What the U.S.-Venezuela Conflict Means for Travel Insurance Coverage
Key Statistics
- On January 3, 2026, the U.S. attacked Venezuela with roughly 150 aircraft, which led to FAA-mandated airspace closures over parts of Venezuela and nearly two dozen nearby countries like Puerto Rico, Aruba, and the British Virgin Islands.
- These FAA restrictions left hundreds of flights cancelled and thousands of travelers stranded in Caribbean destinations.
- On January 16, 2026, the FAA issued another 60-day notice to airmen advising airlines to exercise caution due to possible military activity and GPS/navigation interference when flying over Mexico, Latin and Central American countries, and portions of airspace within the eastern Pacific Ocean.
- These notices could be precursors to greater flight and travel disruptions in these regions in the coming months.
- For travelers, it’s important to note that standard travel insurance policies exclude coverage related to acts of war and military action leading to airspace closures.
- If you plan to travel in these regions, Cancel For Any Reason and Interruption For Any Reason are the best way to ensure you are protected from delays or cancellations caused by scenarios like the U.S.-Venezuela conflict.
Does Travel Insurance Cover the U.S.-Venezuela Conflict?
Travel insurance may not cover disruptions to your travel caused by the U.S.-Venezuela conflict. Travel insurance policies typically exclude coverage for military action or government-related airspace closures. This means that claims tied to impacts caused by the U.S. airstrikes on Venezuela would likely be denied.
Early January 2026, the FAA announced temporary air restrictions over parts of Venezuela and the Caribbean, making the situation a “known” event. Travel insurance is designed to protect you from “unforeseen” events, meaning related cancellations, delays, missed connections, or reroutes are likely excluded.
If you purchased a policy before the authorities announced the event, you should review the fine print of your policy and reach out to your provider to understand if coverage applies to the situation and what exclusions may exist.
If you are considering buying a policy for an upcoming trip, a standard travel insurance policy alone would not cover the current situation, as you would be buying it after the event became known. The only travel insurance benefits that can offer you the most flexibility in a situation like this are upgrades to standard policies: Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) and Interruption For Any Reason (IFAR).
How Might Travel Insurance Cover the U.S.-Venezuela Situation?
There are certain circumstances where travel insurance might cover the U.S.-Venezuela conflict, depending on the policy you purchased. While standard travel insurance policies typically have exclusions related to military action or government-related airspace closures, every provider, plan, and travel situation is different.
Review your policy, or any policy you’re considering purchasing, and pay close attention to the specific policy terms, benefits, and exclusions. In addition, we recommend saving all communications with your travel supplier, such as your airline or hotel, and all of your out-of-pocket expenses receipts. These items will need to be reviewed by a licensed claims examiner to decide if coverage applies.
Below are potential travel insurance protections that may apply related to the U.S.-Venezuela conflict.
Cancel For Any Reason and Interruption For Any Reason Coverage
Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) and Interruption For Any Reason (IFAR) benefits will offer the most flexibility to protect you from this situation. However, they are time-sensitive benefits, requiring you to purchase them within 14-21 days of your initial trip deposit.
With CFAR, you are provided with maximum cancellation flexibility. This benefit allows you to cancel for any reason outside of what your policy’s standard Trip Cancellation coverage includes. With CFAR, you can typically receive reimbursement for up to 50-75% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs. To use this benefit, you must cancel your travel plans 48 hours before your departure.
While CFAR offers protection before your trip starts, you can receive additional protection through IFAR once your trip is underway. This add-on benefit can protect you if you need to shorten your trip for any reason outside of what is included under the standard Trip Interruption benefit.
If you haven’t purchased a travel insurance policy yet and have an upcoming trip that may be impacted by the situation in Venezuela, consider CFAR and IFAR for added protection. Not every plan offers CFAR or IFAR benefits, but you can compare policies and find options that include these benefits on our website.
You may still receive coverage without these add-ons, but it’s far less certain. Again, it’s important to carefully review the policy details of any plan you’re considering, as coverage can vary heavily by provider and plan.
Non-Medical Evacuation Coverage
If you are in a place of danger due to the Venezuela conflict, the Non-Medical Evacuation benefit may be able to help you. Only applicable if local authorities or the U.S. Department of State tell you to leave your destination, this benefit reimburses the cost of an evacuation to the nearest safe location if you are physically at risk and the situation is not safe. This can include situations related to civil unrest, war, or other security threats.
This benefit is triggered once an official government evacuation order has been announced, and the evacuation must be arranged by a government authority or your insurance company.
Non-Medical Evacuation coverage is included in some comprehensive travel insurance plans, but not all. It’s important to review the policy details to see if this benefit is included.
Before traveling, we also recommend checking if any U.S. Department of State travel advisories are in place at your destination so you are aware of potential risks before leaving for your trip.
What is Not Covered by Standard Travel Insurance?
