year-old traveler from California heading to Japan for two weeks on a $4,000 trip:

  • AXA Silver: $109
  • AXA Gold: $128
  • AXA Platinum: $153

Once again, premiums forAXA plans are between 3.6% and 3.8%, below the average cost for travel insurance.

A 65-year-old couple looking to escape New York for Mexico for two weeks with a trip cost of $6,000 would have the following AXA quotes:

  • AXA Silver: $392
  • AXA Gold: $462
  • AXA Platinum: $550

Premiums for AXA plans are between 6.5% and 9.2%, which is roughly in line with the average cost for travel insurance. This is to be expected, as travel insurance is often more expensive for older travelers.

How to Purchase and Manage Your AXA Policy

The process of purchasing an AXA policy is simple. After obtaining your quote, you'll need to decide which of AXA's three plans you want to buy. When you pay for your plan, be prepared to provide additional personal information, like your birthday, phone number, and address. 

Once you finalize your purchase, you'll have a 10-day free look period, in which you can cancel your policy and get your money back. 

How to File a Claim with AXA Travel Insurance

To file a claim with AXA Assistance USA, head to the claims forms online to find the appropriate form. Once you've filled out your form and gathered the required documentation, you can email them to [email protected] or send them by mail to:

AXA Assistance USA

On Behalf of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies

P.O. Box 26222

Tampa, FL 33623

If you need assistance when filing claims, AXA's claims office can be reached at 1-888-957-5015 (within the U.S.) and 1-727-450-8794 (outside the U.S.). Office hours are 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. ET on Thursdays and 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. ET on all other weekdays. 

AXA's U.S. branch has few reviews on Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau — just over 20 between the two sites. Its UK branch has over 1,100 reviews, most of which are overwhelmingly negative. However, the quality of AXA Travel Insurance UK isn't necessarily indicative of its U.S. coverage. 

In fact, on SquareMouth, where the majority of AXA U.S.'s reviews, reviews are generally positive. It received an average of 4.22 stars out of five across over 900 reviews. Customers reported that adjusting an AXA policy was easy and the customer service team was responsive. However, reviews on the claims process was more mixed, with spotty communication and long wait times. 

See how AXA travel insurance compares to top travel insurance providers.

AXA Assistance USA vs. AIG Travel Guard

When comparing AXA to Travel Guard , we'll look at the coverage levels from their mid-tier plans, the Silver plan and Travel Guard Preferred plan, respectively.

With Travel Guard Preferred plan, you'll get:

  • Trip cancellation coverage up to $150,000
  • Trip interruption coverage up to $225,000
  • Emergency medical coverage of $50,000
  • Coverage for baggage loss, theft, or damage up to $1,000
  • Travel delay coverage of up to $800

Comparing those Travel Guard coverages with AXA's Silver plan, you'll see that AXA's coverage limits are a bit higher. With AXA's Silver plan you'll get $100,000 in emergency medical coverage, for example. And the baggage loss coverage limit is up to $1,500.

If you're looking for greater coverage limits, AXA makes the most sense in this scenario. But premiums will also vary based on factors like the traveler's age, trip destination, and trip cost. So you'll have to run your own numbers to make a final decision.

Read our AIG Travel Insurance review here.

AXA Assistance USA vs. Allianz Travel Insurance

Allianz Travel Insurance provides single-trip and multi-trip insurance for travelers who want to go abroad for an extended period of time. And, like with all insurance, the various plans have varying degrees of coverage.

Allianz Travel Insurance's most popular single-trip option is the OneTrip Prime plan, which offers:

  • Trip cancellation coverage up to $100,000
  • Trip interruption coverage up to $150,000
  • Emergency medical coverage for $50,000
  • Coverage for baggage loss, theft or damage up to $1,000
  • Travel delay coverage up to $800

Looking at AXA's mid-tier Silver plan, you'll see that, again, AXA offers more coverage for emergency medical and baggage loss, theft, or damage than Allianz Travel Insurance. That said, if cost is an essential factor for you, you'll have to get quotes using your personal trip information to make an informed decision.

