Going Places: Global Insecurity Heightens Need for Emergency Plan, Travel Insurance

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

Americans Stranded by Sudden Onset of Iran War

Hundreds of thousands of Americans found themselves stranded without immediate, clear evacuation plans after airspace closed and flights were cancelled in major hubs including Dubai, Doha, Amman and Tel Aviv. Some 500,000 to 1 million U.S. nationals were living in or visiting the Middle East when the US and Israel launched its attack on Iran on February 28 without warning and without preparation or planning for getting civilians out of harm's way.

Travelers in a dozen countries were impacted: Israel, Bahrain, Cyprus, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates.

With many Mideast countries lacking a US ambassador, and many embassies closed, they had little support. As of March 7, just 27,000 Americans were able to return home. The U.S. State Department, which days later set up a telephone number for people to register for assistance, reported having "directly assisted" nearly 13,000 Americans with security guidance or charter evacuation flights.

Ongoing Situation: Thousands remain in the region under a "Depart Now" advisory, with many relying on private groups or commercial flights as they become available. Israel was providing bus transportation to Egypt and Jordan for Americans to connect to flights.

The U.S. Embassy in Iran continues to advise remaining citizens to shelter in place or depart by land if it is safe to do so (https://ir.usembassy.gov/security-alert-iran-march-7-2026/).

The State Department was advising U.S. citizens in Iran in need of help to call the State Department at +1-202-501-4444 to receive departure information and assistance, or contact the U.S. Embassy in Bern, Switzerland by email at [email protected] or phone +41-31-357-7011. Since the U.S. government does not have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Swiss government, acting through its embassy in Tehran, is serving as the protecting power for U.S. interests in Iran.

Also, the State Department advised that the Armenian land border at Agarak/Norduz was open. U.S. citizens entering Armenia from Iran need a valid U.S. passport and may stay for up to 180 days visa-free. U.S. dual-nationals who plan to enter Armenia on an American, Iranian or Armenian passport do not require advance approval. Taxis are available from Agarak to surrounding cities and to Yerevan.

The Turkish land border crossings with Iran are open (Gürbulak/Bazargan, Kapıköy/Razi, and Esendere/Serow) for entry by Turkish and third country nationals.

Rising Global Travel Risks Drive Increase in Travelers' Security Membership Purchases

Growing concerns about safety, instability and unpredictability in international travel are driving a significant increase in Global Rescue security memberships. From January 1 through March 5, security + travel membership purchases increased 29% compared to the same period in 2025.

The surge reflects a broader shift in traveler behavior as individuals seek professional security support and crisis response capabilities before traveling internationally. The purchasing trend aligns with findings from the Global Rescue Winter 2026 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey, which showed that most travelers expect international travel in 2026 to be more dangerous or increasingly unpredictable compared to pre-2020 conditions.

According to the survey, 38% of travelers say international travel danger in 2026 will be unpredictable and 36% believe it will be more dangerous. Only 1% believe international travel will be less dangerous.

"Travelers are clearly signaling that uncertainty and instability are influencing how they plan international trips," said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies and a member of the US Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the US Department of Commerce. "More people want professional support behind them before they travel — access to intelligence, crisis response teams and the ability to get help quickly if conditions deteriorate.

"These perceptions are shaping behavior. Travelers are not necessarily staying home, but they are becoming more deliberate about preparation and risk management. Security memberships provide a safety net that gives travelers direct access to experienced security professionals when situations become volatile," Richards said

Global Rescue's Security Membership includes 24/7 access to teams of military special operations veterans and intelligence experts; real-time alerts and destination-specific security advisories' and mergency response and extraction services during conflict, civil unrest and security crises.

"Travelers are seeing increasing headlines about conflict, political instability and security threats in multiple regions," Richards said. "In that environment, having a professional crisis response capability is becoming an essential part of international travel planning." For more information, visit www.globalrescue.com.

Tips About Travel Insurance

With nearly 14,000 flights canceled from large airports in 10 countries across the Middle East and hundreds of thousands of travelers stranded in the immediate aftermath of the US-Israel attacks on Iran on February 28, most coverage has focused on stranded passengers and airport shutdowns.

But travelers are learning the hard way that acts of war exclusions and timing of purchase are determining who gets reimbursed and who doesn't with their travel insurance.

