What New York residents should know about travel insurance

With global conflicts, flight disruptions and travel advisories making headlines in recent weeks, some Long Islanders planning trips are taking a closer look at travel insurance.

But experts say many travelers misunderstand what policies actually cover, particularly when it comes to major events like geopolitical conflict.

Most standard travel insurance policies do not cover cancellations related to acts of war or fear of travel, and flexible upgrades like "Cancel for Any Reason" coverage are generally not available to New York residents.

"People are asking more questions about insurance and what happens if something changes," said April D’Andrea, owner of Lifted Travel Co., a travel agency based in Massapequa. "They want to make sure they understand what’s covered before they commit to a trip."

Here’s what to know before buying a plan.

What does travel insurance usually cover?

Travel insurance is designed to protect travelers from unexpected costs that can arise before or during a trip. The exact coverage depends on the policy, but most comprehensive plans include several common protections.

These can include trip cancellation coverage, which reimburses prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if a traveler cancels for a covered reason such as illness or severe weather. Trip interruption coverage may help pay for the unused portion of a trip and the cost of returning home early if plans change unexpectedly.

Policies often include trip delay coverage, which can reimburse travelers for meals, lodging or other expenses if flights are significantly delayed.

Many plans also include medical coverage while traveling, payment for doctor visits, hospital stays or other treatment if a traveler becomes sick or injured. Some plans also offer emergency evacuation coverage, which can pay for transportation to the nearest adequate medical facility if needed.

Travel insurance may also reimburse travelers for lost, stolen or delayed luggage, including the cost of essential items while waiting for bags to arrive.

Does travel insurance cover cancellations because of global conflict or safety concerns?

Usually not.

Standard travel insurance policies typically cover specific listed reasons such as illness, injury or severe weather. They generally do not cover cancellations because a traveler feels uncomfortable about a destination or worried about geopolitical tensions.

"Standard trip cancellation policies cover specific listed reasons," said Suzanne Morrow, chief executive of InsureMyTrip, a travel insurance comparison website and brokerage. "They often exclude acts of war and do not cover cancellations because of fear of travel or general instability."

What is "Cancel for Any Reason" coverage?

"Cancel for Any Reason," often called CFAR, is an optional upgrade that allows travelers to cancel their trip for reasons not normally covered by standard insurance policies.

If eligibility requirements are met, travelers can typically receive 50% to 75% reimbursement of prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs.

"It’s designed for flexibility, but timing is critical," Morrow said.

These plans usually must be purchased within about 14 to 21 days of the first trip deposit, and travelers typically must insure the full cost of their trip and cancel at least 48 hours before departure.

Can New York travelers buy CFAR coverage?

In most cases, no.

Because of New York State insurance regulations, CFAR coverage is generally not available to New York residents, meaning Long Islanders typically rely on standard travel insurance plans.

Those policies can still provide protection for covered situations such as illness, injury, severe weather or certain travel disruptions, but they do not offer the same flexibility as CFAR.

"It makes reviewing policy details especially important," Morrow said.

When should travelers buy travel insurance?

Experts recommend purchasing a policy as soon as you make your first trip payment.

Buying early allows travelers to qualify for time-sensitive benefits that may only be available shortly after the first deposit.

Another important concept is "foreseeability." Once a disruption becomes widely known, new policies usually will not cover losses related to that event.

"That’s why when you buy your policy matters so much," Morrow said. "Waiting limits options."

How else can travelers protect their trips?

Insurance is only one layer of protection. Travelers can also reduce risk by booking flexible reservations whenever possible.

Choosing refundable or changeable airline tickets and hotel reservations can make it easier to adjust plans if something changes.

Experts recommend making sure all major parts of a trip offer similar flexibility. For example, being able to change hotel dates may not help if flights are nonrefundable.

Travel advisers also suggest booking directly with airlines and hotels when flexibility is important. Reservations made through third-party online travel agencies or credit card travel portals can sometimes come with additional restrictions or make changes more complicated.

"A lot of travelers assume insurance will cover anything that comes up," D’Andrea said. "It’s really about understanding the policy and making sure it fits the trip you’re taking."