But, the standard cancellation benefit doesn’t allow you to cancel for any reason.

This is an important distinction that catches a lot of insured travelers off guard. Many think that just because they have trip cancellation with their policy, they can cancel their trip any time and for any reason.

‘Cancel for any reason’ coverage is a catch-all benefit that lets you cancel your trip and receive between 50 and 100% (depending on the plan) of your trip costs back – no questions asked.

Here are travelers’ stories ripped right from our comment board. In every case, ‘cancel for any reason’ would have saved these travelers a lot of heartache and hard-earned cash.

1. The bridge washed away and the ferries are full

Last year, after Hurricane Irene passed, the only way for travelers to get to Hatteras, North Carolina was by ferry – but the ferries were completely full! Many travelers with vacation rentals lost thousands of their vacation dollars because they simply couldn’t get to the island.

‘Cancel for any reason’ would have helped these travelers cancel their trip and get a refund.

2. Your best friend is in an accident or dies

When one traveler’s best friend committed suicide back home, she wanted to cancel her trip to be with her friend’s family.

Travel insurance plans allow for pre-departure trip cancellations and post-departure trip interruptions when covered family members are ill. The list of family members that are covered is in the plan’s description of coverage. No travel insurance plan, however, covers friends, neighbors, and other people close to you.

3. An epidemic of the flu breaks out

One traveler cancelled his trip because he had a case of the stomach flu. Not only that, his entire family was stricken with it and he didn’t want to leave them on their own.

Every insurance plan has exclusions, and travel insurance is no different. If you are canceling your trip due to illness, that illness must be verified by a physician. It must occur while the policy is in effect, and the illness must be so disabling as to prevent you from taking your covered trip.

As awful as the flu is, it might not fit these criteria unless verified by a doctor. ‘Cancel for any reason’, however, would have gotten this traveler his money back.

4. A terrorist plot is uncovered

One traveler was scheduled to visit Syria and Lebanon in the spring of 2011. The potential for terrorist attacks and a U.S. State Department travel warning for Syria made this traveler reconsider and cancel their trip.

Standard trip cancellation benefits only cover actual terrorist events that occur within a certain number of days prior to your departure. Those attacks must also occur at your destination – not nearby.

If terrorist concerns make you want to cancel your trip, ‘cancel for any reason’ is your way out.

5. Your pet is ill or dying

When you have a pet that’s close to you and they get very ill or injured, it’s natural to want to cancel your trip to care for them. As this traveler noted, her pet was considered a member of the family and these are not the kind of emergencies people can predict.

Unfortunately, travel insurance plans don’t include pets in their list of covered family members. Of course, ‘cancel for any reason’ would have gotten this traveler the reimbursement they expected.

6. Your kid has summer college commitments

Another family discovered they should have purchased ‘cancel for any reason’ when they had to cancel their summer trip after their child discovered he had unexpected summer school commitments.

While some standard trip cancellation benefits will cover school year extensions, none of them will cover this scenario.

7. Your nanny was deported

One traveler wrote to us complaining that they had to cancel their trip because their nanny (who would have been caring for the children on their trip) was deported for writing a bad check. This traveler wanted a refund on the nanny’s portion of the travel expenses.

Unfortunately, being deported is not a covered reason for cancelling a person’s trip and nannies are not covered members of the family for most travel insurance policies.

Important Facts

It’s important to note that ‘cancel for any reason’ (just like other benefit) has a number of rules:

• travelers must purchase it within a certain number of days of their initial trip payment
• travelers must insure 100% of their pre-paid travel arrangements
• a few plans have per-person maximum limits
• any amounts refunded by a travel supplier are deducted from the reimbursement
• the cancellation must occur within a certain number of days prior to departure
• the reimbursement may be subject to cancellation penalties

Read our review of ‘cancel for any reason’ coverage and get a list of companies and plans that include this coverage. Be sure to read the restrictions for each plan’s coverage so you understand it.

Leptospirosis is a disease spread by animal urine and it infects humans when they come in contact with the bodily fluids of infected animals or in contact with water, soil, or food that is contaminated. Leptospirosis is typically a hazard for people who work outdoors or with animals, and it’s been associated with swimming, wading, kayaking, and rafting when done in contaminated lakes or rivers. This disease occurs more often in tropical areas but urban flooding can cause it to spread as well.

