Why Trust MoneySmart?Travel plans don’t always go the way we imagine. Whether it’s a sudden work obligation, personal reasons, or just a change of heart, many Singaporeans have experienced the stress of losing money on non-refundable flights and hotels. That’s where Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) travel insurance comes in.
Unlike standard trip cancellation coverage—where claims are only paid out for “acceptable” reasons such as illness, family emergencies, or natural disasters—CFAR lets you claim reimbursement even if you cancel because you feel unsafe, have a change in priorities, or simply don’t feel like travelling anymore.
Key Takeaways
CFAR (Cancel-For-Any-Reason) offers the freedom to cancel travel plans outside of standard reasons, usually reimbursing 50–75% of trip costs.
It’s offered as an optional rider, so you’ll need to add it on top of standard travel insurance.
In Singapore, insurers like MSIG, Income, FWD and Singlife currently provide CFAR options.
CFAR needs to be purchased soon after booking your trip and doesn’t cover everything—always check the fine print.
What Does CFAR Cover?
While it won’t usually cover 100% of your expenses, having 50 to 75% of your trip cost reimbursed can save you from hefty losses.
Before choosing CFAR, it’s useful to see how it stacks up against standard cancellation coverage. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Scenario Type | Standard Trip Cancellation Coverage | CFAR Coverage (as rider) |
|---|---|---|
Illness or emergency | Covered—if sudden illness or accident | Same coverage applies |
Natural disaster | Covered—if official disruption occurs | Same coverage applies |
Work commitments | Usually not covered | Covered if you add CFAR |
Bad weather | Covered only if airline cancels | Covered if you decide to cancel due to weather worries |
Change of Mind | Not covered | Covered—reason doesn’t matter (subject to reimbursement %) |
👉 Important: CFAR typically reimburses only 50–75% of prepaid trip costs, and reimbursement depends on cancelling before departure.
Best CFAR Travel Insurance Providers in Singapore (2026)
Not every insurer offers CFAR in Singapore, but a few key names do. Here’s a closer look at the main providers, so you can compare side-by-side.
Provider | Max CFAR Reimbursement | Purchase Window | Claim Method & Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
Up to S$5,000 per person | Must add CFAR within 14 days of booking | Submit via Singlife Online Claim Portal | |
Up to insured trip benefit (~S$7,500) | Cancellation must be before trip starts (apply within 7 days of deposit) | Digital claims through FWD app; often faster | |
Reimburses 50% of unused travel fares, accommodation, and other non-refundable expenses | Income allows you to purchase CFAR more than 30 days after booking your trip | Claims submitted through Income Insurance Online Claims Portal | |
Capped at S$3,000 per insured person or S$6,000 per family | Within 30 days of booking | Submitted online via the Great Eastern Travel Claims Portal | |
HSBC TravelSure (via MSIG) | Up to S$3,000 (Plus plan) and up to S$6,000 (Advanced plan) | Similar 14-day purchase window | Claims processed through MSIG |
What about costs?
Adding a CFAR rider does come at a price.
While insurers in Singapore don’t publish exact figures, international benchmarks suggest that CFAR typically increases your travel insurance premium by 40–75% compared to a standard policy. This means you could be paying noticeably more for the flexibility to cancel for any reason.
👉 Important note: These cost estimates are based on global data and should be taken as a guide only. The actual price you’ll pay in Singapore depends on your trip value, destination, and the insurer’s latest terms. Always confirm with the insurer before purchasing.
Important conditions before choosing CFAR insurance
Before signing up, remember that CFAR isn’t a free pass. There are some important rules that can make or break your claim:
You often need to purchase CFAR within 7–14 days of booking your trip.
Reimbursement is partial only (50–75%), not a full refund.
Cancellation must be made before the trip begins. You can’t cut short your holiday midway and claim CFAR.
Coverage applies only to prepaid, non-refundable costs such as flights and hotels; extras like loyalty redemptions may not count.
What are the limitations of CFAR policies?
CFAR sounds like a dream, but the fine print matters. Here’s what you should keep in mind:
Not all travel expenses are covered. Some hotel deposits or airline fees may still be non-refundable.
The claims process can be more complicated compared to standard cancellation, with stricter paperwork and timelines.
The additional cost of CFAR riders can make sense for expensive trips, but may not be worth it for budget getaways.
In summary
CFAR travel insurance is best seen as an optional upgrade: not essential for everyone, but extremely useful for travellers who value flexibility or are booking expensive itineraries.
It’s worth weighing the higher premium against the peace of mind that comes from knowing you won’t lose all your money if plans change.
💡 MoneySmart Tip |
Use trusted online comparison tools like MoneySmart's travel insurance comparison to explore coverage limits, premiums, and policy features across leading insurers in Singapore—helping you find the right insurance plan for your trip, quickly. |
