Unexpected events can upset even the best-laid plans. You should have travel insurance, but it won’t cover all cancellations. A travel insurance upgrade of Cancel for any Reason (CFAR) insurance will cover events that your base insurance coverage excludes. With CFAR, you can cancel your trip as you choose and expect a reimbursement of up to 75% of your non-refundable travel expenses.
Here's all you need to know about CFAR and a rundown of the four best CFAR options.
Quick Look: Best Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance
- Best for the user-friendly app: Faye
- Best for families: Travelex Insurance Services
- Best for frequent travelers: Arch RoamRight
- Best for comparative travel packages: Aardy.com
4 Best Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance
Find the travel insurance to meet your needs from one of those listed below.
1. Best for the Fun User-friendly Application: Faye
Faye Travel Insurance, underwritten by the United States Fire Insurance Company, offers comprehensive travel insurance. Quickly apply and claim using the Faye app. Customize the Faye base travel insurance with one of many travel insurance add-ons. Upgrades include CFAR, adventure & extreme sports coverage and pet care.
Why We Love It: We love Faye for its simple application and claim system, driven by the clear and intuitive interface. The Faye CFAR pays 75% of your non-refundable travel expenses. Expect 24/7 customer service and a quick claim response.
2. Best for Families: Travelex Insurance Services
With more than 55 years in the travel insurance industry, Travelex is an industry leader. The company offers travelers three travel plans, but you must buy Travel Select to qualify for a CFAR upgrade. Travel Select is a comprehensive package with five upgrade options, including CFAR, additional medical cover and extreme sports upgrades. If you cancel your trip, use the online claim form for quick and easy reimbursement.
Why We Love It: If you insure with Travel Select, children are included with your travel insurance, making this a cost-effective family package deal. Expect 75% reimbursement on non-refundable travel expenses.
3. Best for Frequent Travelers: Arch RoamRight
This provides a broad overview of your policy provisions and does not revise or amend the policy. Insurance coverages are underwritten by Arch Insurance Company, NAIC #11150, under policy series LTP 2013 and amendments thereto. Plans are offered and disseminated by registered travel retailers on behalf of Arch Insurance Solutions Inc., a licensed travel insurance producer* (CA License #0I18111, TX License #1787195). Both the travel insurance producer and the underwriter referenced above may be reached at 1-844-872-4163. Your policy is the contract that specifically and fully describes your coverage. Certain terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions apply and coverages may vary in certain states. Please refer to your policy for detailed terms and conditions.
Consumer Disclosures can be found at: https://www.roamright.com/disclosures/.
Privacy policy can be found at: https://www.roamright.com/roamright-website-privacy-policy/
*Plans are solicited by licensed producers in NY and HI.
Arch RoamRight has been in the travel insurance business since 2012. The holding company Arch Insurance has been underwriting insurance since 2002. Arch RoamRight provides comprehensive travel insurance for travelers of various categories including families, individuals and group travel. They offer two travel plans and a multi-trip annual plan.
Why We Love It: Complimentary one-child coverage for each traveling adult makes Arch RoamRight a good choice for traveling families. The multi-trip plan makes it easier for frequent flyers to cover their travel insurance needs. The CFAR pays out 75% of non-refundable travel costs.
4. Best for Comparative Quotes: Aardy.com
Aardy.com is not a run-of-the-mill travel insurance company. It is a health insurance provider with a travel insurance section that styles itself as a marketplace. Apply for travel insurance on the Aardy.com website and you’ll receive comparative travel insurance quotes from the company’s insurance partners.
Why We Love It: Aardy.com offers a comparative view of the various travel insurance options. This means you can choose the best insurance fit for your travel plans and budget. Expect all the usual insurance coverage and upgrades including CFAR. The Aardy.com website is clean and clear, offering unexpected extras like city guides.
What Is Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance?
CFAR is a travel insurance add-on. Your basic trip cancellation reimburses you for covered costs. However, it won’t cover all cancellations; there will be exclusions. CFAR fills this gap. CFAR is more flexible with broader coverage. You can cancel your trip for any reason, from a change of heart to a family emergency.
How Does CFAR Travel Insurance Work?
