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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.
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.
The exact items covered under trip interruption can differ between insurers. But you’ll typically receive:
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.
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.
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 |
Travel interruption coverage won’t cover certain trip changes, such as:
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.
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