Why Doesn’t CFAR Cover Pre-existing Conditions?

by Steve Dasseos on July 19, 2019

To clarify, since I am not up to speed in these things, I have have been told by other companies that the Cancel for any Reason (CFAR) doesn’t apply to pre-existing medical conditions, so is it not truly Cancel for ANY Reason?

Thanks for writing. What you were told is technically correct, but you didn’t get the whole story. In my opinion, you were not given a complete answer because they failed to explain the difference between what is a “covered” and a “non-covered” reason to have a successful travel insurance claim.

For example, if someone fulfills their policy’s pre-existing medical conditions coverage requirements, they have a covered reason to cancel or interrupt their trip. And / or, to be treated for that medical condition if worsens on while on their trip.

If they do not fulfill their policy’s pre-existing medical conditions coverage requirements, they will not have a covered reason to receive any benefits for anything related to that pre-existing medical condition.

By the way, the people that could potentially have a pre-existing medical condition that would affect your trip are you, any traveling companions or your non-traveling family members.

This advice you received is a good example of an uninformed travel insurance seller. I don’t mean to imply that they misled you. They just didn’t tell you everything.

There are lots of good reasons to get the Cancel for any Reason (CFAR) coverage, even if it’s not for a pre-existing medical condition.

If you look in a policy’s wording (“Description of Coverage”, “Terms and Conditions”) you will see a Section called “Trip Cancellation”. It will read something like Benefits will be paid, up to the Maximum Benefit Amount shown in the Confirmation of Benefits, to reimburse You for the amount of the Published Penalties and unused non-refundable Prepaid Payments You paid for Travel Arrangements when You are prevented from taking Your Trip due to: a specific list of reasons.

All the reasons listed are that plan’s “covered” reasons to have a successful travel insurance claim.

You will also see another section likely called “General Exclusions and Limitations”. Everything listed in this section are “non-covered” reasons.

In addition, there are an unlimited number of risks that are not listed in the wording at all that are also “non-covered” reasons. For example: “Just before your trip you do not feel safe going to your destination”.

I hope this made sense. If you have any questions about travel insurance, call us Toll-Free at 1-888-407-3854 or email Steve (me), The Travel Insurance Guru, here or using steve [at] tripinsurancestore.com.

I hope this makes sense. If you want the right travel insurance advice, call us at 1-888-407-3854 and we'll help you figure it all out.

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