TORONTO — From grounded flights in Cuba to airport closures in Puerto Vallarta and widespread Middle East airspace shutdowns following missile strikes involving the United States, Israel and Iran, recent global events have once again underscored the fragility of travel plans.

In response, travel advisors across Canada have been working around the clock to reschedule disrupted itineraries, help bring stranded clients home and keep travellers informed as airlines, tour operators and government advisories issue rapidly changing updates. In many cases, those conversations have also turned to travel insurance – what is covered, what is excluded and how quickly protection must be purchased to be effective.

Against this backdrop, Blue Cross is encouraging travel advisors to treat insurance not as an afterthought but as a core component of every booking conversation.

“Advisors should present travel insurance as an essential part of the booking process by highlighting the security and protection it provides. This added reassurance helps travellers’ book in confidence, knowing that whether they need to cancel because of an unexpected event or seek medical care at the destination, they can rely on their insurer to protect their travel expenses and guide them through any situation,” a Blue Cross spokesperson tells Travelweek.

Recent events – including grounded flights in Cuba due to fuel shortages and violence in Mexico’s Jalisco state that temporarily closed airports and stranded passengers – demonstrate how quickly circumstances can change.

“As recently observed, geopolitical tensions and unexpected disruptions can impact travel plans at any moment, even when you are least expecting it. With features like Cancel for Any Reason, advisors can reassure travellers by explaining that they can cancel for reasons not covered under standard Trip Cancellation and Interruption. This helps remove the stress of choosing between losing their trip investment or going on a vacation they no longer feel comfortable or able to enjoy,” they add.

At the same time, transparency is critical.

“While it is important to purchase travel insurance, it is also important for advisors to be transparent with their clients regarding coverage and exclusions for given situations, for example, in the case of acts of war and/or civil unrest,” said the spokesperson.

UNDERSTANDING COVERAGE & INCLUSIONS

One area of confusion often centres on Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage. While CFAR provides broader flexibility than standard trip cancellation policies, it is not without limits.

“Although CFAR coverage allows you to cancel your trip for virtually any reason, it still includes certain exclusions. For example, acts of war and civil unrest are typically excluded. This means that in a situation like the recent events in Jalisco, Mexico, CFAR would not apply if the civil unrest is ongoing,” says Blue Cross.

Similarly, when flights are cancelled due to operational issues such as fuel shortages, certain protections may respond.

“In the event of operational issues such as fuel shortages, trip cancellations and trip interruptions coverage as well CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason) would typically apply. However, most travel insurance policies include exclusions for war and civil unrest, which may result in coverage not responding to these situations,” they add.

Government advisories can also shift coverage eligibility mid-trip.

“If the Canadian government issues a new Level 3 or Level 4 travel advisory (‘avoid all non-essential travel’ or ‘avoid all travel’) during a trip, travellers may be eligible to claim under Trip Interruption coverage to return home earlier than planned,” says Blue Cross.

“Trip interruption benefits do not apply if the advisory was already in effect before departure, or if the event falls under other policy exclusions, such as those related to acts of war, civil unrest, or pandemics, which are not covered by circumstances.”

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

The timing of purchasing a policy can significantly impact what is covered – particularly in fast-moving geopolitical situations such as the recent airspace closures across parts of the Middle East.

Says Blue Cross: “It is very important – especially for Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption coverage – which protects travellers against unforeseen and unknown events based on a list of insured risks. We strongly recommend that travellers purchase this coverage as soon as they book their trip so their non-refundable, prepaid expenses are protected before any new known risk arises. The longer travellers wait to purchase this coverage, the higher the chance that a new event becomes known – and therefore not covered.”

Medical coverage carries similar timing sensitivities.

“In addition, when it comes to emergency medical insurance, delays can create significant risks. The longer a traveller waits before purchasing coverage, the more likely a new medical symptom or condition may appear. Any new condition that arises before the policy is purchased can be considered a pre-existing condition, which may limit coverage – or make the traveller ineligible altogether. For this reason, purchasing medical coverage as early as possible helps ensure broader protection and reduces the risk of exclusions. If they have any questions, we encourage travellers to contact their insurer,” says the spokesperson.

SUPPORT ON THE GROUND

For travellers already abroad when disruptions strike – whether due to airline shutdowns, fuel shortages or geopolitical conflict – assistance services become critical.

“The safety and well-being of our customers are always top of mind, and our travel assistance team remains vigilant and responsive to global events that may disrupt travel,” says Blue Cross.

“For clients already in-destination who experience unexpected disruptions – whether due to war, civil unrest, airline issues or natural catastrophes – our travel assistance team provides immediate, end to end support through its 24/7 assistance services, ensuring access to expert guidance and coordination at any time, regardless of location or time zones. Insured members are encouraged to contact our travel assistance team as soon as a disruption occurs, allowing our teams to intervene early, coordinate care or travel solutions, and streamline both assistance and claims from the outset.”

In medical emergencies, Blue Cross’ priority is to secure prompt access to appropriate care, with cases managed under well-established emergency and escalation protocols, supported by contract verification to confirm coverage or identify applicable exclusions, and coordinated closely with the insurer when required.

For non-medical trip interruptions, it is recommended that clients first contact their airline company to explore potential solutions. “When options are limited, our travel assistance team can step in to arrange alternatives, ensure proper documentation, and support any subsequent claim,” says Blue Cross.

“Throughout the process, our advisors play a critical role by guiding clients through next steps, capturing essential information early, and ensuring clear communication –contributing to faster resolution and a more seamless experience during stressful situations abroad.”

WHEN COVERAGE DOES NOT APPLY

For travellers with imminent departures to destinations affected by escalating conflict, options may be limited if exclusions apply.

“There is always a risk in travelling when political instabilities threaten the expected course of a trip, whether it be health related or having to do with trip logistics like transports and lodging,” says the spokesperson. “Travel insurance is meant to diminish that risk and assist travellers when possible.”

They note that the policy states which risks are covered by Blue Cross, in exchange for a specified premium. 

“Unfortunately, if a risk is not listed as covered in the policy, or is specifically excluded, it falls outside the scope of protection that is offered. In those situations, the traveller would be responsible for arranging proper adjustments on their end,” they add.

When travelling, Blue Cross highly recommends contacting the consulate of Canada, present in the country where a person may be travelling, to obtain recommendations on the best course of action to take. 

“If the trip must be cancelled and travel expenses were already spent, we highly suggest for them to contact their airline company or accommodation provider with which they have made these payments to explore which solutions can be offered,” says the spokesperson.

ESSENTIAL PROTECTION

In simple terms, Blue Cross maintains that there is no single product that covers every conceivable scenario. Instead, protection should align with each traveller’s priorities.

“All coverages remain valuable, depending on each traveller’s main priorities and concerns. Of course, it is generally agreed upon that Emergency Medical Care coverage is essential protection to have as it ensures peace of mind regarding health-related issues. For more comprehensive coverage, travellers should seek to add Trip Cancellation and Interruption or Baggage coverage to insure their travel expenses or baggage that may be lost or damaged. While some exclusions and limitations may apply, these coverage options provide further protection should an unexpected event impact their travel plans,” they say.

As global disruptions continue to reshape itineraries with little warning, the message to advisors is clear: proactive conversations about coverage, timing and exclusions are more important than ever.