Read our Allianz Travel Insurance review here.

AXA Assistance USA vs. Credit Card Travel Insurance

Already have a great travel credit card, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or American Express Platinum? Some of the standard coverages, such as rental car insurance, may be included in the card you already have. It's a good idea to research the terms of your credit card's travel protection before purchasing a separate travel insurance policy.

If you're driving to your destination and don't have any non-refundable trip expenses, the coverage from your credit card may be enough. Another time it might work is if you have health insurance covering you while abroad and you're in good health without worrying about possible medical costs.

It's essential to remember that credit card coverage is usually secondary. This means you'll have to file a claim with the other applicable insurance before filing a claim with your credit card company.

Read our guide on the best credit cards with travel insurance here.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed AXA Assistance USA

We researched AXA by evaluating its travel insurance plans compared to other plans from the top travel insurance companies. The aspects we looked at included, but were not limited to, different coverage options, claims limits, what is covered, available add-ons, and extra services for policy holders.

What's important when choosing a policy isn't just the price — it's making sure you're getting adequate coverage that meets your needs without breaking the bank. Filing a claim should also be easy and stress-free if you ever have to use your policy.

Read more about how Business Insider rates insurance products here.

AXA Assistance USA FAQs

If you're diagnosed with COVID-19 before a trip and need to cancel, AXA may cover your expenses. Additionally, a COVID-19 diagnosis during a trip may be covered under AXA's medical expense, trip interruption, and trip delay benefits. Be sure to review your policy to ensure coverage details. 

While you may extend your coverage in certain circumstances, such as extended hospitalization, and update your travel dates prior to your departure, you can't extend AXA travel insurance plans while you're traveling. 

AXA's Gold and Platinum plan cover pre-existing medical conditions as long as you purchase your policy within 14 days of your initial trip deposit. AXA's Silver plan does not cover pre-existing conditions and has a 60-day look-back period. 

You can download AXA claims forms on its website and email them to [email protected].

AXA isn't the most flexible travel insurance company and isn't great at specializing, but it offers comprehensive general coverage. Its prices aren't significantly more expensive or cheaper than its competitors.

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Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Travel Insurance – 10 Frequently Asked Questions [2024]

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Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Travel Insurance – 10 Frequently Asked Questions [2024]

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Overview

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card remains one of the most popular travel rewards credit cards for numerous reasons. Alongside excellent earning rates and a fair amount of benefits that justify the $95 annual fee, the card also offers numerous shopping and travel insurance benefits.

If you’re like most people, you hear the word “insurance,” and your eyelids start feeling heavy. Let’s be honest: Insurance isn’t thrilling. The terminology can feel confusing, leaving you with many questions about what exactly the travel insurance on your Chase Sapphire Preferred card does and doesn’t cover.

You have questions, and we have answers. Here’s a simple look at your most common questions about travel insurance on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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

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

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

  • 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
  • 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
  • $95 annual fee
  • No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
  • Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel SM .
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel SM , 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel SM . For example, 75,000 points are worth $937.50 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
  • Member FDIC
  • APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
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Chase Ultimate Rewards

Before moving any further, let’s ensure you’re familiar with the long list of travel protections built into the Chase Sapphire Preferred card :

  • Auto rental collision damage waiver
  • Baggage delay insurance
  • Lost luggage reimbursement
  • Travel accident insurance
  • Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance
  • Trip delay reimbursement

You’ll also enjoy several other cardholder benefits and protections beyond travel insurance :

  • Extended warranty protection
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Purchase protection
  • Roadside dispatch
  • Travel and emergency assistance

Some of the benefits seem more obvious than others. And, as with all insurance, there are always specific terms to understand, exclusions to mind, and coverage limits . Let’s clear some of those up.

