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Best Trip Cancellation Insurance Plans for 2024

Sometimes things are out of your hands. Make sure your trip is covered should you be forced to cancel.
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  • Trip cancellation insurance can reimburse you for up to 100% of your total prepaid, non-refundable trip costs if you are forced to cancel for reasons covered in your plan.
  • Getting a plan that includes trip cancellation coverage will increase your travel insurance policy by around half versus opting for a medical-only travel insurance policy, but the added benefits are worth it.
  • The added benefits of trip cancellation plans typically include coverage for things like travel delays, lost and damaged personal items, and emergency medical care.
  • We compared over 30 providers, and our top picks for the best trip cancellation insurance for this year come from Generali, Seven Corners, and Travelex. (skip ahead to see plans).
  • Since covered reasons for canceling can vary by provider, we recommend using a comparison tool to see multiple plans and providers side by side to find a plan that meets your travel requirements.
Other Popular Pages:
Best travel insurance Cheapest travel insurance Emergency travel medical Trip cancellation insurance Medical evacuation COVID-19 insurance Seniors' travel insurance Annual travel plans Cruise insurance
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Other Popular Pages:
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Best travel insurance Cheapest travel insurance Emergency travel medical Trip cancellation insurance Medical evacuation COVID-19 insurance Seniors' travel insurance Annual travel plans Cruise insurance
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Generali Global Assistance
Generali Global Assistance Premium
Faye Travel Insurance
Faye Travel Insurance Faye Travel Protection Plan
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Compare plans from providers side by side
Type of medical coverage
Secondary
Primary for International trips
Emergency Medical
$250,000
$100,000
Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
$1,000,000
$500,000
Covers COVID
YES
Covered
Pre-Existing Conditions
NO
Waiver Available
Extension Of Coverage
NO
In certain circumstances
Non-Medical Evacuation
NO
YES
Trip Cancellation
100% trip cost
100% trip cost
Trip Interruption
175% trip cost
150% trip cost
Travel Delays
6+ hours
$4500 limit, 6+ hours
Missed Connection
3+ hours Cruise & tour only
YES
Baggage Loss
YES
YES
Baggage Delay
12+ hours
YES
24 Hour AD&D
$50,000
NO
Flight Only AD&D
$100,000 $200,000 policy limit
NO
Common Carrier AD&D
NO
NO
Sports & Activities
NO
Extreme Sports optional
Sports Equipment Loss
NO
YES, as baggage
Sports Equipment Delay
NO
YES, as baggage
Sports Fees
NO
YES
Rental Car Damage
$25,000
Optional
Money Back Guarantee
YES
YES
24 Hour Assistance Service
YES
YES
Cancel For Any Reason
NO
Optional
AMBest Rating
Better Business Bureau Rating

Here is a look at our picks for 2024

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Best for Add-Ons and Extras

Full Policy Details

Generali Global Assistance

 4.34
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Preferred Plan
Premium
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$250,000 / $1,000,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

You can purchase CFAR protection with Generali Global Assistance’s Premium travel insurance plan, which offers 60% reimbursement after filing a claim. We rate this provider highly due to the variety of upgrades, bonus coverage, and add-ons they offer, including optional CFAR coverage and rental car coverage and automatically included coverage for pre-existing conditions.

Generali Global Assistance CFAR coverage reimburses you for up to 60% of your prepaid trip costs, but it must be purchased within 24 hours of making an initial trip payment. You can use this coverage by canceling more than 48 hours before your scheduled departure date, although all insured travelers have to cancel for insurance to apply.

Read our full review

PROS

  • High coverage limits with top tier Premium plan
  • Some plans let you add on CFAR coverage
  • Pre-existing conditions covered in the Premium plan
  • Comes with 24-7 worldwide travel assistance services

CONS

  • The standard plan comes with low plan limits, including just $50,000 per traveler in medical and dental expense
  • CFAR coverage must be purchased within 24 hours of the initial trip deposit
  • A 12-hour waiting period is required for luggage delay coverage

Best for Customer Service

Full Policy Details

Faye Travel Insurance

 4.5
GET A QUOTE via the Faye website
Preferred Plan
Faye Travel Protection Plan
Covers COVID
Yes
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$100,000 / $500,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Faye is a new travel insurance disruptor that offers an innovative solution to travel insurance with a digital-first approach. What sets them apart is their user-friendly solution to a traditionally bureaucratic system. With Faye, users can manage everything online or via the Faye app – including the entire booking and claims process. Although it’s a newer provider in the travel insurance industry, Faye is already rising as a fan favorite among young, tech-savvy travelers and digital nomads who want quick, convenient, and reliable travel insurance without having to go through an agent.