CFAR is a travel insurance add-on that will cover you for cancellations not covered by your base insurance. CFAR application and cancellation have time constraints. You must buy the upgrade within 10 to 21 days of paying your first travel deposit. In addition, you can only cancel your trip up to 48 hours before departure. The time frame may vary from one policy to another so check your policy details.
If you must cancel, contact your insurance provider as soon as you can and provide supporting documents. You’ll need trip cancellation documents and proof of non-refundable trip payments, like credit card statements and receipts. CFAR doesn’t cover all your costs. You can expect up to 75% reimbursement of non-refundable travel costs. The rest you must cover yourself.
What Does Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance Cover?
CFAR covers you for any reason other than those covered by your regular travel insurance. Under this insurance, you can expect the agreed refund for any reason you can think of including:
- Travel concerns: Situations may arise that concern you, for example unrest
- Pregnancy: You may be less inclined to travel if you find you’re pregnant
- A change of mind: Cancel for any reason even covers your change of mind
- Family or relationship problems: No longer with the man in your life? No problem. Cancel the trip.
- Poor weather conditions: Avoid heat waves and hurricanes
- Travel companion problems: Fallen out with your travel companion. Cancel while you find someone else to travel with you.
- Death of a pet: Who wants to travel under such sad circumstances?
- Passport problems: Lost your passport? You’re not going anywhere.
What Does CFAR Not Cover?
Although CFAR covers almost all costs, you will still bear some of the costs if you cancel. These include:
- Full trip costs: CFAR will not reimburse you in full. It usually covers between 50% and 75% of the non-refundable trip costs.
- Post-departure cancellations: CFAR usually won’t cover trip interruptions. You’ll need separate trip-interruption cover for post-departure cancellations.
- Last-minute cancellations: You must cancel your trip at least two to three days before departure
When Do You Need CFAR Coverage?
There are several scenarios where you’d be well-advised to consider CFAR coverage. Consider these situations:
- Uncertain work commitments: If you have unpredictable work commitments or deadlines that may conflict with your travel arrangements, consider CFAR coverage. CFAR will offer you peace of mind, knowing that if you’re forced to cancel, your non-refundable costs will be covered, at least in part.
- Risk-averse traveler with unpredictable life circumstances: If your life is unpredictable and you’d rather be around when things go wrong, you may feel more comfortable covering all bases by leaving the cancellation option open through the CFAR coverage.
- You or your travel companion is pregnant: Pregnancy can be uncertain. It may be necessary to cancel the trip for any number of reasons.
How Much Does CFAR Travel Insurance Cost?
CFAR travel insurance has no single fee. Find a travel comparison site on the internet to establish the estimated cost. The cost depends on the following:
- Percentage of trip price: CFAR typically adds 40% to 50% to the travel insurance base price.
- Traveler’s age: Older travelers may pay more than younger travelers for CFAR
- Destination: Some destinations may attract higher costs
- Trip duration: Longer trips may cost more than shorter trips
- Insurance provider: Prices differ per provider
Coverage for Unforeseen Circumstances
Your travel insurance won’t cover every cancellation. There are exclusions. If you prefer to cover all bases, you could consider a CFAR upgrade for unforeseen circumstances.
CFAR adds to your travel insurance costs, but if you cancel your trip for any reason not covered by your base travel insurance, it will reimburse a large portion of your non-refundable costs. Weigh the costs and benefits and book your travels knowing you won’t suffer unforeseen financial loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cancel for any reason travel insurance worth it?
Whether CFAR is worth it depends on your circumstances. CFAR adds to the insurance cost but can offer peace of mind if you need to cancel your trip for reasons not covered by your travel insurance.
What percentage of my trip cost will be refunded if I cancel with CFAR?
The amount covered is usually 50% to 75% of the non-refundable travel costs.
When can I cancel my trip using CFAR coverage?
Usually you can cancel up to 48 hours before the trip departs. Always check your insurance policy terms and conditions to confirm coverage.
Can I purchase CFAR coverage separately from a standard travel insurance policy?
You can purchase the CFAR separately from your standard travel insurance. However, you can’t buy CFAR on its own; it is an upgrade on the base insurance. There are also time restrictions. You must purchase the upgrade within ten to fourteen days of paying trip deposits.