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For Ultimate Flexibility: Best “Cancel For Any Reason” Travel Insurance 2025
December 12, 2024
What Is “Cancel For Any Reason” Travel Insurance?
Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage is an optional add-on to a standard travel insurance policy that allows you to cancel your trip for any reason not normally covered by insurance and receive a partial refund of prepaid costs. In practice, CFAR reimburses a percentage of your nonrefundable trip expenses (typically 50% to 75%) if you cancel, whereas regular trip cancellation insurance only covers specific reasons like illness or natural disasters. For example, if you simply change your mind about traveling or feel uneasy due to world events, CFAR would kick in – something standard policies won’t do.
However, CFAR comes with special requirements and limitations. To use CFAR benefits, you generally must:
- Purchase the coverage soon after your first trip payment: Most insurers require buying CFAR within 10–21 days of your initial trip deposit. This is a time-sensitive benefit – you can’t add CFAR at the last minute before your trip.
- Insure 100% of your nonrefundable trip costs: You must cover the full prepaid amount; you can’t choose to insure only part of your expenses if you want CFAR protection.
- Cancel at least 48 hours before departure: CFAR generally won’t reimburse “last-minute” trip cancellations. You need to cancel the trip usually 2+ days prior to the scheduled departure to qualify for a claim.
Importantly, even with CFAR you won’t get a full refund. Reimbursement maxes out around 50–75% of lost costs (you eat the remainder as the trade-off for having total flexibility). CFAR also increases your insurance cost significantly – adding this benefit typically raises your premium by about 40–50%. In dollar terms, a policy with CFAR costs roughly $56–$57 per travel day on average, compared to a standard plan’s ~$40/day.
Despite the added expense, CFAR can be a trip-saver for those who need the ultimate peace of mind. It became especially popular after the 2020 pandemic, as it’s effectively the only coverage that reimburses cancellations due to epidemic fears or travel bans (events excluded by normal policies).
Best CFAR Travel Insurance Plans in 2025
When shopping for the best Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance, look for policies that balance high reimbursement rates, reasonable terms, and strong overall coverage. Not every insurer offers CFAR, but several top travel insurance companies do. Below we highlight some of the top CFAR options for U.S. travelers in 2025:
Before purchasing your travel insurance, consider which credit card you use to pay. Some cards offer travel insurance perks or reward bonuses. Kudos is a free browser tool that helps you pick the best card for any purchase – even insurance – so you can earn maximum points or gain extra benefits effortlessly.
Travel Insured International – FlexiPAX Plan (Best Overall)
Travel Insured International’s FlexiPAX is a standout CFAR option, often regarded as the best overall CFAR travel insurance plan. Its popularity is backed by data – FlexiPAX accounts for about 45% of all CFAR policy sales on one major marketplace. The plan’s appeal comes from flexible eligibility and generous coverage. FlexiPAX has an industry-leading 21-day window after your trip deposit to purchase CFAR coverage (most competitors allow 10–20 days).
It also reimburses 75% of your prepaid trip expenses for any uncovered cancellation – the highest reimbursement percentage offered by any policy on Squaremouth’s platform. In other words, if you have to scrap a $10,000 vacation for a non-covered reason, this plan could pay you back $7,500. Additionally, FlexiPAX covers large trip costs (up to $100,000 per person) and allows add-ons like “Interruption for Any Reason” to further protect your travels.
Seven Corners – Trip Protection Basic (Best Value)
If you’re looking for affordable CFAR coverage, Seven Corners’ Trip Protection Basic plan is often cited as the best value choice. While CFAR coverage is known to be pricey, this plan keeps costs relatively low – premiums average only about 7.5% of your trip cost (roughly half the cost ratio of some competitors). Despite the lower price, it doesn’t skimp on benefits: Trip Protection Basic still offers 75% reimbursement for cancel-any-reason claims and gives you a 20-day purchase window after your initial payment to qualify.
Like most CFAR plans, you’ll need to cancel at least 2 days before departure and insure the full trip amount. Seven Corners is known for broad availability (plans available in all 50 states) and flexibility – this policy even automatically includes an “Interruption For Any Reason” add-on alongside CFAR for extra post-departure protection. For budget-conscious travelers who want CFAR, Seven Corners provides robust coverage without breaking the bank.
Tin Leg – Gold Plan (Best for Medical Coverage)
Tin Leg Gold is an excellent pick for travelers who want CFAR flexibility and top-notch medical coverage in one policy. This plan is popular with adventurous and international travelers, as it comes standard with up to $500,000 in emergency medical coverage – the highest medical limit of any comprehensive travel plan on the market. It even covers over 250 sports and activities (from scuba diving to skiing), which appeals to thrill-seekers.
Tin Leg Gold offers the CFAR upgrade with the usual conditions (purchase within 14 days of booking, insure 100% of costs, cancel >2 days in advance) and provides up to 75% reimbursement for cancellations. While its CFAR terms aren’t the very most generous (the purchase window is a bit shorter than some others), the plan’s overall protection is one of the most well-rounded. If you’re especially concerned about medical emergencies on top of trip cancellation risks, Tin Leg’s coverage combo is hard to beat.
Allianz Travel Insurance – OneTrip Prime (Cancel Anytime) (Highest Refund Rate)
Most CFAR policies cap reimbursement at 75%, but Allianz offers a Cancel For Any Reason upgrade that can refund even more. Allianz’s OneTrip Prime (with the optional Cancel Anytime add-on) stands out for providing an industry-leading 80% reimbursement of prepaid trip costs. Even better, it allows you to cancel up to the day of departure and still file a CFAR claim – whereas standard CFAR requires canceling by the 48-hour mark.
