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More American travelers than ever before have invested in Cancel for Any Reason insurance when flying out of the country, according to a news report from InsureMyTrip.

Travelers in Northeast Pennsylvania, however, are going against the grain and deciding against the insurance.

“The vast majority of our agents have indicated that there has not been an increase in the number of Cancel for any Reason insurance policies sold this year,” Nina Waskevich, public relations director for AAA North Penn, said in an email to the Times Leader.

Agents at InsureMyTrip have reported a 20 percent increase in the insurance. The biggest reason, according to the report, is the threat of terrorism.

Travelers should understand that, even if there is a violent, frightening civil disorder occurring in a country to which they are scheduled to travel, it may not be covered under their travel insurance plan’s definition of terrorism. InsureMyTrip’s coverage stipulates the incident must not have been an act of war, whether declared or undeclared.

A possible reason for the non-increase in NEPA, Waskevich notes, is at AAA North Penn, “There’s a substantial increase in the premium for Cancel for any Reason coverage.”

The type of insurance that has increased in sales, Waskevich said, is basic insurance, which requires a a valid medical reason for cancellation.

According to the report, Cancel for Any Reason coverage is most often used by those traveling to an area prone to terrorism, such as the Middle East.

InsureMyTrip’s Cancel for Any Reason benefits typically allow individuals to cancel trips up to two days prior to the scheduled departure date and, in most cases, reimburse up to 75 percent of the pre-paid, non-refundable trip cost.

Waskevich said AAA North Penn’s basic insurance would cover non-refundable fees imposed by the tour operator or cruise line. Non-refundable fees for AAA include a revision fee assessed for any change or revision made to a reservation or state and national taxes.

By Melanie Mizenko

[email protected]

Reach Melanie Mizenko at 570-991-6116 or on Twitter @TL_MMizenko