Travel insurance can be confusing. I’ve been writing about it for a decade now working with Allianz Travel Insurance and I still get confused even with my Annual Plan. What’s covered, what’s not? What reasons are eligible for coverage and what if my reason isn’t listed? Have you ever worried about canceling a trip for a reason that’s not covered by travel insurance? Allianz Travel Insurance now offers a Cancel Anytime optional upgrade on some popular plans, OneTrip Prime and OneTrip Premier.

Cancel Anytime can reimburse 80% of your lost non-refundable trip costs if you cancel your trip for almost any unforeseeable reason your plan does not already cover. With Cancel Anytime, you get true peace of mind. I always say, peace of mind when you travel is invaluable!

Again, I know this can be confusing so here are some key messaging points, followed by questions and answers laid out so you can under them as related to cancel anytime:

Key Messaging Points

• With the continuing uncertainty in the world, travelers have become more interested in being able to cancel their trip because they simply want to change their plans.
• Some travel insurance products will allow travelers to cancel their trip if they decide not to travel and provide a refund for a portion of their pre-paid, non-refundable expenses.
• These products tend to be more expensive than traditional travel insurance products and are not always easy to find.
• Allianz Travel Insurance is making its Cancel Anytime product available directly to consumers for the first time.
• Cancel Anytime can be added to Allianz’s popular OneTrip Prime and OneTrip Premiere plans.
• Cancel Anytime covers up to 80% of non-refundable trip deposits when canceling for a reason not covered by standard policies and 100% of those trip costs when canceling for a “covered reason.”
• The maximum amount you can insure is $16,000.

What’s the difference between trip cancellation and Cancel Anytime?

Travel insurance with trip cancellation benefits can reimburse up to 100% of your prepaid, non-refundable expenses if you must cancel your trip due to a covered reason. Covered reasons are certain situations and events that, when they occur, mean you may be eligible to make a claim. Covered reasons for trip cancellation are listed in your plan documents, and include things like:

• The covered serious illness or injury of the insured traveler or traveling companion
• The covered serious illness or injury of your family member (if it’s life-threatening or requires hospitalization)
• You or your traveling companion getting legally separated or divorced
• Your destination becoming uninhabitable

If you cancel your trip for a reason that is not specifically covered, then your trip cancellation benefits can’t reimburse you. Cancel Anytime can. You’d get benefits for trip cost reimbursement up to $16,000 if you cancel for a reason that’s not otherwise covered in your plan.

How does the Cancel Anytime upgrade work?

Here’s one hypothetical example. You’re splurging on a trip to Hawaii to attend your friend’s destination wedding. Between the luxury resort and the airfare, you’re spending $3,000. Then, you get a tearful call from your friend. Bad news: They broke up, and the wedding’s off. More bad news: It’s too late to get a refund from the resort or the airline.

If you don’t have the Cancel Anytime upgrade, your choices are limited, since a canceled wedding isn’t covered under a normal travel insurance plan. You can go on the trip (minus the wedding), or cancel and lose the money you spent. With Cancel Anytime, you can file a claim to get reimbursed for 80% of your prepaid, nonrefundable costs. To file a claim, you’ll need to submit your proof of payment for the trip costs, as well as documentation of any refunds received and other required documentation. Then, you can get back $2,400 to take a vacation you’d actually enjoy.

What are the requirements for purchasing the Cancel Anytime upgrade?

To purchase the Cancel Anytime upgrade, you must insure the full cost of your trip within 14 days of paying your first trip deposit or other trip expense. Also, the start date of your trip must be at least 30 days in the future.

It’s not available in all states. When you’re getting a quote for travel insurance, enter your state of residence to find out if you’re eligible for Cancel Anytime.

Do I need the Cancel Anytime upgrade?

If you’re worried about having to cancel your trip for a reason that’s not covered by the trip cancellation benefit, then it can be a smart buy.

Here’s what Allianz recommends. Once you get a quote for travel insurance, click the link that says “Plan and Pricing Details (PDF)” and read through the list of covered reasons for trip cancellation. Ask yourself: Is there any likely reason you might cancel the trip that’s not included in the list? If so, you may want the additional protection of Cancel Anytime.

What are some scenarios in which the Cancel Anytime upgrade can help?

Here are some common situations that aren’t considered covered reasons for the trip cancellation benefit. If you have to cancel for one of these reasons, Cancel Anytime can reimburse 80% of your nonrefundable trip costs.

• Your dog, cat, or other pet gets sick right before your trip
• A friend or relative (who’s not included in the definition of “family member” for insurance reasons) becomes ill or dies
• Your pet sitter or childcare falls through at the last minute
• You and your significant other break up
• Your travel companion is unable to go (please note that Cancel Anytime will only reimburse travel costs for the people named in the plan)
• You have a scheduling conflict
• The concert or event you planned to see is canceled
• You change your mind about traveling
• You decide you can’t afford the trip after all
• Bad weather is predicted at your destination

Can I purchase Cancel Anytime travel insurance on its own?

It can only be purchased as an upgrade to OneTrip Prime or OneTrip Premier. When you get a quote and select one of those two plans, you’ll be offered the upgrade.

Does the Cancel Anytime upgrade apply after I’ve already left on my trip?

You must cancel your trip before you depart in order to make a Cancel Anytime claim. You may cancel on the day of your scheduled departure, however, as long as you haven’t left on your trip.

Disclaimer: I am an ambassador for Allianz Travel Insurance and receive financial compensation.

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