1. What Flight Insurance Does the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Have?

When flying, you’ll have 2 types of insurance: travel accident insurance and trip cancellation and interruption insurance. Both types are in effect for trips for which you paid at least a portion of the cost with your Chase Sapphire Preferred card. Let’s look at each benefit.

Travel accident insurance applies to you and your immediate family members if one of you becomes permanently injured or dies while traveling. The cardholder benefit guide lists specific dollar amounts that you can be paid for specific injury types. The coverage is further divided into 2 categories: traveling on a common carrier and 24-hour coverage .

Coverage related to a common carrier covers both injuries and death resulting from your travel on a licensed air, land, or sea transport that regularly carries paying passengers . Think planes and ferries, for example. You’ll also be covered while at an airport, terminal, or station immediately before or after a trip, including courtesy transport to or from these places if provided as part of your trip. If your flight booking includes the airline picking you up from the hotel, this could be covered if all other conditions are met.

The 24-hour coverage applies around the clock and is valid on trips of up to 30 days. If you take a trip longer than this, coverage will end 1 minute after midnight on the 31st day, though it would come back into effect when you are in transportation to the airport for your flight home. If you drive yourself to the airport, coverage should resume once you are inside the airport .

LGA AA economy check in

This benefit reimburses you for the money you lose when a trip paid for (in whole or part) with your card is interrupted or canceled. Trip interruption is when you’ve started the trip and must end it early for a covered reason; trip cancellation applies to canceling a trip before it begins. The maximum benefit payout here is $10,000 per person and up to $20,000 per trip. Both the cardholder and immediate family members are covered.

Trip cancellation coverage begins when you make your first deposit toward the trip and ends when you depart on your scheduled departure date. Trip interruption starts on your scheduled departure date and ends on your scheduled return date. However, if these dates or times are adjusted for reasons beyond your or the carrier’s control, the benefit will adjust automatically .

What expenses are reimbursable? They include nonrefundable, prepaid travel expenses by a licensed supplier, such as a travel agency, hotel, shore excursion agency, etc. When canceling for a covered reason, you’re also covered for redeposit fees to get your airline miles back. Unfortunately, this benefit doesn’t cover lost money you paid for tickets to shows or theme parks, tee times at golf courses, museums, or other entrance fees unless they’re part of a tour package.

You’ll be covered for a few more situations with trip interruption coverage only . These include fees for returning a rental car early or to the nearest facility and up to $250 of expenses to transport you for necessary medical treatment. However, that doesn’t include medical transport (such as ambulances or medevac).

What if you paid with Chase Ultimate Rewards points and are due a refund under these benefits? You’ll be reimbursed according to the value on your travel supplier’s confirmation receipt, assuming that’s listed. If there’s no trip value listed on the receipt after you paid with points, you’ll be reimbursed at a value of 1 cent per point.

Covered Reasons

Not every reason for canceling a trip or ending it early is covered under these benefits. Covered reasons include accidental death or injury, a sickness requiring hospitalization, severe weather, a named storm warning, a change in military orders, a subpoena or call to jury duty, your home being burglarized or becoming uninhabitable, your hotel becoming uninhabitable, a public transportation strike that makes you miss 20% of a trip or a scheduled tour departure, and more. Consult the Chase Sapphire Preferred card benefits guide to see if your specific cancellation or interruption reason is covered.

Trip cancellation insurance doesn’t cover everything. For example, changing your mind about a trip is not covered. If your plans are subject to change, you may want to purchase Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) travel insurance .

This part is a bit confusing, but yes. Chase’s benefits guide for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card states explicitly that cruise lines aren’t included in the definition of a “common carrier.” However, cruise lines are included in the definition of a “travel supplier.”

Why does this matter? Many of the trip cancellation and trip interruption benefits only apply to travel with a common carrier, which doesn’t include cruise lines. However, some benefits do apply to cruises . These include stolen luggage benefits or even canceling a trip if delays mean you’ll miss at least 20% of the trip or that you’ll miss the departure of your cruise ship.

