In 2026, booking a trip at home or abroad can feel laced with uncertainty. Conflict in the Middle East is causing flight disruptions across the globe, while frequent government shutdowns in the US are leading to unprecedented wait times at the airport. Amid the travel chaos, some insurance policies, like “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) protection, have jumped significantly. In March 2026 alone, purchases of CFAR insurance plans increased 27% due to global events, according to insurance comparison site Squaremouth. It all means that some travelers are considering trip insurance for the first time. “Uncertainty is exactly when travel insurance becomes more important,” says Suzanne Morrow, CEO of travel insurance comparison site InsureMyTrip. “But it’s also critical to understand what is and isn’t covered. For example, if you miss your flight because you’re stuck in a long TSA security line, that’s typically not covered.…