Trip interruption coverage generally applies to specific reasons and covered events listed in the policy.  IFAR provides an option ad-on benefit with more flexibility for travelers who have their trip interrupted or choose to essentially end their trip and return home for any reason beyond those covered by standard trip interruption insurance.

For example, suppose you’re on a two-week European vacation and several days into the trip you decide you no longer want to continue. If your reason isn’t covered under the standard trip interruption benefit, you may not have coverage to be reimbursed for the unused, prepaid, non-refundable trip costs portion of your trip.

With an eligible IFAR benefit, you can recover a significant portion of those unused, non-refundable trip costs of your trip.

How Does IFAR Coverage Work?

Plans can vary but for the TME Travel Insurance plan offering IFAR and CFAR, the plan must be purchased within 14 days of your initial trip deposit or payment to be eligible and must insure 100% of the non-refundable trip costs.

The reimbursement will be less than the full amount of your unused trip costs. For example, the TME Travel Insurance Elite Plan provides 75% reimbursement of eligible non-refundable prepaid trip expenses, which is among the highest reimbursement levels that would be available and covers up to the trip cost selected when the plan is purchased.  

When Can You Use IFAR Coverage?

IFAR may be useful if your trip is interrupted or should you choose to end your trip early but don’t have a standard covered reason for doing so.

A few possible examples:

  • You decide the trip, destination or experience isn’t what you were hoping and want to return home early
  • Something happens back home where you or a traveling companion needs to return early, but it isn’t for a covered reason.  
  • Weather is approaching and you’d rather return home before conditions worsen to avoid returning late to work or returning in time to care for a family member, children, pets, or  perhaps avoid the hassles of finding new flights and accommodations.  
  • You have a problem with your car during your trip that interrupts you reaching your destination, cruise or tour and makes continuing the trip impractical and results in the loss of non-refundable trip expenses.

These situations don’t necessarily qualify for standard trip interruption coverage, so IFAR can provide a way to recover part of your unused trip costs.

IFAR does not replace standard trip interruption coverage but rather acts to enhance coverage by providing coverage should your trip be interrupted for a non-covered reason or should you wish to end your trip for any reason.    

How Is Interruption for Any Reason (IFAR) Different from Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR)?

The easiest way to remember the difference:

CFAR = prior to your departure on your trip.
IFAR = after your departure on your trip.

CFAR (Cancel for Any Reason) can provide reimbursement when you cancel before departure for a reason that isn’t otherwise covered, subject to the policy’s terms.

IFAR (Interruption for Any Reason) applies after the trip begins and can provide reimbursement when your trip is interrupted or return home for a reason that isn’t otherwise covered.

The TME Travel Insurance Elite Plan offers both optional CFAR and IFAR benefits and is available to residents in nearly every state.

Is IFAR Travel Insurance Add-On Benefit Worth It?

Several factors may help based on your trip; including how much you’ve invested in non-refundable travel arrangements and what kind of versatility you may want should your trip be interrupted due to non-covered event. 

IFAR is worth considering for an expensive vacation, cruise, luxury trip or even multi-destination itinerary were returning home early could leave you with significant unused expenses.

For a trip where most arrangements are refundable or perhaps only a trip that is a few days long, then IFAR would not necessarily make a lot of sense as the loss may be negligible and you must be 48 hours or more into your trip with IFAR coverage before you can cancel the remainder of your trip or recover losses for a non-covered reason.  

Is IFAR Right for Your Trip?

For travelers with significant non-refundable expenses, the option may be extremely valuable.

Before purchasing IFAR and CFAR, compare the benefit with the rest of the travel insurance plan and consider how much you’ve invested in the trip and how important that added option is to you.  If you have further questions, be sure to check with your advisor or TME Travel Insurance, who can provide additional insight if needed.