Trip Insurance Considerations

Travel insurance benefits vary from plan to plan -as does the coverage one may desire.  The following is a list of typical issues that may arise during a trip that you may want to consider when evaluating trip insurance plans.   Some situations are typically covered in base policies, while others may only be covered under a Cancellation For Any Reason (CFAR) policy – or perhaps not covered at all.   Any particular coverage concerns should be clarified with insurance reps.

Note: SJSC makes no recommendations of insurance carriers and plans.  This document is provided merely as food for thought.   
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• Baggage delay or loss of money or possessions from loss or theft
• 24-hour travel assistance
• Medical/dental expenses during the trip, including transportation
• Cancellation or early return home due to medical emergency to self or immediate family member, due to illness, accident or death.  
• Emergency evacuation from destination to a hospital of your choice.   
• Incurred cost of a missed connection, including higher priced alternative route or layover lodging. 
• Financial default or failure of airline, lodge or resort operations
• Cancellation or interruption due to damage to home from natural event, mechanical failure or other causes.
• Inclement weather issues – cancellation, interruption or extended stay at destination or connecting city
• Civil or political instability at home or destination
• Loss of employment due to involuntary layoff or termination
• Trip cancellation due to critical employer or personal business issues
• COVID-related issues:
  • Denial of entry to destination due to local or national health policies
  • Trip interruption due to quarantine upon arrival at destination
  • Shutdown of destination skiing operations
  • Costs incurred due to quarantine restrictions, including additional lodging expenses at destination prior to return home
  • Trip cancellation due to positive COVID test result.
  • Fear of travel because of prevailing infection rates

 

• CANCEL FOR ANY REASON (CFAR):
  • A CFAR plan is supplemental to a base plan, not a replacement for it. 
  • Usually must be purchased soon (10 to 21 days) after initial trip payment and must apply to 100% of pre-paid, non-refundable trip cost.
  • Cancellation must be no less than 48 to 72 hours before trip departure
  • A CFAR plan typically partially reimburses (50 to 75%) for reasons not otherwise covered in the base policy
  • Traveler should check that cancellation isn’t already covered in base policy, which reimburses at 100%