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Compare trip interruption for travelers
Find coverage that has your back when you need to cancel or change plans during travel.
Trip interruption lets you return home unexpectedly in the middle of traveling while getting reimbursed for unused, nonrefundable expenses. But make sure you know what passes as a qualified interruption first.
Is trip interruption worth it while traveling?
Trip interruption coverage may be worth considering if you plan your travel months or years in advance, you need more flexibility or if travel costs are expensive for you.
However, paying more money for trip interruption may be unnecessary for shorter, less expensive trips like domestic travel, or if you already have coverage through your travel insurance or credit card perks.
- You might want this coverage if your trip includes:
- An all-inclusive vacation package
- Cruises
- International travel
- Resorts
- Multiple stops
- Several weeks or months away from home
- You might not need this coverage if:
- Your plans are local
- You have a short trip
- Your credit card offers free trip interruption coverage
What’s included with trip interruption for traveling?
The exact items covered under trip interruption can differ between insurers. But you’ll typically receive:
- Refunds for prepaid expenses, usually 100% to 150% of your trip’s cost
- Refund for a companion’s lodging if you booked shared accomodations
- Cost of traveling home
- Refund for unused lodging or services covered by your policy
- Extra lodging, meals and transportation if you need to stay at your destination longer, up to a specific amount
- Customer support to arrange your travel back home or relay messages to family
What’s the difference between trip interruption and trip delay coverage?
Trip interruption coverage is different from trip cancellation and trip delay coverage. Trip cancellation reimburses you for nonrefundable expenses if you cancel your tip. Trip delay coverage pays for food, lodging or transportation if your travel gets delayed by travel businesses, such as a delayed flight.
How does trip interruption for traveling work?
Trip interruption goes into effect after you leave for a trip, reimbursing expenses if you need to cut your trip short or stay at your destination longer. Many travel insurance companies include this benefit in their policies. Some companies lower your cost by nixing trip interruption altogether, while others let you choose it as extra coverage.
If your plans change for any reason covered by your policy, you should call your insurance company as soon as possible. Some companies have time limits for notifying them, such as 72 hours.
After explaining your plans, your company should help you make arrangements and coordinate reimbursements. However, you may need to contact any other services booked like hotels or car rentals to change your plans with them.
Possible reasons covered by your insurance include:
- Change in military orders for you, a traveling partner or a non-traveling family member
- Death in the family
- Injury or death of a traveling partner
- Legal duties, such as court appearances
- Mandatory government evacuation
- Natural disaster
- Personal illness or injury
- Poor weather
- Terrorist attack
- Traffic accidents
- Unforeseen strike or protest at home or at your destination
Case study: Trip interruption for traveling in action
Susan is spending two weeks in Kenya next year, but she already booked her flight and lodging to save money. The total cost of her trip is $5,000, and her policy offers up to 100% for trip interruption or cancellation coverage.
Halfway through the vacation, she received a call that her father had a stroke. Knowing she had insurance, Susan first requested a refund from her flight, hotel and car rental companies directly.
She then filed a claim with her travel insurance, submitting receipts with itemized costs for expenses that couldn’t be reimbursed directly. She also filed a doctor’s note to prove her father’s health condition.
While Susan coordinated the receipts, her travel insurance company booked a different flight and ground transportation home. Once home, she could file any food, lodging and transportation expenses spent during the return trip.
Covered charges included:
| Flight change fee | $500 |
| Cancellation fees for hotel and rental car | $150 |
| Hotel stay, nonrefundable night | $100 |
| Tour guide, nonrefundable | $1,000 |
| Meals during return trip | $40 |
| Transportation to and from airport | $100 |
| Total | $1,890 |
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What’s not covered by trip interruption for traveling?
Travel interruption coverage won’t cover certain trip changes, such as:
- Controlled or voluntary circumstances
- Expenses or refunds related to extreme sports or sports competitions
- Interruptions due to pregnancy
- Known threatening conditions at the destination
- Pre-existing medical conditions
- Travel for medical treatment
- Travel vendor’s bankruptcy
Bottom line
You might want to ensure you have trip interruption on your travel insurance if you’re booking expensive travel far in advance. But different travel insurance companies offer a variety of coverage and benefits to go along with that interruption coverage. Consider the options that work best for your adventures, whether near or far.
Frequently asked questions about trip interruption coverage
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