The travel accident and injury benefits also apply while you’re cruising, but it’s worth noting that returning late to your cruise ship, only to find it’s left for the next island without you, isn’t a covered expense. You’ll be on your own for the costs of catching up to your ship.

There are 2 types of baggage protection here: coverage for delayed bags and coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage. Baggage delay insurance covers up to $100 per day for up to 5 days when your bags are delayed by at least 6 hours, covering each additional 24 hours past that until the maximum of 5 days is reached. This benefit applies to you and your immediate family members when you pay for at least part of your trip with your Chase Sapphire Preferred card. You don’t need to be traveling with your immediate family members for them to be covered , as long as at least part of their trip was paid for with your card, which can be a nice perk if you book travel for relatives.

Coverage begins on the scheduled departure date and ends on the scheduled return date, though coverage adjusts automatically if there are changes outside your or the travel provider’s control. There’s also a list of non-covered items, such as medical devices, losses due to war/conflict, electronics, and cash equivalents. In case of baggage delay, you must report it to the travel provid er as soon as possible and keep receipts for necessary expenses you incur ; you’ll submit these for reimbursement afterward.

Delsey luggage with Star Alliance priority tag

Lost luggage reimbursement is different; it covers lost, stolen, or damaged luggage during your trip. Both checked and carry-on bags are covered up to a maximum of $3,000 per person per trip. However, there’s a limit of $500 for jewelry, watches, and electronics.

There are some specifics to understand about this coverage, however. First, it doesn’t cover items you leave behind by accident . Second, coverage applies to you and immediate family members (even if you aren’t traveling with them) so long as you paid for at least part of the trip with your Chase Sapphire Preferred card. Coverage is available from the scheduled start to the scheduled end of your trip, but it is automatically adjusted if there are uncontrollable delays to either date.

Coverage applies to common carriers and cruise lines, and you must report the loss, theft, or damage within the timeframe specified by your travel provider. Then, the coverage on your Chase Sapphire Preferred card will cover any difference in the value of your monetary loss (after depreciation of the items) and the payment you receive from the travel provider . Thus, this is secondary coverage. It’s worth noting that documents, furs, tickets, and cash-like items aren’t covered.

Accidents can happen on any trip, from accidentally slipping on the wet deck of a cruise ship to spending nights in a hospital at a far-flung destination. Does your health insurance at home cover you when you head to Florida? What about South America? These are questions worth asking. If your medical coverage won’t be in effect, it’s worth considering medical travel insurance .

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card includes travel accident insurance for you and your immediate family members . It’s in effect if you pay at least part of the airfare for your trip with this card. You’ll receive varying maximum payouts depending on the type of injury (or death) encountered during your trip, and the maximum limit also depends on whether the accident occurs while traveling on a common carrier or at some other point during your trip . The 24-hour benefit provides maximum coverage of $100,000, increasing to $500,000 when traveling on a common carrier.

But how does this work in practice?

If more than 1 person is injured , the benefits administrator will pay no more than 2 times the maximum limit for each type of injury. That sum will be divided among all covered persons eligible for benefits payments.

In case of death , the benefits administrator will give the money to your named beneficiary. If you haven’t named a beneficiary, the order of preference goes from a spouse or domestic partner to children, then parents, siblings, and finally, your estate. If you go missing and haven’t been found after a year, then this will trigger the “loss of life” benefit.

Coverage begins either when you reach the airport, station, or terminal for travel on a common carrier or when you enter courtesy transportation provided to take you to the point at which your trip begins, such as a train station or airport. If you didn’t buy your tickets in advance but are purchasing them when you arrive at the station, coverage begins once you make the payment for travel. Coverage ends after you leave the transportation vessel or exit the courtesy transportation provided afterward.

The 24-hour coverage functions a bit differently. It’s in effect around the clock for up to 30 days, starting from your scheduled departure for air travel. If your trip is longer than 30 days, coverage will pause 1 minute after midnight on the 31st day and resume when you reach the airport for a flight home or are in courtesy transportation to the airport for the flight home.