Apart from their online-first approach, Faye is easy to use and caters to all types of travelers including those who may want help via phone support.

Another feature that sets Faye apart from the competition is their plan offerings. Faye offers one base plan with an array of comprehensive coverage and optional add-ons to customize your plan.

Potential Add-ons include:

  • Pet care
  • Rental car care
  • Cancel for any reason
  • Vacation rental damage
  • Adventure & extreme sports

If you are looking for a convenient and cost-effective way to insure your vacation, consider opting for Faye travel insurance. *Note: Coverage limits and availability may vary by state of residence.

Read our full review

PROS

  • Friendly agents
  • Easy-to-use mobile app
  • Fast reimbursements for eligible claims
  • Prompt replies to questions

CONS

  • Long wait times for reimbursement
  • Difficulty reaching Faye outside of email & virtual chat

Best Basic Coverage

Full Policy Details

Travelex Insurance Services

 4.43
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Travel Select
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$50,000 / $500,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Travelex Insurance Services lets you upgrade their Travelex Travel Select plan with Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage that reimburses you for 50% of prepaid travel expenses. This coverage can apply to any travel expenses you paid for your trip upfront, including non-refundable trip deposits, eligible purchases with a travel supplier, and more.

Travelex CFAR coverage must be purchased alongside a Travelex Travel Select plan within 15 days of making an initial trip deposit. For coverage to apply, you must cancel your trip more than 48 hours before your scheduled departure. Reimbursement is for 50% of prepaid travel expenses.

Read our full review

PROS

  • Plans can be customized with upgrades
  • Children 17 and under included for free with some plans
  • Coverage for pre-existing medical conditions available
  • CFAR coverage is available as an add-on to a comprehensive travel insurance plan

CONS

  • Optional CFAR coverage only reimburses 50% of prepaid travel expenses, which is less than some competitors
  • Travel Select plan only has $50,000 in coverage for emergency medical expenses, which is lower than some competitors
  • The baggage delay benefit requires a 12-hour waiting period
  • CFAR coverage is not available with all Travelex plans

Best for High Coverage Limits

AXA Assistance USA

 4.22
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Preferred Plan
Platinum
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$250,000 / $1,000,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

AXA Assistance USA offers three main travel insurance plans (Silver, Gold, and Platinum), yet you can only add Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage to its highest tier Platinum plan. However, this add-on coverage reimburses you for 75% of non-refundable payments you have made on your trip.

AXA Assistance USA CFAR coverage can be purchased with their top-tier Platinum plan as one of the available add-ons, but it must be paid for within 14 days of the initial trip payment. Coverage reimburses you for 75% of eligible travel expenses you paid upfront.

Read our full review

PROS

  • High coverage limits in every category. Extremely comprehensive
  • Includes identity theft coverage & non-medical evacuation coverage
  • CFAR coverage reimburses 75% of prepaid travel expenses

CONS

  • Coverage cannot be extended unlike other plans
  • Medical limit is lower than other cheaper plans, but still sufficient

Best for Premium Coverage

Full Policy Details

Trawick International

 4.14
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Preferred Plan
Safe Travels Voyager
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$250,000 / $1,000,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Several of the Trawick travel insurance plans rank among our top-selling plans for 2024. The Safe Travels Voyager plan is arguably the most popular among LA Times' readers thanks to its comprehensive coverage. With its higher-than-average coverage limits over many categories, Trawick Safe Travels Voyager is the ideal choice for travelers seeking comprehensive travel insurance with high levels of policy limits.

Starting with its medical benefits, it offers a good primary medical coverage limit of up to $250,000 per person for medical emergencies and covers up to a whopping $1,000,000 per person for medical evacuation and repatriation. The plan is not the cheapest on the list, but these levels make it ideal for global international travel and even travel to remote locations. The plan can also cover pre-existing medical conditions as long as you buy the plan within 21 days of the initial trip deposit and before the final trip payment. This means it’s also a solid option for older travelers or those with existing health conditions.

