Calculate how much trip cancellation insurance you need by totaling all non-refundable travel costs including flights, hotels, tours, and deposits.
When you buy trip cancellation insurance, the coverage amount should match your total non-refundable costs. Under-insuring means you won't be fully reimbursed if you need to cancel, while over-insuring wastes money on unnecessary premium.
This calculator helps you tally all non-refundable trip expenses: flights, hotel deposits, tour bookings, event tickets, and other pre-paid costs. It then shows the total coverage you need and estimates the approximate insurance premium for that coverage level.
Many travelers underestimate their non-refundable exposure. That "free cancellation" hotel booking may only be free until 48 hours before check-in. Airlines may offer credits instead of refunds. By listing every cost and its refundability, you get an accurate picture of what you actually stand to lose. Whether you are a beginner or experienced professional, this free online tool provides instant, reliable results without manual computation. By automating the calculation, you save time and reduce the risk of costly errors in your planning and decision-making process.
Knowing your exact non-refundable exposure helps you buy the right amount of coverage. Too little coverage leaves you with uncovered losses, while buying coverage for refundable costs wastes premium dollars. Having a precise figure at your fingertips empowers better planning and more confident decisions. Manual calculations are error-prone and time-consuming; this tool delivers verified results in seconds so you can focus on strategy.
Coverage Needed = Non-Refundable Flights + Non-Refundable Hotels + Tours + Tickets + Other Pre-Paid Costs Estimated Premium = Coverage Needed × 4–10% Cancel-for-Any-Reason (CFAR) = Coverage × 1.4 (covers 75% of costs)
Result: Coverage needed: $5,000
Non-refundable flights ($1,800) + hotels ($2,400) + tours ($600) + other ($200) = $5,000 total. You should buy at least $5,000 in trip cancellation coverage. Estimated premium is $200–$500 depending on age and destination.
Start with the big items: flights and accommodation. Then add tours, activities, ground transportation, event tickets, and service fees. Don't forget less obvious costs like travel visas, vaccination requirements, and special clothing or gear purchased specifically for the trip.
Refund policies vary widely. Budget airlines rarely offer cash refunds. Hotels may have strict cancellation windows. Tour operators may refund only a percentage. Review each booking's cancellation terms to determine your true non-refundable exposure.
Standard cancellation covers specific "named perils" like illness or natural disasters. CFAR lets you cancel for any reason but costs about 40% more and typically reimburses only 75% of your loss. CFAR is worth considering for expensive or complex trips.
Any payment that you cannot get back if you cancel. This includes non-refundable airline tickets, hotel deposits past the cancellation deadline, pre-paid tours, event tickets, and travel service fees.
Generally no. Only insure costs you'd actually lose. Including refundable costs inflates your premium without adding protection. However, verify that "refundable" truly means cash-back, not just credit.
CFAR is an upgrade that lets you cancel for any reason (not just covered reasons like illness). It typically covers 75% of costs and adds about 40% to the premium. You must cancel 48+ hours before departure.
Standard policies cover illness, injury, death of a traveler or family member, natural disasters at the destination, airline bankruptcy, jury duty, and similar unforeseen events. Work conflicts and "changed my mind" are NOT covered without CFAR.
Buy within 14 days of your first trip payment to get the best terms, including pre-existing condition waivers. Buying later is still possible but may exclude certain coverages.
Most insurers let you increase coverage as you add trip costs, but you must do so before any covered event occurs. Keep your insurer updated as you make additional non-refundable payments.