Obviously, there are exclusions. You aren’t covered if you’re a pilot or crew member on a flight, you get injured while committing a crime, you get injured while skydiving, your injury is self-inflicted, or you’re injured in a war.

Lastly, you may wonder how COVID-19 factors in . The benefits guide says this under covered losses: “Quarantine of you or your traveling companion imposed by a physician or a competent governmental authority having jurisdiction, due to health reasons.”

Thus, your illness could be covered if a doctor or government requires quarantine related to COVID-19. COVID-19 is generally covered under most travel insurance policies in the same way sicknesses are covered. However, not traveling to avoid COVID-19 risks isn’t covered. As the benefits guide says, “Your disinclination to travel, a country closing its borders, or a travel supplier canceling or changing travel arrangements due to an epidemic or pandemic.”

Hotels aren’t treated separately under the Chase Sapphire Preferred card travel insurance terms. If you must cancel or interrupt a trip for a covered reason, then your hotel cancellation fees can be covered. This would include situations like forfeiting a first night’s room cost for canceling your hotel booking at the last minute, assuming you couldn’t arrive for a covered reason, such as a travel delay or a last-minute injury that made you unable to travel.

Hyatt Regency Nairobi king bed deluxe entry

While you won’t find the word “Airbnb” or even “vacation home” in the benefits guide, you will find a description that covers these types of rentals :

“Provider of Lodging – a hotel, inn, motel, bed and breakfast, or hostel; a Provider of Lodging includes non–commercial time shares, condominiums, or rentals of a private residence; such rental shall require a written contract between You and the property owner or management company, executed in advance of the commencement of the rental period …” Chase Sapphire Preferred card benefits guide.

So long as you’ve reserved your rental in advance and have a written contract — which Airbnb provides at the time of booking, courtesy of your confirmation details — your vacation home rental should count as a type of lodging. The contract must state the cancellation provisions, must not include a rental of more than 60 days, and your booking must be made directly with a licensed website or agent — not with the homeowner directly (unless that person is a licensed agent).

Airbnb is a covered lodging type, meaning your booking should qualify for trip interruption, trip cancellation, and trip delay coverage .

In short, yes. However, there are some exclusions. Since your personal auto insurance policy may not cover you abroad, it’s great to know that paying with your Chase Sapphire Preferred card and declining the rental company’s collision damage waiver can provide protection on your next rental .

You can be covered up to the actual cash value of most rental cars against theft or collision damage. Coverage can include administrative fees, loss-of-use charges, and even towing charges. Coverage applies to rentals up to 31 days and covers you plus any additional drivers listed on the rental contract .

You’ll need to use your card (or your points) to pay for the entire cost of the rental , and most vehicle types are covered by this primary insurance. However, coverage doesn’t apply to exotic or antique cars, high-value vehicles, cargo vehicles, motorcycles, RVs, or vans with seating for more than 9 people (including the driver). Note that Teslas qualify as high-value vehicles, so these aren’t covered .

The benefits guide doesn’t spell out any specific excluded countries . However, Visa typically excludes coverage in Israel, Jamaica, and Northern Ireland, plus you may not be able to use your card to pay for a rental (and thus coverage won’t be in effect) with U.S. Treasury Department monetary embargoes . These destinations include places where your credit cards won’t work, such as Cuba, Sudan, Syria, and North Korea.

Unfortunately, no. Because Turo and Zipcar rentals aren’t considered rentals from a rental car agency, most credit card rental car insurance doesn’t cover them .

To file a claim, you should first gather all of the documents related to your claim . These can include receipts, accident reports, police reports, photos, hospital records, or anything else pertinent to the type of claim you’re making.

Next, you can call the benefits administrator at 866-390-9735 or visit eclaimsline.com to submit online . Different claims have different required timelines. For example, auto claims must be filed within 100 days of the incident. However, you need to file within 90 days for baggage delays or losses, but you’re supposed to contact the benefits administrator within 20 days of these incidents to at least provide notice, even though you have 90 days to finish submitting the claim.