Other key benefits include cancellation coverage, which can reimburse you for up to 100% of the trip cost, and interruption coverage which can reimburse you for up to 150% of the trip cost if your trip is cut short. Cancellation and interruption cancellation for COVID-19 sickness also come standard.

As with other plans, examples of covered reasons for canceling can include:

  • Medical Reasons
  • Hurricane & Weather
  • Financial Default
  • Employment Layoff
  • Terrorism

This plan also has the highest reimbursement limits for travel delays and baggage issues of any on our list of best travel plans for . You also be reimbursed for travel delays (up to $3,000 per person) and missed connections on cruises and tours (up to $1,000 per person).

Loss or delay of baggage is always a concern while traveling, but with this plan, you can rest easy. It offers coverage for:

  • Baggage and personal items loss up to $2,500
  • Baggage delay coverage up to $600 per person

Sports and activities are covered (with some limitations), and sports fees are included in the cancellation and interruption coverage.

Trawick Safe Travels Voyager plan also includes coverage for rental car damage up to $35,000 per person, a 10-day money-back guarantee after purchase, and 24-hour assistance service should you need help during your trip. Whether you’re looking for medical coverage, trip cancellation protection, or assistance services, this plan has you covered. Travel with confidence knowing you’re protected with Trawick Safe Travels Voyager.

PROS

  • Excellent medical coverage limits
  • Up to $2,500 baggage coverage included
  • Covers quarantine accommodation expenses

CONS

  • Baggage delay coverage only kicks in after 8 hours
  • CFAR only covers 75% of the insured trip cost

What does trip cancellation insurance cover?

Trip cancellation insurance can come in handy when you are forced to cancel your trip due to a reason covered in your travel insurance policy.

Every trip cancellation policy is slightly different as to what is considered a covered reason, but if you meet the requirements, the trip cancellation coverage can reimburse you for up to 100% of your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs.

This can include reimbursing you for things like airfare, lodgings, tours, excursions, etc.

Trip cancellation covered reasons

As seen in this example, travel insurance policies will typically reimburse you for the following trip cancellation reasons:

That said, each trip cancellation insurance policy comes with its own unique list of inclusions and exclusions of what can be considered a covered reason for canceling. We recommend using a comparison tool to quickly compare trip cancellation insurance plans side by side to ensure you find one that covers what you need.

Does all travel insurance cover trip cancellation?

Not all travel insurance policies will include trip cancellation coverage.

There are different levels of travel insurance. The most basic cheap travel insurance policies usually only include emergency travel medical coverage and medical evacuation coverage. This means you wouldn’t be reimbursed for things like hotel and airfare costs if you are forced to cancel your trip.

If you decide you want travel insurance that can reimburse you for these expenses, it will typically double the cost of the plan, but the coverage is usually well worth the cost.

When you go to buy travel insurance, you will be asked to enter the total trip cost and select whether you want trip reimbursement or not. This will determine if your plan includes trip cancellation coverage or only medical-based coverage.

The best travel insurance policies are both affordable and comprehensive and will include coverage for things like medical treatment, evacuation costs, trip cancellation and interruptions, travel delays, lost, delayed, or damaged baggage, rental car damage, and more.

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Optional “Cancel for Any Reason” insurance

There is also an additional type of trip cancellation coverage called “Cancel for Any Reason” (CFAR).CFAR coverage is the most expensive type of travel insurance coverage, but it allows you to cancel your trip for any reason whatsoever. This means if you suddenly decide you don’t want to go on your trip, you can cancel it and still be reimbursed for your lost expenses.CFAR coverage usually will reimburse you for up to 75% of your total trip expenses, but if you are unsure whether or not you will be able to take the trip, CFAR can be a valuable investment. That said, it does increase the cost of the policy by upwards of 50%.

Trip cancellation vs interruption insurance

Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance typically go hand-in-hand. That is, most plans that offer trip cancellation coverage will also offer trip interruption coverage as standard.

While trip cancellation insurance allows you to cancel your trip before starting it, trip interruption allows you to halt your trip once it’s already begun. With trip interruption coverage you can be reimbursed for lost expenses and extra expenses incurred if you have to alter the itinerary, rebook certain legs of your trip, or return home altogether.