Symptoms include high fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, jaundice, red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rash. It can cause kidney or liver failure and/or meningitis and without treatment, recovery can take months.

How Travelers Can Protect Themselves

Travelers should be aware that there is no vaccine for leptosporisis, and take the following precautions:

• Avoid swallowing potentially unclean water from lakes, streams, rivers, and swamps.
• Wear protective clothing – especially footwear – when wading in flood waters or other potentially contaminated water.
• Avoid wading in flooded areas if you have cuts or abrasions.
• Avoid contact with areas likely to be contaminated with animal urine.
• Take medication to prevent the infection.

Adult travelers headed for the Loreto region of Peru should consider taking chemoprophylaxis with doxycycline (200 mg orally, weekly) beginning 1-2 days prior and continuing through the period of exposure. This medication is not recommended for children under age 8.

Travelers at increased risk for leptospirosis and in need of malaria chemoprophylaxis should consider using doxycycline for both indications. Check with your doctor before taking any medications.

See the complete CDC outbreak notice for leptospirosis in Peru for more details.

The Lebanese government is not able to guarantee protection for foreign citizens in a country where the potential for spontaneous violence remains. Access to the borders, airports, and seaports can be closed with no warning and public demonstrations occur frequently. The U.S. government’s ability to reach travelers or provide emergency assistance is severely limited at this time.

A number of terrorist groups currently operating in Lebanon and have targeted U.S. citizens. Hizballah and other para-military groups have detained U.S. citizens and kidnapping remains a problem within the country. U.S. citizens who must travel to Lebanon despite this travel warning should keep a low profile, vary their travel times and routes, and pay close attention to their surroundings for their own personal security.

As always, the U.S. government encourages its citizens to avoid large crowds and demonstrations which can suddenly turn violent and catch a bystander off guard.

U.S. citizens living or traveling in Lebanon are encouraged to enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to obtain updates and the latest information.

Read the complete travel warning for Lebanon for more details.

In some cases, travelers didn’t have any travel insurance. Others simply didn’t understand their policy coverage.

These are the most common mistakes travelers make when buying hurricane travel insurance.

1. Buying trip insurance after the hurricane is named

Travel insurance, just like any other insurance, cannot cover ‘known events’. That’s like buying home insurance after the house is on fire!

Once a hurricane is named, it’s a known event. Therefore travelers must purchase their travel insurance before the hurricane is named. Ideally, soon after making your first trip payment.

2. Hurricane warnings are not a covered reason to cancel

A hurricane warning is just that – a warning that a hurricane may hit a particular destination with a particular force. Cancelling your trip for concerns over a possible hurricane is not covered by travel insurance (with one exception).

Recently, MH Ross updated two of their plans (Bridge and Complete) to allow trip cancellation refunds when a hurricane warning is issued.

3. Assuming hurricanes are covered

Many travelers assume that hurricane coverage is included with their travel insurance plan, but in many cases, it’s not. While it makes sense that you would want to cancel your trip if a hurricane is imminent, that’s just not enough for travel insurance plans.

Your travel insurance plan has to specifically list hurricanes (or severe weather) as a covered reason for trip cancellation and post-departure trip interruption (in case a hurricane veers toward your destination) if you are to have coverage.

4. Buying hurricane insurance from a cruise line or travel agent

It seems like an easy win to buy your insurance while you’re making your reservations, and a lot of travelers make this mistake. These plans are not 100% travel insurance and they have left a lot of travelers stranded without the coverage they need.

Hint: if you get stuck with one of these plans, you can cancel it if you do it quickly.

Your travel plan should be purchased using a travel insurance comparison site because you’ll have the best options for comparing plans that fit your trip details and your needs – not some generic plan designed for anyone (and no one in particular).

5. Failing to recognize hurricane disruption is widespread

If you miss a connection that means your cruise departs without you because a hurricane disrupted flights, you could be out of luck without travel insurance.

