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Planning your travels ahead of time is an excellent way to ensure that your trip goes as planned. It also can save you money on bookings and allow you to enjoy the activities that you want to take part in without worrying about uncertainties such as sold out tickets or tours.
However, when booking ahead of time, there is always the possibility that your trip plans may be interrupted in some way whether that be a delayed flight or a personal reason that requires you to push back some of your travel plans.
While most trip insurance plans do offer coverage for trip interruptions, coverage only extends to certain covered reasons. For even further protection of your trip expenses, you may consider trip interruption for any reason insurance.
What Is Standard Trip Interruption Coverage?
A trip insurance plan will offer trip interruption coverage as part of its benefits. This type of coverage can provide you with reimbursement up to the policy’s benefit maximum in the event that you have to start your trip late or cannot complete your trip due to a covered reason.
Trip interruption insurance reimbursement can include any of the prepaid nonrefundable expenses for certain travel arrangements that you insured with your plan and additional transportation costs associated with your travel interruption.
What Is Trip Interruption For Any Reason Insurance?
Interruption For Any Reason is an add-on benefit for trip insurance that offers financial protections for travelers who have to cut their trip short for literally any reason. This means it is a benefit that can be added onto your standard trip insurance plan for an additional fee.
For example, if parents enjoying a romantic getaway were suddenly called home to tend to their sick child, IFAR could reimburse them up to 75% for prepaid nonrefundable travel expenses. Even if there were no emergency and these travelers just decided they missed their kids and wanted to return home, IFAR could still cover them.
The only restriction is that IFAR has to be used at least 48 hours after the departure date. IFAR is designed to give travelers options and to ease the stress of the unexpected. So, if your plans are uncertain or you just want to have the extra protection, IFAR coverage might be just the thing to add to your packing list.
Interruption For Any Reason vs Cancel For Any Reason
Travelers often wonder what the difference is between Cancel For Any Reason coverage and Interruption For Any Reason coverage. The terms can be confusing since they’re so closely related.
Both IFAR and CFAR allow you to cancel your trip plans and recoup up to 75% of prepaid nonrefundable travel expenses. However, CFAR is used to cancel your travel plans before your trip even starts, while IFAR is used while your trip is in progress.
If you're planning a trip but you think you might have to cancel before your trip starts, you’ll want CFAR coverage. If, however, you’re concerned you might be called home for some reason, you’ll want IFAR coverage. There’s nothing to stop travelers from adding both CFAR and IFAR coverage to their trip insurance plans.
Is Travel Insurance Interruption For Any Reason Worth It?
Interruption For Any Reason insurance is a great investment as it protects your prepaid and nonrefundable trip expenses that could be lost if your trip were to be interrupted for any reason at all.
Let’s imagine you are vacationing in the Bahamas, when your boss unexpectedly calls you that an important meeting with a client was moved closer and wants you back in the office as soon as possible to prepare. Standard trip insurance won’t cover work-related interruptions, but having IFAR can give you a peace of mind knowing you can interrupt your trip for any reason and get reimbursed for unused hotel nights, excursions, and your early flight back home.
For an additional fee on your trip insurance plan, you can ensure that your trip costs are protected in the event of an unexpected interruption in your travel plans.
Trip Insurance With Interruption For Any Reason Coverage
While Cancel For Any Reason coverage is far more common, there are a few trip insurance plans that offer an Interruption For Any Reason benefit.
Protect Your Travel Costs With Trip Insurance
Having to cancel your plans after you've already arrived at the first stop on your itinerary can be a frustrating ordeal.
Trip interruption insurance was designed to ease all that stress and anxiety. You may have to cut your vacation short, but at least you’ll be financially protected. And remember, all the wonderful places on your itinerary will be waiting for you when you’re ready to rebook.
Still have questions? Contact our Customer Success Team for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much is Interruption For Any Reason (IFAR) insurance?
While Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) can increase a policy’s premium by an average of 40-50%, IFAR can instead range from 3-10% of your base insurance coverage premium. The cost, however, varies on different factors, such as age, length of trip, and trip cost.
Can I add IFAR to any travel insurance plan?
Most trip insurance policies will offer the IFAR add-on, giving you greater peace of mind and flexibility. While it is common for more comprehensive plans to offer this add-on, IFAR may not be available with more basic plans. Additionally, if a travel insurance plan offers a IFAR add-on, there are some requirements you’ll need to meet to be eligible to add it to your base plan. Typically, IFAR must be purchased soon after your initial trip deposit, usually within 1420 days, depending on the provider.
Can I get a full refund with trip insurance?
Trip insurance can cover the prepaid, nonrefundable parts of your trip such as flights, hotels, or tours, but it depends on the details of your policy. For example, if you are cancelling your trip for an uncovered reason, you typically cannot claim the full trip cost unless you purchased an add-on like IFAR, but even IFAR only covers about 50-75% of your costs. Plus, if you need to file a claim, you will have to keep various items such as copies of your passport, medical bills, and receipts in order to potentially receive a full refund.
What is not covered by trip insurance?
Coverage can vary by plan, so it's important to read your policy carefully to understand exactly what is and isn't included. That said, most trip insurance plans do not cover:
- Non-Emergency or Routine Care: Regular checkups or planned treatments are not covered by trip insurance. These policies are meant for unexpected medical needs, not routine appointments.
- Drug or Alcohol Use: Losses that occur while you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, beyond the legal limit, are not covered by insurance. An exception is made if the treatment involves medication that was prescribed by a doctor.
- Normal Pregnancy: Routine pregnancy care and standard childbirth are not covered by trip insurance. Coverage only applies if there are unforeseen complications.
- Sports Participation: Trip insurance is designed to cover different types of travel-related risks, but it typically doesn’t include injuries from participating in professional, amateur, or school sports. While trip insurance can be just as important for a traveling athlete, travelers planning to compete should also consider separate sports-specific coverage, which is typically provided through your team or event organizers.
- Self-Inflicted Harm: Injuries or death resulting from intentional self-harm or suicide are not covered by insurance. Trip insurance is designed to protect against unforeseen events, not deliberate actions.
Are there plans that offer Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) and Interruption For Any Reason (IFAR) together?
Yes, most trip insurance plans offer the option to buy both CFAR and IFAR in case your circumstances require it. For example, if you recently had a surgery and need to recover before your trip, CFAR can provide coverage if you don’t feel ready to travel by the time of your departure date. However, if you decide to continue with your trip but need to leave midway due to an unexpected turn of events, IFAR can offer protection by allowing you to interrupt your trip for any reason. While it is uncommon for someone to purchase both add-ons, it entirely depends on your personal preference. Luckily, most trip insurance plans that have the optional add-on for CFAR and IFAR can accommodate these scenarios.
How late is too late to buy travel insurance?
Typically, the latest you can buy travel insurance is 24 hours before your departure date. However, you may miss out on time-specific, optional add-ons such as IFAR and pre-existing condition waivers, which typically have a window of 14-21 days to purchase after your initial trip payment. If you decide to purchase travel insurance just before your departure date, the coverage options will likely be limited.
