Navigating Travel Insurance

We’ve designed this guide to help you confidently navigate travel insurance options and find the coverage that best fits your trip. The choices can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not familiar with the details—but we’re here to make it easier.

We partner with Travel Guard and can provide personalized quotes for their products. If you’d like a quote with the specific coverage and benefit limits for your trip, simply let us know which type of plan you’re interested in. Please note that flights booked with miles or points cannot be insured through Travel Guard.

If you already have travel insurance or plan to use another provider, please send us a copy of your policy so we can keep it on file.

• Coverage benefits can vary significantly depending on the type of plan and the insured’s state of residence.
• It’s important to choose a plan that aligns with your needs. If you have specific concerns, let us know and we will work with our insurance partners to find a plan that suits you.
• Travel insurance is designed to cover unexpected and unforeseen events.
• Premiums are generally based on age and trip cost.
• “Trip cancellation” is not blanket coverage. Most plans only cover cancellations for specific reasons outlined in the policy.
• It’s important to carefully review the fine print to understand exactly what is and isn’t covered. The policy details will be included with your personalized quotes.
• There are important early purchase benefits when travelers buy comprehensive insurance, usually within 15 days of their first trip payment (either the deposit or flights, whichever comes first).
• These benefits typically include a pre-existing conditions waiver, which is automatically included, and the option to add a Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) upgrade at an additional cost.
• Trip details, including dates and costs, can be updated even after a policy is purchased. Any changes that increase the trip cost will result in an adjustment to the premium.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

Coverage for Minor & Major Medical Incidents

We recommend that all travelers have medical evacuation coverage at minimum. These plans typically cover:

• Emergency transportation to a hospital in a major city
• Medical evacuation to the United States if necessary
• Basic medical care in-country
• 24/7 emergency assistance services

A variety of credit cards offer this coverage but typically require you to pay for the entire trip with that card to qualify. Personal health insurance plans may also include this benefit, though coverage can be limited. It’s always worth reviewing the terms carefully.

Note: Comprehensive travel insurance includes medical evacuation.

Comprehensive Travel Insurance

Coverage for Cancellation – Interruption – Delays – Baggage – Minor & Major Medical Incidents

Why We Recommend It

Comprehensive travel insurance offers broad protection and invaluable peace of mind when the unexpected happens before or during travel. If you’re someone who worries about the “what ifs,” this type of plan offers meaningful protection. Coverage typically includes:

• Trip cancellation or interruption for covered reasons
• Medical evacuation and emergency medical expenses
• Lost, delayed, or damaged baggage
• Travel delays
• 24/7 emergency assistance services
• Early purchase benefits include a pre-existing conditions waiver at no additional cost, and the option to add Cancel for Any Reason coverage for an additional cost.
• Optional upgrades (varies by plan)

What’s Typically Covered

Comprehensive travel insurance generally covers trip cancellations or interruptions for specific reasons outlined in the policy. If you need to cancel or cut your trip short for a covered reason, you can typically recover up to 100% of the insured, non-refundable expenses.

Real-Life Examples Where Travel Insurance Helped

Over the years, we’ve seen comprehensive travel insurance make a real difference for our clients. Below are a few examples where it’s helped recover costs and navigate unexpected travel challenges:

• Sudden injury or illness occur before or during travel
• A serious illness or death in the family before or during travel
• Concerns about deep vein thrombosis requiring a hospital visit mid-trip
• A traveler becomes pregnant prior to travel *
• You are suddenly required to work over your scheduled trip dates *
• Luggage is lost or delayed

*Coverage may vary by state.

Important Exclusions

Please note that foreseen events—such as named pandemics (other than becoming sick), active or known civil unrest or war, travel bans, and border closures already in effect—are typically not covered under most comprehensive insurance plans unless Cancel for Any Reason coverage is added to the policy.

Pre-Existing Conditions Waiver

When purchased within 15 days of your initial trip payment, most comprehensive plans automatically include a pre-existing conditions waiver at no additional cost. This allows medical claims to be covered even if they are connected to a pre-existing condition.

Additional Details About the Pre-Existing Conditions Waiver

To Retain the Pre-Ex Waiver:

• Most insurance companies require that all non-refundable trip costs (including flights) be insured on the policy.
• If you’re not ready to book flights, you can still get the waiver, but flights and any future trip payments must be added to the policy within 15 days of each new payment.

Without the Pre-Existing Conditions Waiver, cancellations or medical events tied to pre-existing conditions may be considered “foreseen” and not eligible for reimbursement.

Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) Insurance

What is Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) Coverage?

Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) is an optional upgrade available at an additional cost when purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance policy. It gives travelers the flexibility to cancel their trip for reasons not covered under a standard comprehensive plan.

CFAR is typically offered as an early purchase benefit when buying a comprehensive policy within 15 days of the first trip payment (deposit or flights—whichever comes first). It’s designed for travelers who want the utmost peace of mind, knowing they can cancel—even for personal or unexpected reasons—and still recover 50% to 75% of their insured travel expenses.

Since CFAR is added to a base plan, travelers can still receive up to 100% reimbursement when canceling for a covered reason under the standard policy.

Why Consider CFAR?

Without CFAR, comprehensive policies typically do not cover foreseen events such as:

• Named pandemics (unless you personally become ill)
• Known civil unrest or war
• Travel bans or border closures already in effect

CFAR provides greater flexibility and peace of mind by:

• Allowing you to cancel for personal reasons, such as feeling uncomfortable traveling, changing your mind, or deciding the timing no longer works.
• Giving you control over your plans without being tied to the strict list of covered reasons in standard policies.
• Helping fill coverage gaps when travel risks or uncertainties arise that wouldn’t otherwise be eligible for reimbursement.
• Offering partial reimbursement (typically 50% to 75% of insured costs) even when canceling for reasons not recognized by the base policy.
• Supporting travelers who prefer maximum flexibility and want to reduce financial risk, even if they simply change their mind about traveling.

Additional Details About CFAR

CFAR coverage specifics may vary by state, so it is crucial to always review the coverage details carefully. Your personalized quote will include the fine print for your plan.

Most CFAR plans require cancellation at least 48 hours prior to departure.

To Retain CFAR:

• Most insurance companies require that all non-refundable trip costs (including flights) be insured on the policy.
• If you’re not ready to book flights, you can still secure CFAR—but flights and any future trip payments must be added to the policy within 15 days of each new payment.

We can prepare a CFAR quote that offers 50% reimbursement of paid expenses in the event of a claim. There may be plans available to you that offer Cancel for Any Reason coverage with 75% reimbursement. We recommend going to TravelInsurance.com if you are interested in exploring those options.

If you’d like us to prepare personalized quotes, simply let us know which plans you’re interested in. You’re also welcome to explore quotes directly here.