This question will be subjective, and different people will arrive at different conclusions. Travel insurance can be useful for the unexpected, but no 2 trips are equal. The best way to decide whether you need additional insurance beyond what the Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers is to look at what it doesn’t cover.

Will you be skydiving? Do you have significant trip expenses related to Turo rentals or short connections that could cause domino effects if you miss a departure time? Are you renting an RV or going camping — types of travel not covered by the Chase Sapphire Preferred card?

If you have prepaid, nonrefundable expenses that wouldn’t be reimbursed by your credit card’s travel insurance in the event of delays or cancellations, getting a travel insurance policy that covers these could be a good idea and could provide peace of mind. That said, not every travel activity is covered by every travel insurance policy, so you want to make sure you choose a policy that covers your expenses for your particular trip .

If you look at your trip and decide that your flights, hotel plans, and simple plan of just relaxing at the beach will be covered by the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, then purchasing an extra policy probably isn’t necessary.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers numerous protections for purchases and trips. Insurance terms can feel confusing, but hopefully, the explanations of these policies should clarify what is and isn’t covered, as well as policy limits, in a way that helps you know whether the coverages are sufficient for your upcoming travels.

Want to learn more about what else this card offers beyond travel insurance? Consult our full Chase Sapphire Preferred card review .

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the chase sapphire preferred card have trip insurance.

Yes, it has several types of travel protections. Cardholders get rental car insurance, baggage delay insurance, lost and damaged luggage reimbursement, travel accident insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, and trip delay reimbursement.

How to file a claim with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card travel insurance?

You can call the benefits administrator at 866-390-9735 or visit eclaimsline.com to submit online. Each claim type has different required documents and a different required submission timeline, so check your benefits guide for your specific claim type.

Does the Chase Sapphire Preferred card reimburse for travel cancellation?

Yes, you can be reimbursed for monetary losses of up to $10,000 per person and up to $20,000 per trip if you cancel for a covered reason. You’ll need to pay for at least part of your trip with your Chase Sapphire Preferred card, and the cancellation must be for a covered reason, such as death, injury, or being called to active military duty.

What insurance does Chase Sapphire Preferred card cover?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has several types of travel protections. Cardholders get rental car insurance, baggage delay insurance, lost and damaged luggage reimbursement, travel accident insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, and trip delay reimbursement. Cardholders also get shopping insurance benefits, such as purchase protection and extended warranty protection, plus other benefits like roadside dispatch and travel and emergency assistance services (though these are pay-per-use benefits).

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About Ryan Smith

Ryan completed his goal of visiting every country in the world in December of 2023 and now plans to let his wife choose their destinations. Over the years, he’s written about award travel for publications including AwardWallet, The Points Guy, USA Today Blueprint, CNBC Select, Tripadvisor, and Forbes Advisor.

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Newark Wants Cargo Ship Firefighters’ Deaths Handled Under Workers’ Compensation

travel insurance cancellation death

The city of Newark is asking a federal court to dismiss negligence and wrongful death claims against it by the families of two firefighters who died last July while battling a fire on a cargo ship,

The city maintains that the families’ claims should be handled under workers’ compensation, not under maritime or tort law.

The two Newark Fire Department captains, Augusto Acabou and Wayne Brooks, died while fighting a fire on the Italian cargo ship Grande Costa d’Avorio in Port Newark.

The firefighters’ families have sued the ship owner and operator Grimaldi Deep Sea, the firms loading automobiles onto the ship, the port authorities of New York and New Jersey, and others, as well as the city of Newark and its fire department. Their suit alleging negligence and wrongful death seeks $50 million in damages and a jury trial.

The families accuse the city and fire officials of being “negligent, careless and reckless in their operation, maintenance and control” of the fire department in “failing to properly train and equip” firefighters to suppress fires on board ocean-going ships. They also maintain that the ship was “unreasonably dangerous and unseaworthy.”

