Interrupt For Any Reason (IFAR) Insurance

Trip Interruption For Any Reason (IFAR), is a benefit that can be included in some travel insurance policies to refund remaining trip costs when travelers need to interrupt their trip and return home for a reason not covered by standard trip interruption coverage. Not to be confused with Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage which occurs before the trip starts, IFAR coverage take place during the trip. Standard trip interruption coverage can provide trip cost refunds for specific covered reasons. IFAR coverage can provide trip cost refunds for any reason at all.

Standard Trip Interruption Coverage

Standard Trip Interruption coverage will provide a refund of your remaining trip costs if you need to cut your trip short and return home for a specific covered reason. Standard reasons can include becoming too ill to continue your trip, finding out your home has suffered a natural disaster, or that a non-traveling family member has suddenly died. However, you can’t file a claim for reimbursement if you just find the destination unsatisfactory, or get homesick or decide to come home earlier than planned - this is where IFAR coverage comes in.

IFAR Coverage

IFAR coverage can provide a refund of up to 75% of the remaining non-refundable trip costs if you decide to come home earlier than planned for any non-listed reason.

To be eligible to add IFAR benefits to a policy (if available), you must purchase the IFAR benefit typically within a specific time period (typically 20 – 21 days) from the initial trip payment or deposit date. You must also insure 100% of your pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs when purchasing the policy.

An important requirement to use the IFAR benefit is that you must be at least 72 hours into your trip before you can cancel using the IFAR benefit. If you need to cancel prior to 72 hours after departure, standard trip interruption coverage for listed reasons in your policy will still be available. Therefore, shorter trips under 72 hours would not be able to use the IFAR benefit.

As coverage terms and conditions for trip interruption can vary by provider/plan, be sure to review the policy document, especially the exclusions, to understand the benefits being provided.

Several Examples of IFAR Coverage

Let’s look at some examples of when IFAR benefits would be applicable.

1. You’re a week into a three-week holiday when you get an urgent text that there was a fire at your pet’s boarding kennel. You’re desperate to get home and make sure that Tippy is ok. IFAR benefits can let you end your trip early to get home to check on Tippy and would reimburse you up to 75% of the amount of your remaining non-refundable trip costs.

2. You’ve just arrived at your next Airbnb location only to discover it’s not what was described or shown in the photo. The walls are cracked, and the place is a mess. Disappointed and somewhat disgusted, you decide to end the trip early and come home. IFAR can reimburse you again up to up to 75% of the amount of your remaining non-refundable trip costs for your displeasure at the accommodations.

Conclusion

Interruption For Any Reason (IFAR) benefits can be invaluable for travelers who want maximum cancellation flexibility during their trip. For situations when you need to cut a trip short and come home for reasons not listed in the policy, this additional benefit can be a lifesaver. If you’d like to find out more about IFAR or discuss policies that have this optional benefit available, call or chat with an agent from TravelDefenders today.