Have you ever registered for the trip of a lifetime, only to fret that unforeseen circumstances may force you to cancel? If so, you’re not alone. A number of travellers are also dealing with unknowns that have the potential to interrupt their travel plans and cause financial damage.
That’s where Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) insurance comes in. In this article, we’re going to define what CFAR is, discuss how it works and its potential limitations, and help you figure out if it’s worth it for you or not.
Defining CFAR
Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) insurance is a travel insurance plan add-on that provides the option to cancel for any reason, even if it’s not listed in the base policy.
While most travel insurance plans are triggered by specific named perils, a CFAR policy lets you cancel your trip for almost anything, offering you all but psychic protection when making travel decisions.
More Than Just Standard Trip Cancellation: CFAR Explained
Standard Trip Cancellation
Traditional trip cancellation insurance generally covers specific, named perils, like illness, injury, natural disasters or job loss. For instance, if you get sick before your trip, or a hurricane is threatening your destination, regular trip-cancellation insurance can reimburse you for your nonrefundable costs.
The CFAR Advantage
The advantage of CFAR is the ability it gives you to cancel for virtually any reason, even one that is not on the list in a standard policy. Here are some scenarios wherein you might be able to cancel with CFAR to the tune of something that isn’t protected by regular insurance:
- Change of plans; you’re not in the mood to go.
- Job or scheduling issues that arise unexpectedly.
- Unsafeness or uneasiness related to a destination (e.g., political turbulence, health reasons, such as new outbreaks).
- A friend or non-“covered family member” gets sick.
- Your travel partner can’t make it, and you don’t want to travel alone.
- Passport delays or visa issues.
- Simply changing your mind.
How Does Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) Insurance Work?
1. Add-on, Not Standalone
CFAR is usually an “upgrade” to a standard travel insurance policy, not a stand-alone policy. That’s because you’d be required to purchase a standard travel insurance policy first, and then buy supplemental CFAR coverage.
2. Purchase Timeline
It’s also worth mentioning that there’s a limited amount of time when you can buy CFAR; typically, it’s 10-21 days after you make your first trip deposit. That is, you must take action soon after booking your trip.
3. Insuring 100% of Trip Costs
The majority of CFAR plans stipulate that you need to insure 100% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs in order to qualify for coverage. Therefore, you are fully protected if you need to cancel.
4. Cancellation Window
Most CFAR policies have a deadline for cancellation and it’s almost always a cancellation at least 48 hours before your planned departure.
5. Reimbursement Percentage
Unlike traditional cancellation policies, which would pay 100% of the cost of your trip if you have a covered reason to cancel, CFAR plans generally provide on 50%-75% of your insured trip costs.
6. Claim Process (Simplified)
In general, filing a CFAR claim is simple. You will need to submit a report of cancellation notice and other proof you consider necessary to justify your claim.
Advantages of Having CFAR Insurance
1. Unmatched Flexibility
The single greatest feature of CFAR is the incredible flexibility it provides. You can cancel for ANY reason up to the day before you travel and still get 100% of your money back (even if you have “I do not want to book a trip” coverage).
2. Financial Protection
CFAR protects a large portion of your non-refundable investment, so that in case you have to cancel, you don‘t lose the money you worked hard for.
3. Peace of Mind
CFAR insurance takes the stress and worry out of planning costly trips so far in advance. Plan your travel with confidence, knowing that you have a safety net.
4. Ideal for Uncertain Times
In a world of potential global uncertainty, CFAR is extremely timely today. It’s a cushion for travellers finding themselves in a precarious situation.
5. Protects High-Value Trips
CFAR can be most useful for costly international trips, cruises or tours – when the financial risk management is greater.
Downsides and Caveats to CFAR Insurance
1. Higher Cost
One of the downsides of CFAR is that it can significantly hike up the price, usually making the policy 40-60% more expensive than regular travel insurance.
2. Partial Reimbursement
It’s worth noting that CFAR doesn’t pay a 100% refund. In most cases, you will get only a portion of your trip costs back.
3. Strict Eligibility Requirements
CFAR policies have stringent eligibility requirements, including timing on when you bought the insurance and a requirement to cover the entire cost of the trip.
4. Not Available in All States/Regions
Both availability and terms may vary by insurer and location, and some states may not offer CFAR insurance at all.
5. Exclusions
“Any reason” is a big field, but there might be some or two rare exceptions. Don’t forget to read the fine print to know what’s not covered by a policy.
Who Should Consider CFAR Insurance?
1. Travelers with High Non-Refundable Costs
If you’re an individual or family whose flights, tours or accommodations are costly, then you may want to invest in CFAR to cover your investment.
2. Those with Unpredictable Schedules
Business travellers, people with high-pressure jobs, or those with family obligations that may be subjected to change could also appreciate CFAR’s flexibility.
3. People with Health Concerns
Traditional policies are good for illness that is not known of ahead of time, CFAR is a safety net for non health specific conditions, or pre-existing conditions (if no waiver is signed).
4. Anyone Seeking Maximum Flexibility
Those who appreciate the flexibility to change their mind without an egregious financial penalty stand to benefit most from CFAR.
5. Those Planning Far in Advance
The further in advance the planning, the more ability there is to absorb unanticipated events, so that was prudent (IMO) for the early planners to do.
How to Choose a CFAR Policy
1. Compare Providers
Compare CFAR policies from different insurance companies to ensure you have the greatest coverage for your unique requirements.
2. Understand Reimbursement Percentages
Seek the most variable percentage, such as 75%, rather than 50%.
3. Check Eligibility Requirements
Double-check that you meet the purchase timeline and full trip cost insurance requirements before purchasing a policy.
4. Read the Fine Print
Do remember to read the policy document for exact terms and conditions and any small print exclusions to avoid surprises at a later stage.
5. Consider Your Trip Details
Match that policy to your individual travel needs and your potential for risk, so you aren’t left without coverage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, travel insurance with CFAR allows for a special form of protection that affords flexibility and peace of mind to travellers. Though it may be an added cost, you’ll have peace of mind along with the ability to cancel for any reason. If you have a trip and want to protect your investment, look into CFAR.
Call to Action
Review CFAR benefits for your next journey, get a free quote now and learn more about TravelSafe’s comprehensive travel insurance coverage to support your trip. CFAR travel insurance, peace of mind travel, protect your vacation
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I purchase CFAR insurance after I’ve paid for my trip?
Normally you have to have purchased CFAR insurance in 10-21 days of you first payment.
2. Is CFAR available for pre-existing conditions?
Indirectly, CFAR allows you to cancel for issues which may be related even when you do not have a waiver in place, but it is not medical coverage itself.
3. Is CFAR insurance actually worth the extra cost?
It’s really down to your personal risk tolerance, the cost of the trip and how much flexibility you need. For lots of folks who spend time on the road, the peace of mind is worth the cost.
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