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Travel cancellations are looming amid jet fuel shortages from the ongoing Middle East conflict, potentially leaving some vacationers stranded without recourse — that is, if they overlooked the search for the right insurance policy.
As the cost of fuel increased 78% from a year ago to an astonishing $6.5 billion in April, airline forecasters have warned that flight cancellations are inevitable.
Travel experts who spoke to The Post said that choosing an insurance plan should be strategic, and aiming for umbrella policies that cover a variety of reasons for cancellation is imperative.
Adam Morvitz, CEO and co-founder at point.me, said that for starters, travelers should avoid hotel or airfare checkout-page insurance policies. Those typically have minimal coverage and are expensive for what you get; it’s best to purchase a separate policy after reviewing what your credit card covers, he said.
“Read the fine print carefully,” Morvitz told The Post. “Like all insurance policies, the important exclusions and limitations are often buried in small font and easy to miss on a first read.”
He added that Chase Sapphire Reserve and other premium credit cards already include robust travel protections that can rival standalone policies, for no additional costs. Chase Sapphire Reserve only requires that a portion of the flight be charged to the card, so even just charging the taxes/fees on a booking would activate the insurance benefits.
Travelers should also understand what “triggers” coverage, as policies vary on what qualifies as an “eligible travel purchase,” since some plans won’t include lodging, car rentals, airfare/transport, or tour guides in their coverage. Paying attention to whether tickets booked using frequent flyer miles or loyalty points is important because many cards only cover purchases made entirely on the card, without booking via an airline program.
Frequent fliers should consider whether an annual trade policy — where the purchase of one plan will provide year-round protection — is worth it, as one provides comprehensive, ongoing coverage rather than buying these policies on a per-trip basis.
Lauren Gumport of Faye Travel Insurance said travelers should look for high medical emergency coverage for trips, for which Faye has provided up to $250,000 in coverage for sudden illness or injuries, including hospitalization and prescriptions.
“Look for 24/7 support — make sure the provider doesn’t disappear after purchase and offers ongoing companionship throughout the trip,” Gumport. told The Post, noting that weekends and holidays should be an option “because trip hiccups don’t stick to normal business hours.”
If a plan does not advertise 24/7 support, customers should inquire about the company’s hours.
The option to customize coverage with add-ons, like rental car coverage and vacation rental damage protection, is always a benefit for travelers.
“Ease of speaking to a doctor when you’re abroad is something to look for,” said Gumport. “Some providers, Faye included, can connect you with a network of telemedicine medical professionals whom you can speak to via video chat when you’re feeling sick abroad.” Generali Global Assistance is another company where policy-holders receive 24/7 access to physicians by phone or video.
Some insurance plans cover instances such as war, terrorist incidents, protests, pandemics and diseases. In terms of cancellations that cover acts of war, look out for wording that specifically covers a “catastrophe” or “civil unrest.”
U.S. News Travel listed Travelex Insurance, Seven Corners and World Nomads Travel Insurance as their top 3 travel insurance companies of 2026. Travelex Insurance has three different trip protection plans for single-trip insurance, with multiple options including “cancel for any reason” coverage, rental car protections, pet care benefits, and adventure sports coverage in case of injury on excursion. Reviews of Travelex say the process was straightforward, with friendly customer service agents.
Seven Corners has a 24/7 available customer service team and also offers “cancel for any reason” as an add-on, which is imperative for cancellations due to possible fuel-shortages.
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