Travel insurance is a smart way to protect your trip, but it doesn’t cover everything. Like all insurance, it covers specific, unforeseen events and excludes predictable, preventable, or known risks.
Understanding what travel insurance does not cover helps you choose the right plan, add the right upgrades, and avoid claim surprises later.
Quick Answer: What Isn’t Covered?
Most travel insurance plans do not cover:
- Fear of travel or change of mind
- Known or foreseeable events (like a named storm)
- Losses involving intoxication or illegal drug use
- Routine or elective medical care
- Hazardous or extreme sports (unless you add an adventure sports rider)
- Travel against government advisories
- Unreported or undocumented losses
- Pre-existing medical conditions (unless you qualify for a waiver)
Bottom line: Travel insurance covers the unexpected – not risks you already knew about or could reasonably predict.
Plain-English Definitions
To make coverage rules clearer, here are common terms you’ll see in most plans:
-
Known event: A disruption that was publicly announced before you bought your plan.
Example: A hurricane is officially named by NOAA before purchase. -
Foreseeable event: Something a reasonable person could expect based on public information.
Example: A labor strike announced weeks before departure. -
Common carrier: A licensed transportation provider that sells tickets to the public.
Example: Airlines, cruise lines, trains, and buses. -
Pre-existing condition: A medical condition you were treated for or diagnosed with during a lookback period before buying your policy.
Example: Ongoing treatment for asthma or heart disease. -
Hazardous sport: A high-risk activity that increases the chance of injury.
Example: Skydiving or mountaineering. -
Government advisory: An official travel warning issued by authorities such as the U.S. State Department.
Example: A Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are change-of-mind or fear-based cancellations covered?
No. Fear-based cancellations aren’t covered under standard travel insurance.
Exception: Add Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) for added flexibility. Learn more about the CFAR add-on.
Example: You feel uneasy about traveling but nothing specific has happened – typically not covered unless you add CFAR.
Do government advisories affect coverage?
No, if the advisory existed before you bought your policy. Travel against an existing advisory is typically excluded.
Exception: If the advisory is issued after you buy your plan, certain benefits may apply.
Example: A Level 4 advisory is issued after you buy, some trip cancellation or interruption benefits may apply, depending on the plan.
Check current travel advisories here.
Are known events (like a named storm) covered?
No. Once an event is publicly named or announced, it becomes a known event, and new policies won’t cover related losses.
Exception: Buy your policy before the storm is named.
Example: NOAA names a hurricane before you buy insurance – losses tied to that storm are typically excluded.
Are incidents involving alcohol or drugs covered?
No. Losses related to intoxication or illegal drug use are generally excluded.
Exception: None in most standard policies.
Example: An injury occurs while intoxicated, typically not covered.
Are routine or elective medical treatments covered?
No. Travel insurance covers unexpected emergencies, not routine care.
Exception: None.
Example: A scheduled cosmetic procedure abroad — not covered.
Are pre-existing conditions covered?
No. Pre-existing conditions are excluded under most standard policies.
Exception: You may qualify for a pre-existing condition waiver if you buy within a specified time window after your first trip payment.
Example: You buy insurance within 14–21 days of booking and meet plan requirements, the waiver may apply.
Learn more about the pre-existing condition waiver and how to qualify.
Are hazardous or extreme sports covered?
No. Hazardous sports are typically excluded.
Exception: Add an adventure sports rider (if available), or get coverage through SOVENTURE.
Example: Injured while skydiving, not covered unless you add adventure sports coverage. Learn more about adventure sports coverage here.
Are pandemics or epidemics covered?
Sometimes. Coverage depends on when you bought your plan and the policy’s epidemic provisions.
Documentation: CDC travel notices, medical records.
Is civil unrest, war, or terrorism covered?
Sometimes. Terrorism may be covered if it meets policy definitions; war is typically excluded.
Documentation: Government reports, official incident records.
Are labor strikes covered?
No, if the strike was announced before purchase.
Exception: Covered if unforeseen at time of purchase.
Documentation: Carrier notices showing strike announcement date.
Is pregnancy or childbirth covered?
Routine pregnancy is not covered.
Exception: Unexpected complications may be covered.
Documentation: Medical records.
Is mental health covered?
Sometimes. Emergency mental health treatment may be covered; routine therapy is not.
Documentation: Physician documentation.
Are unattended baggage or high-value items covered?
Often no. Unattended baggage and certain high-value items have strict limits.
Exception: Coverage may apply if properly secured and documented.
Documentation: Police report, receipts.
Important Buyer Tip: Timing Matters
Many travel insurance benefits are time-sensitive:
- Buy before a storm is named (check NOAA listings).
- Buy within 10–21 days of your first trip payment to qualify for a pre-existing condition waiver (varies by plan).
- CFAR typically must be added within a similar early purchase window.
- CFAR usually requires cancellation at least 48 hours before departure.
Exact timeframes vary by plan, so always review your policy wording.
Decision Table: Common Scenarios
| Scenario | Covered? | Why | When It Might Be Covered | Proof Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change of mind | No | Not unforeseen | With CFAR | Proof of cancellation timing |
| Named storm before purchase | No | Known event | Buy before naming | NOAA storm date |
| Level 4 advisory after purchase | Sometimes | New government advisory | Depends on plan terms | State Dept advisory timestamp |
| Airline cancels for maintenance | No | Not covered reason | Rarely | Carrier cancellation notice |
| Airline cancels due to severe weather | Yes | Covered delay/interruption | Standard coverage | Carrier notice |
| Injury during skydiving | No | Hazardous sport exclusion | With adventure rider | Activity documentation |
| Pre-existing condition flare-up | No | Pre-existing exclusion | With waiver | Medical records |
| Theft of baggage | Yes (limits apply) | Covered peril | Must report | Police report, receipts |
What Proof Do I Need? Claim Checklist
Keep documentation. Most claims require:
- Carrier delay/cancellation notice (transport issues)
- NOAA named storm listing date (weather)
- State Department advisory level and issue date
- Medical records and physician notes
- Police report for theft
- Receipts for expenses
- Toxicology report (if intoxication is questioned)
Incomplete documentation is one of the most common reasons claims are denied.
Final Thoughts
Travel insurance offers valuable protection, but only for covered, unforeseen events. The key is understanding exclusions, buying early, and adding upgrades like CFAR, an adventure sports rider, or a pre-existing condition waiver when needed.
When in doubt, review your policy wording carefully and compare plans side by side. The right coverage depends on your trip, your health, and your risk tolerance, and timing can make all the difference.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article serves as a general overview of benefits and should only be used for informational purposes. Refer to your individual certificate of insurance for specific coverages, exclusions and benefits. When in doubt, please contact one of our licensed agents for additional assistance.