In general, travel insurance policies do not cover known events, such as the situation in Venezuela and the surrounding Caribbean countries. Travel insurance is designed to protect you from unforeseen events, and once this situation was announced, the event was known. This means you would have had to purchase a policy before the event was foreseeable.
Military action and government restrictions are also not covered by most travel insurance plans, unless you have specific benefits such as CFAR and IFAR. Because the situation in Venezuela included a government restriction on the surrounding airspace, standard coverage would likely not apply.
Fear of traveling due to the Venezuela conflict is also not covered, unless you have CFAR coverage, which allows you to cancel for any reason, even if that reason is for fear of traveling.
What to Consider When Buying Travel Insurance for Venezuela or Surrounding Countries
- Consider Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) and Interrupt For Any Reason (IFAR)
CFAR and IFAR can provide the most flexibility and coverage before and after your departure, allowing you to cancel or end your trip for any reason. This can include reasons that are often excluded by standard plans, such as government travel restrictions. Remember, these are time-sensitive benefits, requiring them to be purchased promptly. - Know What Exclusions Apply
It’s important to know what exclusions apply when purchasing a travel insurance policy for any trip. Events such as the situation in Venezuela are often excluded. Even if you have what seems like a very comprehensive, solid policy, there is a chance for claims to be denied depending on exclusions. Always read the fine print and policy exclusions carefully. - Consider a Plan with Non-Medical Evacuation Coverage
Non-Medical Evacuation coverage can be very helpful when traveling to riskier destinations. This benefit can pay for transportation to safety if local authorities or your insurance provider deem your location to be unsafe.
FAQs: Travel Insurance for the U.S.-Venezuela Conflict
Can I Still Buy Travel Insurance for a Trip to Venezuela or the Caribbean?
Yes, you can still buy travel insurance for future trips to Venezuela, the Caribbean, or nearby destinations. However, because the current situation is considered a known event, coverage will likely be excluded for cancellations or delays resulting from the FAA’s airspace restrictions.
Although claims related to this specific situation would not be covered, buying a new policy can protect against other unforeseen events that could impact your trip. This can include delays or cancellations as a result of common carrier issues or severe weather, Emergency Medical coverage if you were to get sick while on your trip, or other unrelated travel disruptions.
How Do I Buy CFAR Coverage?
Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) is an optional add-on available with certain travel insurance plans. Roughly one-third of the policies available on Squaremouth.com offer CFAR as an upgrade.
To buy CFAR coverage:
- You must select it as an add-on when getting travel insurance quotes, as it is not available as a standalone benefit.
- CFAR is a time-sensitive benefit and must be purchased within a specific timeframe, generally 14-21 days from the day you made your initial trip deposit, though the exact timing varies by provider.
- You can learn more about CFAR coverage and compare providers who offer the add-on here.
Due to the added flexibility it provides, CFAR increases your travel insurance premium, typically costing 40-50% more than plans without CFAR benefits.
We recommend CFAR for trips to destinations with uncertainty or elevated risk, such as locations impacted by the current Venezuela conflict. Since coverage is typically not available under standard policies for impacts related to advisories or geopolitical events, CFAR provides an added layer of flexibility and protection should you need to cancel your trip.
What if My Upcoming Trip is Impacted?
If your upcoming trip is impacted by the situation in Venezuela, contact your travel insurance provider as soon as possible to confirm what coverage might be applicable.
If you feel your policy no longer meets your needs, ask if you are still within their money-back guarantee window, also known as a “free look period”. This period, typically 10-14 days from the policy’s purchase, allows you to cancel for a full refund on most travel insurance plans.
Can I Cancel if I Don’t Want to Travel to Venezuela or the Caribbean Anymore?
Cancelling your trip because you changed your mind or have a fear of traveling is never covered under standard travel insurance policies. However, you may be able to change your policy dates for a later trip during the year. We recommend you reach out to your provider to ask if this is an option.
CFAR is the only travel insurance benefit that allows you to cancel your trip for any reason, such as no longer wanting to travel. While you cannot purchase CFAR as a standalone benefit, it is an optional upgrade offered on many plans listed on our website.
Learn about the best CFAR travel insurance here.
Does Travel Insurance Exclude Venezuela because of the Level 4 Travel Advisory?
Depending on the policy, some travel insurance plans might exclude coverage for destinations that are under a Department of State Level 4 ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory. As with any travel insurance plan, coverage can vary depending on the benefits it includes, when you bought your policy, and how the provider addresses exclusions for high-risk or government-advised travel.
You should review your specific policy thoroughly and reach out to your provider for confirmation on what is covered.
You can find more information about Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisories here.
Does Travel Insurance Cover FAA Advisories?
FAA advisories, compared to flight bans, do not automatically trigger coverage unless a specific covered reason applies. FAA advisories or cautionary notices alone would not automatically trigger coverage.