Even if your travel plans don’t take you in the direct path of the hurricane, they could be disrupted. Having travel insurance is important even for those who are not traveling in the hurricane’s path.

6. Ignoring the plan’s exclusions

Every insurance plan has exclusions. For example, standard trip cancellation for hurricanes says that your lodgings must be destroyed and uninhabitable to qualify for the cancellation reimbursement.

That means you can’t cancel for a refund just because the pool is filled with garbage and the beach is covered with junk, but your hotel is still standing and operable.

Your travel insurance plan details will make this clear, but you’ve got to read it. Understanding the exclusions is a critical mistake many travelers make.

The Solution?

Travel insurance is unique in that it comes with a free review period, which you can use to read the plan, think about your travel needs, and make changes or cancel the plan if it won’t work for you. Be sure to take this time to read your plan and avoid these common mistakes.

For a complete picture of hurricane season travel, see our 2012 Traveler’s Guide to Hurricane Season.

Terrorist attacks continue to occur regularly and they include bombings, fake roadblocks, kidnappings, and ambushes, particularly in rural areas such as the Kabylie region. In addition, the use of suicide bombs and vehicle-borne attacks continue in the capital.

U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Algeria should take extra precautions, including stocking adequate reserves of medicine, food, and water in their homes and lodgings. Sporadic episodes of civil unrest including riots are known to occur in Algiers and many other cities.

As always, the U.S. government recommends its citizens avoid large crowds and demonstrations because of the potential for them to turn violent. In addition, visitors to Algeria should remain alert to their personal security at all times, avoid predictable travel patterns, and maintain a low profile.

The next Algerian parliamentary elections are due to be held on May 10th and while most political gatherings are peaceful, it’s important to remain aware that they can turn violent without notice.

For more details, see the complete U.S. State Department Travel Warning for Algeria.

In addition, U.S. citizens may be subjected to harassment and/or arrest while traveling inside Iran. Since 2009, Iranian authorities have prevented the departure of a number of dual national citizens – sometimes for several months.

The U.S. government does not have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and therefore cannot provide protection or routine consular services to U.S. citizens in Iran. The Swiss government currently serves as the protecting power for U.S. interests in Iran, but the range of services provided is limited and may require significantly more processing time.

The U.S. government does not have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and therefore cannot provide protection or routine consular services to U.S. citizens in Iran. The Iranian government does not recognize dual citizenship and will not allow the Swiss to provide protective services for U.S. citizens who are Iranian nationals.

Currently, the U.S. government’s ability to help Americans in an emergency in Iran is extremely limited. For more information, see How the State Department helps U.S. Travelers in a Crisis.

Read the complete travel warning for Iran for more details.

Even travel to relatively tame parts of the world can result in horrendous medical care costs if you catch a virus or get hurt.

See this pre-travel health checklist to be better prepared on your next trip.

1. Research your destination

Before you travel, you can get country-specific information, such as security alerts, current threats to safety, and more, by selecting your destination here: http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html.

You can also learn about current weather and health risks for your destination here:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travel Notices
• World Health Organization Disease Outbreak News

In researching your destination, it’s critical to discover whether vaccinations are recommended and whether you need to carry anti-malarial medication, for example.

2. Check your health insurance plan

You cannot assume your health insurance will go along with you when you travel, so it’s critical to find out before you leave.

While a few health plans provide some coverage abroad, it’s more likely that you’ll have to pre-pay for your medical care. Many travel insurance plans, like Medicare, do not cover travelers outside the U.S. borders.

Call your health insurance provider and ask specifically whether you will have coverage in the country you plan to visit. If not, see #9.

3. Know your options for medical care

Finding reliable and qualified medical care while traveling, particularly if you don’t know the local language, can be a risky venture. Most travel experts recommend having travel medical insurance and becoming a member of IAMAT.

With travel insurance, you’ll have help locating local medical providers and arranging for emergency transportation.

IAMAT members have online access to qualified, affiliated doctors and clinics in over 90 countries – and participants are fluent in English.

4. Know how the government can assist

If you become seriously ill or are injured abroad, the local consular officer can help by informing family and friends of your condition, but it’s not the government’s responsibility to get you home.

