Standard trip cancellation coverage applies to specific reasons and covered events listed in the policy such as an unexpected illness, loss of employment or a natural disaster that may impacts ability to travel. CFAR provides an optional ad-on benefit creating a high level of flexibility for travelers who may need to cancel their trip for any reason not already covered under the plan. This versatile add-on provides travelers with the greatest flexibility to cancel their trip and recover a sizable portion of their non-refundable trip costs.
How Does CFAR Coverage Work?
Plans can vary but for the TME Travel Insurance plans offering CFAR, the policy must be purchased within 14 days of the initial trip deposit or payment. Also, the insured needs to cancel their trip 2 days or more prior to the scheduled departure to be eligible.
While the reimbursement under CFAR will be less than the full amount of your unused trip costs, it allows you to recover a significant portion of your non-refundable trip costs. For example, the TME Travel Insurance Preferred and Elite Plans provide up to 75% reimbursement of eligible non-refundable prepaid trip expenses, which is among the highest reimbursement levels available.
Top Questions Regarding CFAR
Does CFAR provide coverage if I become concerned about traveling to my destination due to political unrest or other safety issues? If changes have occurred at your travel destination, such as being concerned about the destination because of political unrest, safety issues, or perhaps there is a heat wave that may have you feeling uncomfortable about traveling there, by adding optional CFAR coverage you can cancel your trip and be reimbursed up to 75% of your nonrefundable trip costs. If still inclined to travel but looking to re-arrange the trip destination or the dates of travel, you can request an endorsement to amend a TME Travel Insurance plan in advance of departure for most scenarios as well.
Can I use CFAR if my traveling companion cancels or backs out of our trip? If your traveling companion cancels or backs out unexpectedly for a reason not already covered, like an illness where a physician advises them not to travel, CFAR can provide travelers that extra layer flexibility, so they don’t lose their entire trip investment if they need to cancel as well.
Does travel insurance or CFAR cover canceling a trip because a cruise changes its itinerary? Cruise lines often change itineraries to avoid severe weather, damaged ports due to hurricanes, anticipated ship congestion and possibly even security concerns at one or more of the destinations. This is typically acknowledged in advance by travelers that they agree to any changes when booking their cruise. This is not considered a standard covered reason to cancel your trip under travel insurance plans since the cruise line is following through on what was agreed upon…even if you are not thrilled about the change. However, CFAR provides you the flexibility to cancel should the cruise line change the itinerary, and you simply no longer wish to go. The TME Elite Plan also includes IFAR (Interruption for Any Reason) when you add CFAR coverage. IFAR allows you to cancel after departure for any reason should you wish to end your trip early and be reimbursed up to 75% of the remaining value of their trip. This is ideal for last minute changes to your cruise itinerary or other circumstances not covered that me be out of your control after you have departed on your trip.
Does travel insurance or CFAR provide coverage if an event is canceled or postponed? Whether it is a family event, wedding, concert, festival or sporting event and it is cancelled or postponed, standard trip cancellation insurance coverage does not cover you should you find yourself in this predicament. CFAR, however, provides you the added versatility to cancel your trip and be reimbursed up to 75% of your non-refundable trip costs if you choose not to go.
Can I use CFAR if I simply just change my mind?
Yes, CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason) just as it indicates allows one to cancel literally for any reason, including if you just change your mind and no longer wish to travel.
Is CFAR Travel Insurance Worth It?
Several factors may help based on your trip; including how much you have invested in non-refundable travel arrangements and ability should you desire to cancel your trip for a non-covered reason or event.
CFAR is worth considering for an expensive vacation, cruise, luxury trip or even multi-destination itinerary where other factors can influence your decisions to cancel and leave you with a significant loss without added CFAR coverage.
For a trip where most arrangements are refundable or perhaps only a trip that is a few days out when you booked it, then CFAR would not necessarily make sense as the loss may be negligible and you may have no intention to cancel that close to booking your trip for a reason outside the covered perils already included in the policy.
Is CFAR Right for My Trip?
For travelers with significant non-refundable expenses, the option may be extremely valuable. Before adding the CFAR option, compare the benefit with the rest of the travel insurance plan by reviewing the policy and considering how much you’ve invested in the trip and how important that added flexibility is to you. Click here to review the policy certificates for Comprehensive Trip Plans located at the bottom of the benefits table.
Remember, CFAR does not replace standard trip cancellation coverage but rather acts to enhance it by providing coverage should you wish to cancel your trip for a non-covered reason. If you have further questions, be sure to check with your advisor or TME Travel Insurance, who can provide additional insight.