According to InsureMyTrip, an insurance comparison platform that helps travelers find the most appropriate travel insurance for their needs:

"This moment is less about insurance failing, and more about travelers learning how coverage actually works during global disruptions," the company said.

InsureMyTrip CEO Suzanne Morrow offered this guidance:

Travelers going to, from, or through Middle East hubs right now should stay flexible and informed. Check your flight status directly with the airline before heading to the airport, look for waivers or rebooking options, and enroll in the State Department's STEP program for real-time updates. Conditions are changing quickly, so having a backup plan is important.

Timing of purchase matters because once an event is considered "foreseeable," new travel insurance policies typically won't cover losses tied directly to it. That's why we always encourage travelers to buy coverage early, ideally right after making the first trip deposit, so they have the broadest protection and options like Cancel for Any Reason.

There's also a difference between cancellation coverage and travel delay support. Cancellation coverage may reimburse prepaid, nonrefundable costs if you can't take the trip for a covered reason. Travel delay benefits help if you're stuck mid-trip, covering things like meals, hotels, or transportation while you wait. Both are helpful, but they apply in different situations.

To protect reimbursement options, travelers should review their policy now, keep receipts for any extra expenses, and document delays or cancellations. It's also smart to check airline and hotel policies first, since many are offering flexibility that can solve the issue without filing a claim.

If you are already traveling and a crisis happens, whether political unrest, war, terrorism, climate events, or a pandemic, safety comes first. Follow guidance from local authorities and your embassy and register for alerts if you haven't already. Travel insurance doesn't arrange government evacuations, but many plans include 24/7 emergency assistance services that can help you understand your options, coordinate care, and navigate next steps. Depending on the situation and the policy, some travelers may have trip interruption benefits if they need to cut a trip short, but coverage always depends on the specific policy and circumstances.

"The bottom line: know your destination, know your coverage, and give yourself flexibility whenever possible," Morrow advises. InsureMyTrip expects a surge in travel insurance claims as frustrated fliers try to recoup losses. While the company doesn't handle claims directly, its experts are offering guidance to help travelers avoid common mistakes that could slow down, or sink, their reimbursement. Here's what travelers need to know:

Bonus tip: InsureMyTrip customers get free access to a claim advocate, a service that reviews denied claims, contacts the provider, and assists with appeals.

Cancel For Any Reason Insurance

Just three months into 2026, several global events have already upended travel plans and left many uncertain about their upcoming trips. From the ongoing government shutdown to the unrest in the Middle East, travelers are increasingly prioritizing flexibility when planning.

According to Squaremouth, a leading travel insurance comparison platform, interest in Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage has surged roughly 27% since the start of March amid recent global events.

Despite its name, the add-on offers more flexibility than travelers may realize, extending well beyond impulsive cancellations. This benefit functions as an extension of standard cancellation coverage, allowing travelers to cancel for reasons standard policies typically exclude and still receive partial reimbursement for prepaid, non-refundable trip costs.

While exact exclusions vary by policy and provider, common scenarios where standard coverage may fall short, and CFAR can step in, include:

"Travel insurance policies with the CFAR upgrade provide the most flexibility to cancel your trip," shares Chrissy Valdez, Senior Director of Operations at Squaremouth. "This upgrade typically increases a policy's cost by about 40% to 50%, but we've already seen how valuable that added flexibility can be for travelers affected by major events in 2026."

Important Eligibility Requirements

"Travelers need to know that CFAR is not a standalone policy and is only available as an upgrade to a comprehensive plan," Valdez continues. "In most cases, it must be purchased within 14 to 21 days of your initial trip deposit, depending on the provider."

"That said, while this may be the only benefit that provides flexibility where standard coverage falls short, it does have limitations. CFAR typically reimburses between 50% and 75% of prepaid, non-refundable trip costs, requires travelers to insure 100% of their trip expenses, and generally requires cancellation at least two to three days before departure," she adds.

As global events continue to impact travel in 2026, Squaremouth encourages travelers to consider adding CFAR to their coverage for greater flexibility and financial protection. Learn more about the Best Cancel For Any Reason Insurance for 2026 here.