Another way in which trip cancellation & interruption plans differ is with the reimbursement limits.

With trip cancellation coverage, you will usually be reimbursed for up to 100% of your prepaid non-refundable trip costs. However, with trip interruption insurance, plans often reimburse you for 150%-175% of your total prepaid, non-refundable trip costs.Needless to say, both cancellation and interruption coverage are valuable in their own rights. We recommend that you buy travel insurance that offers both as standard inclusions.

Here are some of our favorite plans.

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Best for Customer Service

Faye Travel Insurance
GET A QUOTE via the Faye website
4.5
Preferred Plan
Faye Travel Protection Plan
Covers COVID
Yes
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$100,000 / $500,000
Best Basic Coverage

Travelex Insurance Services
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
4.43
Preferred Plan
Travel Select
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$50,000 / $500,000
Best for High Coverage Limits

AXA Assistance USA
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
4.22
Preferred Plan
Platinum
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$250,000 / $1,000,000

Do I need trip cancellation insurance?

Depending on where you are traveling, how much you spent on the trip, and the likelihood of running into a travel mishap, you may or may not need trip cancellation insurance.

For example, if you are traveling in-state, and are just going on a weekend trip, the amount you stand to lose if your trip is canceled may not be enough to warrant buying a trip cancellation policy.

However, if you are traveling abroad to Italy for example, or if you are planning to visit an area prone to natural disasters (bushfires on your trip to Australia), possible bad weather (bahamas,or the Dominican Republic) terrorist attacks, etc. you may want to consider opting for trip cancellation coverage.

To help you decide if you need trip cancellation insurance, we recommend asking yourself the following questions:

1

How much money do I stand to lose if my trip is canceled?

It may not be worth getting a trip cancellation plan if the total cost of your trip is negligible. You may want to opt for a travel medical plan instead.

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2

What is the likelihood of one of the trip cancellation plan’s covered reasons applying to me or my travel partner on this trip?

This is difficult to judge, but some trip interruption covered reasons are very specific, such as military reassignments or relocation because of work. Reviewing the covered inclusions, you may find you are at a higher likelihood of needing trip cancellation coverage.

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3

Is there a high likelihood of civil unrest or bad weather at my destination?

Cancellations due to strikes, foreign or domestic terrorism, inclement weather, or natural disasters are typically all covered reasons for canceling a trip.

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4

Would I regret bearing the full cost of my trip out-of-pocket if it were to be canceled?

This depends on your personal financial situation and how you perceive the significance of financial loss due to a canceled trip. That said, if you are taking an expensive trip, cancellation travel insurance is usually a “no-brainer”.

 See More See Less

If the cost of opting for trip cancellation insurance is prohibitive, but you still need some coverage, you may want to consider opting for medical travel insurance instead.

Is trip cancellation coverage worth it?

Trip cancellation insurance is worth the money if the amount you stand to lose outweighs the total cost of the travel insurance policy. Additionally, travel insurance plans that include trip cancellation coverage typically come with many more inclusions as well such as medical coverage, interruption and travel delay coverage, coverage for lost and damaged personal items, rental car damage protection, and more.

When you weigh the cost of a trip cancellation policy, the benefits you stand to gain typically outweigh the expense.

That said, insurance is one of those things where the value is only found when it comes time to use it. Likely, you will be very glad you bought travel insurance if you find yourself in a situation where you need to rely on it. On the other hand, you may wish you had bought it if you find yourself needing it but not having coverage in place.

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Trip cancellation travel insurance FAQs

Can you just buy trip cancellation insurance?

Trip cancellation travel insurance is part of a wider and more comprehensive insurance plan. These plans include further additions such as emergency medical coverage and emergency evacuation coverage.

What qualifies as trip cancellation?

Trip cancellation is defined as any circumstance that arises that is out of your direct control. This includes cancellation of any public transportation that results in you missing a connection or any unforeseen natural disasters in your home country or vacation destination

LA Times Compare Team
LA Times Compare Team

The comparison team is a proud partner of the LA Times and is a combination of expert writers, editors, and contributors specially selected for their extensive experience writing and working in the financial industry. Every article written is thoroughly researched, edited, reviewed, and then fact-checked by a member of The LA Times staff before publication to ensure you receive accurate information.

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