Why is war excluded from travel insurance?

Care and assistance are limited in conflict zones 

Here are the main challenges:

Emergency medical care

Conflicts often lead to significant shortages (medications, electricity, fuel, etc.). Even in an emergency, travellers may be unable to receive adequate care within a reasonable time frame. 

Assistance and medical repatriation

Your travel insurance normally includes assistance and, if needed, medical repatriation. However, in a conflict zone, these services may be compromised: airspace closure, limited access to medical facilities, and on-the-ground insecurity. In some cases, it simply becomes impossible to arrange a transfer or a return home. 

What to do before travelling to a high-risk region?

If your trip is already booked

Contact your insurer to find out how your insurance policy applies to the current situation. Also follow the Travel Advisories issued by the Government of Canada to decide whether you should modify your originally planned itinerary in a high-risk area. 

If you’re considering booking

Follow official government advisories. If necessary, postpone your trip for safety reasons or choose a lower-risk destination. 

What impact do government advisories have on your insurance?

The Government of Canada issues travel advisories to protect travellers’ safety: 

• Level 3 travel advisory: Avoid nonessential travel
• Level 4 travel advisory: Avoid all travel

These advisories directly affect the validity of certain coverages, such as trip cancellation insurance or trip interruption insurance. 

Before you depart, check the official advisories and register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to receive updates. It’s free! 

How your insurance coverage works in high-risk situations

To be covered, you must have purchased your travel insurance coverage before a problem was known and flagged by a Canadian government warning. If, at the time your insurance takes effect, a country is already at Level 3 or 4, the situation is deemed high-risk and will not be covered under your insurance policy. 

Certain coverages may give you greater flexibility, if you qualify: 

• Cancel for any reason (CFAR)
• Interrupt for any reason (IFAR)

These options allow you to cancel or cut short your trip, even as a precaution. 

Good to know: If a supplier (airline, tour operator) is unable to provide the planned services, it is their responsibility to refund or compensate you — not the insurer’s. 

In conclusion, before travelling to a high-risk destination, always check the Government of Canada’s travel advisories and the terms of your coverage. In a conflict context, travel insurance limitations are above all meant to reflect a reality: one where providing you with effective assistance becomes difficult, or even impossible. 

FAQ – War and travel insurance

Frequently asked questions about war and travel insurance. 

Is it too late to get insurance if a conflict has already broken out? 

Generally, yes. You must purchase insurance before a conflict is known. If a government advisory is already at Level 3 or 4, the situation is considered foreseeable and is no longer covered. 

What happens if the government advises against visiting my destination? 

You may be reimbursed for a cancellation or early return if you purchased your insurance before the government advisory was issued. It all depends on your coverage and when you purchased it. Contact your insurance company right away to find out what is covered. 

Do I have to cancel my trip if an advisory is issued for my destination? 

The decision to travel is yours, but following the official advisories from the Government of Canada is strongly recommended. 

Does the Compensation Fund for Customers of Travel Agents (CFCTA) protect me in a war zone? 

The CFCTA does not cover: 

• the decision to cancel out of caution;
• government advisories (Level 3 or 4); and
• general disruptions (delays, itinerary changes).

However, it may compensate you if the conflict causes a supplier failure, where services (hotel, transportation, package) were purchased through a travel agency holding a Quebec permit, such as CAA-Quebec Travel. 

What if I purchased my tickets directly from a carrier or a supplier without a travel agent permit? 

In that case, you will need to deal directly with the carrier to obtain a refund or a new flight. The TACFF does not cover these situations.