Claims for Medical Issues

Travel insurance is an important investment for big-ticket trips like cruises, tours, safari, renting a home and for international travel. One of the most important reasons to purchase travel insurance is for the medical coverage – especially evacuation in the case of a medical emergency – since your health insurance policy including Medicare do not cover medical services when you travel abroad. Squaremouth, a leading travel insurance comparison platform, wants travelers to understand how travel insurance can protect travelers if they fall ill and their trip is disrupted:

If You're Too Sick to Travel: If you, your travel companion, or a non-traveling family member gets sick before your trip, you could cancel your trip and be covered by a comprehensive travel insurance plan under the Trip Cancellation benefit. This benefit can reimburse you for 100% of your prepaid and non-refundable trip costs, including flights, hotels, tours, excursions, and more.

If You're Too Sick to Finish Your Trip: If you get sick while on your trip and need to go home early, the Trip Interruption benefit can reimburse you for unused trip expenses, plus the additional transportation costs you incur to get home. Typically, this benefit covers at least 100% of your unused, prepaid, non-refundable trip costs. However, some plans even cover between 125 – 200%.

If You Need Medical Treatment While Traveling: It's important to understand that most domestic healthcare insurance plans will not cover you abroad. However, emergency medical insurance can cover the costs of medical treatment during your trip if you get sick or are injured, including hospital stays, doctor visits, and prescription medications. More serious cases could require emergency evacuation to a suitable medical facility, especially if you're traveling in a remote destination or on a cruise. Medical Evacuation coverage, which is included with most travel insurance plans, can pay for transportation to a hospital in the event of a medical emergency or even back to the U.S.

If You Change Your Mind About Traveling: While concerns about traveling for fear of getting sick or simply no longer wanting to travel during flu season are not covered reasons under standard travel insurance policies, travelers can purchase optional add-on benefits like Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) and Interruption For Any Reason (IFAR). These benefits provide the most flexibility, allowing travelers to cancel or shorten their trip for any reason and receive partial reimbursement, typically 50-75% of insured trip costs. It's important to note that these benefits are time-sensitive and must be purchased within 14-21 days of your initial trip deposit date.

Because travel insurance provides coverage for unforeseen events, it's crucial to buy a policy early to maximize your coverage.

For coverage to apply to getting sick, such as with the flu, you must be healthy and able to travel at the time of purchasing your policy. For a more in-depth overview, Squaremouth's 'Does Travel Insurance Cover the Flu?' article provides a deep dive into how travel insurance may apply to the flu, including coverage explanations and answers to frequently asked questions.

SOVENTURE Warns Travelers of Hidden Coverage Gaps in Popular Vacation Activities

Turning now to more mundane vacation travel planning, SOVENTURE is highlighting frequently overlooked gaps in travel insurance coverage that can affect families, cruisers, honeymooners, and other leisure travelers.

Popular vacation activities such as snorkeling, ziplining, hiking, parasailing, skiing, snowboarding, water skiing, and ATV or UTV excursions are often classified as "risky" by insurers, which can lead to coverage exclusions under many traditional travel insurance policies.

Some of the most common coverage gaps involve experiences that feel routine, family-friendly, or low-risk:

Cruise and Tour Excursions – Activities sold directly by cruise lines or resorts are often assumed to be automatically covered, but that is not always the case. Even widely booked excursions can fall outside standard policy coverage, depending on how an insurer classifies the activity.

Motorized Vehicles – Another common blind spot involves motorized vehicle rentals and guided excursions. Many travelers don't consider a scooter ride, guided ATV tour, or Jet Ski rental risky, but insurers often do, especially when traveling outside the United States.

SOVENTURE policies explicitly include a wide range of popular vacation activities; covers excursions sold by cruise lines or resorts; offers strong medical and emergency evacuation coverage; and clearly defines what is and isn't covered. More information at https://www.soventure.com/explore-plans/

Finding Best Travel Insurance to Meet Your Needs

InsureMyTrip.com is one of three platforms which travel guru Pauline Frommer recommends where you can put in the details of your trip and personal details (age is key), and get a bullet-list comparison of insurance policies. The others are SquareMouth.com and TravelInsurance.com (which I used to obtain a quote, comparison and link directly to the insurance company to complete the purchase)

"No one company is best for every trip," she advised at the New York Travel & Adventure Show. "Usually the one in the middle that covers the most things is the best."

Also, she warns, "Never buy insurance through the company you are traveling with."

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