Booking a trip, whether domestic or international, in 2026 can be fraught with uncertainty. Conflict in the Middle East will continue to be a problem. causing flight disruptions The world is a frequent destination for tourists. government shutdowns In the US, unprecedented amounts of violence are occurring wait times at the airport.
In the midst of travel chaos, certain insurance policies like “cancel any time” (CFAR), have seen a significant increase. Squaremouth reports that the global events in March 2026 prompted a 27% rise in CFAR insurance purchases.
All of this means that many travelers are now considering trip coverage for the first. In times of uncertainty, travel insurance is more crucial. This is according to Suzanne Morrow CEO of the travel insurance comparison website InsureMyTrip. It’s important to know what’s covered and what’s not. If you are stuck in traffic and miss your flight, for example. long TSA security lineIt’s not normally covered. But if you’re not covered, airline delays a flight Because the crew has been impacted, coverage may be available.”
Here’s what you need to know if you are deciding whether to purchase travel insurance.
When should you purchase travel insurance?
You may not think that you need travel insurance, but there are some situations in which you might want to reconsider. Morrow says travel insurance is best for trips that you may have a lot to lose financially or in other ways. It’s worth looking into if you’re going abroad, traveling more than 100 kilometres from home, or booking trips with non-refundable, prepaid expenses like flights, hotel rooms, cruises or tours.
Travelers who are worried about specific things like sickness, extreme weather conditions, or other travel disruptionsAccording to Morrow. “On the contrary, if you are planning a simple road trip for a weekend near your home and have minimal expenses, it may not be necessary,” says Morrow.
Travelers who are interested in buying a travel insurance policy should purchase one as soon as they pay their first payment for their trip. Morrow says that you can unlock the best benefits when you make your first payment. In addition, certain plans offer time-sensitive upgrades that must be purchased within a specified time frame after booking. Morrow says that waiting doesn’t help you save money, but it does limit your options. If you want the most flexibility and protection, it’s always better to act sooner.
What’s your best option for travel insurance?
Experts recommend that you use comparison tools such as Squaremouth or InsureMyTrip to find the plan that is best suited for your travel requirements. It’s recommended that you upgrade your coverage to include cancellation for any reason (CFAR).
The popularity of this add-on has increased in recent months. Chrissy Vadez is the senior director of Squaremouth. She says, “The current travel scene can make travelers believe they are powerless over their plans.” By purchasing travel insurance that includes cancel for any reasons, you will be able to regain control over your plans and plan with greater confidence.
Remember that the upgrade can be expensive. According to Valdez it can increase the cost of a policy by up to 40%. However, the coverage is more comprehensive and covers situations that weren’t anticipated when the policy was booked (such as certain aspects of government shut downs or winter storms() or by simply changing your mind.
Be sure to check before you purchase your plan that adding CFAR protection is an option. Not all plans offer this upgrade. You must usually purchase the upgrade within 14-21 days after your original trip deposit.