If an overseas crisis occurs, and you have enrolled in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), then the U.S. State Department will send you updated security information.

If the State Department recommends evacuation and no commercial transportation is available, they may arrange for citizens to be transported out of the crisis zone. Those costs are paid for by the travelers.

5. Check your evacuation options

Just as many health insurance plans do not provide coverage overseas, neither do they pay for medical evacuations back to the U.S. Read how one couple was refused medical treatment in the Bahamas and had to get donations to get home.

A medical evacuation can cost tens of thousands of dollars depending on your location and your medical condition.

It’s not likely that you’ll have evacuation coverage with your credit card travel protection either, so your safest bet is to have evacuation coverage with your travel insurance plan.

6. See a doctor before you travel

Before you travel overseas, it’s a good idea to see a doctor 4 to 6 weeks before your trip to update your vaccinations, check your health, and to protect yourself if you have a pre-existing medical condition.

Your doctor will also be able to tell you which medications to take along to fight illnesses you may encounter on your trip.

7. Check your health status

The rapid spread of the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) was significantly aided by infected travelers – those who were symptomatic and those who were experiencing the incubation stage.

Aided by travelers, this new virus found its way into dozens of countries in less than 2 months after it was identified.

No one wants to cancel a trip, but there are times when it’s recommended.

8. Sort out your medications

Make sure you have enough medication to last through your trip and pack these in your carry-on luggage. Keep medicines in their original containers as it will cause less trouble when going through customs.

9. Purchase travel insurance

Now that you know the risks and your coverage, you are in a better position to select a plan based on your needs and purchase the right travel insurance to cover your trip.

While there have been no direct attacks on U.S. citizens, spontaneous and sometimes violent anti-government demonstrations occur in some neighborhoods – particularly at night and on weekends. These demonstrations have caused highway blockades and the establishment of unofficial checkpoints.

Violent clashes between security forces and demonstrators can make travel in and around Bahrain dangerous without any warning in advance.The U.S. Embassy in Bahrain, while open for routine services by appointment, is restricting its employees from traveling to certain areas and advises its citizens to do the same.

U.S. citizens are urged to watch the demonstration notices site for information on demonstrations, security information, and a map defining off-limits areas for embassy staff and their family. It’s also important for those traveling in or residing in Bahrain to stay up-to-date with current security situations and be aware of their surroundings at all times.

See the complete travel alert for Bahrain for more details and contact information.

With this travel warning, the State Department is also informing its citizens that the U.S. Embassy there has returned to fully accompanied status. The Embassy continues to monitor the country’s ability to deliver basic security services to its population, but it also recognizes that the potential for civil unrest continues.

The Embassy continues to instruct its staff to avoid large gatherings and crowds, and U.S. citizens are reminded that even those demonstrations that appear to be peaceful can shift and escalate into violence quickly.

Travelers planning to travel to Cote d’Ivoire, particularly to Abidjan, should consult the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan or your host organization for the most recent security assessments and stay on top of those assessments and changes during your travel.

See the complete travel warning for Cote d’Ivoire for more details.

According to the Nigerian Ministry of Health, there are over 800 suspected cases as of April 13th and over 80 deaths. Seven deaths have been reported among health care workers.

Lassa fever is a viral illness spread by rats and people are infected through direct content with droppings or urine, or by touching objects or consuming contaminated food. Lassa fever is also spread by person-to-person contact through blood, tissue, or bodily fluids.

The symptoms include fever, chest pain, sore throat, back pain, coughing, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and bleeding from the mouth or nose. People with Lassa fever also experience hearing loss, tremors, swelling of the face and eyelids and swelling of the brain. When Lassa fever is contracted by a pregnant woman, the symptoms may include bleeding and miscarriage.

The Nigerian government is responding to the outbreak by focusing on disease investigation, patient treatment, and in conducting awareness campaigns among populations who are affected.

Travelers can protect themselves from Lassa fever by following some precautions:

• avoid contact with rats and rat droppings
• store food in rat-proof containers
• keep your lodgings clean and free of rodents
• do not eat rats

Read the complete travel notice from the CDC for Lassa fever.