Grimaldi Deep Sea is seeking to be exonerated or have its liability limited in accordance with federal maritime law. It claims the fire was not its fault. The families argue that the owner knew that the ship was unseaworthy and thus does not qualify for protection under the federal maritime law.

Two New Jersey Firefighters Died Battling Fire on Cargo Ship Carrying 5,000 Cars

The city, a third party defendant in the families’ lawsuit, is also looking to limit its liability by insisting that the deaths of the firefighters who were employees of the city be covered under the fire department’s workers’ compensation.

“[I]t is the City’s position that workers’ compensation is the sole legal remedy as and against the City because the Plaintiffs’ decedents were firefighters who died in the line-of-duty. These firefighters were not engaged in a maritime trade. They were not members of the ship’s crew, or stevedores, or longshoremen. Their response to this ship fire was only a de minimis connection to maritime activity,” Gary S. Lipshutz, assistant counsel for the city of Newark law department, wrote in a letter summarizing Newark’s position that was filed with the federal district court on April 30.

Mayday Call From Burning Cargo Ship Prompted Doomed Rescue Effort

The city argues that while lawsuits for workplace injuries and deaths may be allowed where there is intentional wrongdoing by the employer, there is nothing in the complaint to suggest that the city knew that the firefighters were “substantially certain” to suffer injury or death in fighting this fire. The city cites a 2001 court ruling involving a Newark firefighter’s death that upheld the workers’ compensation bar despite allegations of a lack of specialized training similar to those asserted by the Brooks and Acabou families.

According to the city, there is also “no meaningful conflict” between maritime law and New Jersey’s workers’ compensation law.

Families Blame Faulty Vehicle for Ship Fire That Killed Two New Jersey Firefighters

“In other words, there is no preemption of the Workers’ Compensation Act,” the city’s letter states.

As part of the investigation into the tragedy, the Coast Guard, in conjunction with the National Transportation Safety Board, held public hearings beginning in January and ending in March. A final report has not yet been issued.

However, an investigation by NJ Advance Media based on interviews, incident reports and radio communications has raised questions about the fire department’s ability to handle a major emergency on the waterfront. It concluded that the “state’s largest city was unprepared to fight a major fire at one of the nation’s largest ports.”

The families of the two firefighters have claimed that the fire was caused by a malfunctioning vehicle used to load cargo onto the ship. It took almost a week to extinguish the fire completely.

Firefighters said they found five to seven vehicles already on fire when they reached the 10th floor of the cargo ship. They were unable to find their colleagues Brooks and Acabou right away. When rescuers found them, they were already dead, according to the fire chief.

Photo: In this image taken from video, smoke rises from a cargo ship early Thursday, July 6, 2023, in the port of Newark, New Jersey. Two firefighters were killed battling the blaze that began when cars caught fire deep inside the ship carrying 5,000 cars at the port, Newark’s fire chief said. (WABC-TV via AP)

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Simpson is a freelance writer and editor. He retired as Chief Content Officer for Wells Media Group in July, 2022 after 18 years with the company.

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IMAGES

  1. Trip Cancellation Insurance: What You Need to Know (2023)

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  2. How to Make a Cancellation Claim

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  3. Trip Cancellation Vs. Cancel For Any Reason Travel Insurance (2023)

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  4. Covered Reasons for Trip Cancellation

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  5. Sample Insurance Cancellation Letter (+ Word Template)

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  6. Travel Insurance Trip Cancellation Coverage

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COMMENTS

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    In the unfortunate event that there is a death in the family, you may be eligible for coverage under your travel insurance plan. Coverage for Trip Cancellation, Trip Delay, and Trip Interruption. Trip Cancellation is a benefit that can provide coverage for non-refundable trip payments in the event that a trip has to be cancelled for a covered ...