This makes Allianz’s Cancel Anytime one of the most flexible options nationwide. The trade-off? It’s typically available only on certain higher-tier plans and may cost more. (Allianz’s CFAR-like benefit often must be purchased through an agent or as an upgrade, and it might not be offered in every state.) For travelers seeking the maximum possible refund and last-minute cancel ability, Allianz is a top contender. Just be sure to buy the coverage within the required timeframe (Allianz’s window is usually 14–15 days from initial trip payment).
Tips for Choosing CFAR Coverage
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Buying CFAR travel insurance is a commitment, so use these tips to make the most of it:
Assess your need for flexibility
CFAR typically adds significant cost (roughly 40-50% more premium). Ask yourself if you’re likely to cancel for a reason standard insurance won’t cover. If you have concerns about unpredictable events (e.g. pandemic surges, family emergencies, work conflicts), CFAR can be worth it for the peace of mind. On the other hand, if your trip is straightforward and you’re confident you’ll go unless seriously ill, a regular comprehensive policy might suffice.
Compare reimbursement levels
Not all CFAR upgrades are equal. Most refund 75% of your costs, but a few offer less (some only 50%). A higher reimbursement percentage means more money back if you cancel, but those plans may come with higher premiums. For example, AIG’s Travel Guard CFAR option reimburses only 50%, whereas Allianz’s can go up to 80%. Opt for the plan that offers the best balance of refund percentage vs. price for your budget.
Mind the purchase deadline
Mark your calendar for the CFAR eligibility window. If an insurer requires buying within, say, 15 days of your initial trip payment, don’t miss that window. You usually cannot add CFAR later; if you try to upgrade after a few weeks, you’ll likely be out of luck. Purchase the insurance (or at least lock in CFAR coverage) as soon as possible after making your first trip deposit.
Ensure 100% of trip costs are covered
To avoid claim denial, always insure the full nonrefundable cost of your trip when buying a CFAR policy. If you only insure a portion (for example, just your flights and not your hotel), you may void the CFAR benefit. Include all prepaid components – flights, hotels, tours, cruise fare, etc. – in the coverage amount.
Remember the 48-hour rule
Plan to cancel no later than 2 days before departure if you intend to use CFAR. Waiting until the eve of your trip (or simply being a no-show) means you won’t qualify for reimbursement. If you’re on the fence about going, make the go/no-go decision by that deadline to use your CFAR protection effectively.
By following these tips and choosing a reputable provider, you can maximize the value of CFAR insurance and travel with greater confidence that a change of plans won’t wipe out your wallet.
CFAR Travel Insurance FAQ
Is “Cancel For Any Reason” travel insurance worth it?
Yes, CFAR coverage can be worth it if you want ultimate flexibility. It’s the only option that reimburses you for uncovered cancellations (e.g. fear of traveling during a pandemic). Travelers who might need to cancel for personal or unpredictable reasons get peace of mind from CFAR. However, it does cost significantly more – often adding 40-50% to your premium. If you’re confident you won’t cancel except for covered emergencies, you might save money sticking with standard coverage. It really comes down to how much you value the ability to cancel no-questions-asked.
Do I have to insure my entire trip cost to use CFAR?
Yes. CFAR policies universally require you to insure 100% of your non-refundable trip expenses in order to be eligible. You can’t just cover a portion of your trip and still claim CFAR. For example, if your flights, hotels, and tour fees total $5,000, you need to insure the full $5,000. Partially insuring (like only $3,000 of it) would invalidate the CFAR benefit. Always insure the full trip amount when purchasing CFAR coverage.
Can I add CFAR coverage after I’ve already booked my trip?
No, not usually. The window to buy CFAR is limited — typically within 10–21 days after your initial trip booking/payment. After that period, you cannot add CFAR to an existing travel insurance plan. If you think you’ll want CFAR, you should purchase a policy with that upgrade as soon as you book your trip (or within the time-frame required by the insurer). Waiting too long means you’ll miss the eligibility window for CFAR on most plans.
Does CFAR travel insurance refund all of my money if I cancel?
No. CFAR never provides a 100% refund. It only reimburses a partial amount of your lost trip costs – generally 50% to 75% depending on the plan. For instance, if you have $2,000 in nonrefundable bookings, a 75% CFAR policy would pay back $1,500; you’d still eat $500 of the loss. Even the most generous CFAR options (like Allianz’s 80% Cancel Anytime) will keep a small portion as a co-pay of sorts. The trade-off is that you can cancel for any reason at all, but you agree to only get part of your money back.
Will CFAR insurance cover pandemic or travel-ban cancellations?
Yes. Cancel For Any Reason means exactly that – any reason. This includes fear of a pandemic, government travel bans, or other COVID-19 related issues that standard travel insurance wouldn’t cover once those events are classified as epidemics/pandemics. With CFAR, you could cancel a trip because of rising COVID cases or simply feeling unsafe, and still get a partial refund. Just remember the timing requirements (cancel at least 2 days before departure, etc.). Also, make sure to check if the CFAR option is offered by your insurer in your state, as availability can vary.
Conclusion
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Travel plans can be unpredictable – and that’s exactly why Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance exists. CFAR coverage gives you the freedom to call off your trip for literally any reason, whether practical or personal, and recover a significant portion of your pre-paid costs. It does require an upfront investment and comes with conditions, but for many globetrotters, the flexibility and peace of mind are well worth it.
When choosing a CFAR policy, compare the reimbursement percentages, purchase windows, and overall coverage features to find the best fit. And if you’re booking your trip and insurance, don’t forget to let Kudos help along the way – it can ensure you’re getting the most out of your credit card benefits while you protect your travels. With the right coverage (and card perks) in place, you can look forward to your next adventure knowing you’re financially safeguarded no matter what happens.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
