What is Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance?
Trip cancellation insurance for any reason is a type of travel insurance plan or upgrade that provides you reimbursement for cancelled trips, irrespective of the reason. A trip cancellation insurance for any reason covers more cancellation reasons than a basic travel insurance plan, hence offering higher flexibility to users. This plan even covers you when you wish to cancel your trip as a precautionary step due to any kind of personal reasons or emergencies.
Let’s get to uncovering some of the most common myths as well as facts about this special travel insurance upgrade.
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There Are No Exceptions to Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance - Myth
Contrary to the claim, exclusions and exceptions also apply to cancel for any reason travel insurance plans just like any other type of insurance plan out there. While most cancellation reasons are covered by ‘cancel for any reason’ add-ons, other types of exclusions may still apply.
For instance, you may be required to purchase these covers within a stipulated timeframe after buying your trip tickets. Similarly, your cancellation may only stand valid if you do it before a certain number of days from your departure, or that only a part of the expenses is reimbursed with cancel for any reason travel insurance plans.
Ultimately, while the technicalities may differ for each provider, the concept is universally applicable in that exceptions still apply to cancel for any reason travel insurance plans.
Cancel for Any Reason Trip Insurance is Overly Expensive - It’s Circumstantial
This is neither a myth nor a fact if we talk about technicalities. You can find several tiers or variants of cancel for any reason travel insurance plans in the UAE, with each tier offering a different level of coverage. Depending on the coverage level you choose, your cancel for any reason travel insurance may come with moderate to high cost.
However, the cost of cancel for any reason travel insurance upgrades is generally higher than other types of available add-ons. On average, you can expect your cancel for any reason travel insurance plans to cost up to 50% more than standard travel insurance plans.
Only a Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance Will Cover Covid-19 Expenses - Myth
This one is completely untrue. Given the devastation wrecked by the Covid-19 pandemic on the entire world, most travel insurance plans are now designed with a Covid-19 cover intact. Even if you buy a basic travel insurance plan and not a special cancel for any reason travel insurance cover, you will be covered for Covid-19 related expenses if diagnosed with infection while on the trip.
If you need to cancel your trip due to Covid-19 infection, your basic plans will cover the cancellation expenses in most cases. However, to confirm the same, discuss with your provider or read the key benefits offered by your basic travel insurance plan.
Your Trip Expenses Are Covered in Full with Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance - Myth
Unlike your basic travel insurance coverage that generally covers non-refundable expenses in full, your cancel for any reason travel insurance will only cover a maximum of 75% of the expenses. It should be noted that there may be 2 tiers available for travel insurance cancel for any reason plans with your provider. The lower, less expensive tier may offer up to 50% coverage for the non-refundable expenses of the trip. The higher tier variant, on the other side, may offer up to 75% coverage for your covered expenses.
However, the key fact here is that this aspect only applies to cancellation reasons not covered by your basic plan. All cancellation reasons covered by your basic plan will be covered as per the terms stated in the basic plan policy wordings.
Sick Pets Are Covered as a Valid Reason in Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance - Truth
If your pet is sick and you have to cancel your trip to take care of them, your cancel for any reason travel insurance will mostly cover your non-refundable trip expenses. Unless it is listed as an exclusion specifically, most providers offer this coverage in their travel insurance cancel for any reason plan. Most personal reasons that could not have been anticipated in advance are covered under these plans, and that includes pet illnesses as well. Still, it is advisable to take precautionary action and confirm it with your provider in advance or examine the policy wordings carefully.
Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance Can Be Purchased Anytime - Myth
Unlike the basic travel insurance plan that you can buy even a minute before your trip begins, cancel for any reason travel insurance cover does not come with this flexibility. Most insurers only let you get cancel for any reason cover within 7-21 days after submitting the initial trip deposit. Thus, if you wish to buy cancel travel insurance several months after booking a trip, it won’t be possible. Different providers may have different deadlines for buying trip insurance cancel for any reason add-on. Make sure you check with yours.
Last-Minute Cancellations Are Covered Under Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance - Myth
While the name “cancel for any reason” may give the impression that all cancellations at any point of time before your trip begins are covered, it is not the case. There is generally a stipulated timeline before which you have to cancel your trip if you want it covered under trip insurance cancel for any reason.
Most insurance providers only cover trips that are cancelled at least 48 hours before the departure time. So if you wake up on the day of the departure and cancel the trip for any reason not covered in the base plan, chances are that you will lose your money. However, any last-minute cancellations due to medical and such uncertain emergencies will still be covered by your base plan.
To Sum It Up
Cancel for any reason travel insurance is a great way to get additional peace of mind when you have major travel plans ahead of you. Travelling indeed costs a lot, especially when one engages in overseas travel. Having extra security in such cases is not unfavourable. However, always make sure that you are well aware of the terms of the plan you buy, whether it is a basic travel insurance plan or trip cancellation insurance for any reason.
Compare your options at policybazaar.ae and make your choices. Take assistance from our insurance experts and find your best suitable cancel for any reason travel insurance with ease.