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    Call us at: 800-826-5248. Travel Guard Trip Cancellation Insurance has your back. Trips get canceled. That's when trip insurance can make a world of difference. With Travel Guard, you're prepared if you need to cancel for work or illness or weather or any other covered reason.

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

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    A basic travel insurance policy with trip cancellation coverage generally costs between 5% to 10% of your trip costs. So a travel insurance policy for a $5,000 trip would cost $250 to $500. Your costs will be higher if you opt for CFAR coverage. Factors that influence how much your trip cancellation insurance costs include traveler age, trip ...

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    Trip cancellation insurance costs typically range from $50 to $150 for basic coverage for a one-week trip. This can vary depending on several factors, including your age, destination, trip duration, and the level of coverage you choose. Be sure to get a quote from each individual travel insurance company to get an accurate feel for how much it ...

  8. How to File a Claim for Trip Cancellation

    Step 3. Round up all your documentation. To file a trip cancellation claim, you'll need to provide proof of two main things: the covered reason for cancellation, and the prepaid trip costs for which you want to be reimbursed. We provide a documentation checklist to guide you, but the exact documents required may vary depending on the nature ...

  9. Trip Cancellation Insurance: Covered Reasons Explained

    Call us at 1-866-884-3556, and our travel insurance experts will walk you through the plan documents and explain your benefits. If you're not satisfied with the coverage, you have 15 days (or more, depending on your state of residence) to request a refund, provided you haven't started your trip or initiated a claim.

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  12. Travel insurance for a death or illness in the family

    Cancellation cover typically pays you a lump sum if you have to cancel your trip due to circumstances beyond your control. You should look for a policy that pays cancellation and curtailment cover of at least £2,000 or the value of your trip. Your cover should also include the cost of getting you home if you miss your flight or ferry departure ...

  13. Travel insurance and family bereavement

    Cancellation cover is a standard feature of travel insurance. It's designed to reimburse the cost of your holiday if you have to cancel because of circumstances beyond your control. Reasons you may need to do this include illness or injury, being called to jury service, or a death in the family. If you need to cancel your trip after the death ...

  14. Best Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance

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  15. Trip Cancellation Insurance

    A. TRAVEL INCONVENIENCE PLAN 1. PRE-DEPARTURE TRIP CANCELLATION BENEFIT. The Insured's coverage under the Pre-Departure Trip Cancellation Benefit will take effect as stated in SECTION II - EFFECTIVE AND TERMINATION DATES OF INSURANCE, A. EFFECTIVE DATE.. We will reimburse the Insured a Pre-Departure Trip Cancellation Benefit, if the Insured is prevented from taking his/her Covered Trip due ...

  16. Accidental Death & Dismemberment Travel Insurance

    Yes, travel insurance for accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) will cover trip cancellation under the trip cancellation and interruption benefit if there happens to be a covered emergency, such as the death of a travelling or non-travelling family member, that adversely affects your travel plans.

  17. Travel Insurance for Death In Family

    Ensuring that you have adequate cancellation cover is crucial. Most policies will cover you for the death of a family member if it adversely affects your travel plans. This includes completely cancelling the trip, having it delayed, or having it interrupted part-way through. This will normally cover non-refundable trip payments such as flights ...

  18. Travel Insurance: Compare & Quote Plans

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  19. 9 Best Travel Insurance Companies of 2024

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  23. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Travel Insurance

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  24. Know About Cancel For Any Reason Travel Insurance

    What is Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) Travel Insurance CFAR Travel Insurance offers the option to cancel the trip for any reason, such as a change of mind, perso ... If the person or travel companion becomes ill or if there is a death in the family, s/he is eligible for reimbursement of the non-refundable portion of the flight and accommodation ...

  25. Updated airline cancellation, delay refund rules to have limited impact

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  26. Newark Wants Cargo Ship Firefighters' Deaths Handled Under Workers

    The city of Newark is asking a federal court to dismiss negligence and wrongful death claims against it by the families of two firefighters who died last July while battling a fire on a cargo ship,