For some peace of mind in knowing that your program payment is covered. Even at the great value that Road Scholar provides, purchasing an educational adventure can represent a significant expenditure. The Road Scholar Trip Protection Plan helps protect your program payment in the event you must cancel or interrupt your program for covered reasons, such as illness, injury or death to you, your traveling companion or a family member of either of you. If you cancel for a covered reason, you will receive a full refund of any money you paid toward your program. Plus, if you need to cancel your program for any reason not covered under the insurance portion of the plan, you will receive a credit good for future travel with Road Scholar for the full amount of the Road Scholar cancellation fee. Plus, your airfare is covered whether you purchase it through Road Scholar or independently — at no additional cost. Continue reading to learn more about the optional Road Scholar Trip Protection Plan.

• Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion Waiver: If you want the plan’s Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion to be waived you must purchase the plan within 14 days of enrollment.
• Cancel for Any Reason Credit Feature: If you want cancel for any reason protection for Road Scholar cancellation fees, to be eligible for the plan’s Cancel for Any Reason Credit* Feature you must purchase the plan up to and including Final Payment Date, or within 5 days of enrollment, whichever is later. If first enrolling in the program after the Final Payment Date you will have up to 5 days from date of enrollment in which to buy the plan and obtain the Cancel for Any Reason Credit* Feature.
• Trip Protection Plan: The Road Scholar Trip Protection Plan can be purchased no later than 15 days prior to the published program start date.
• Plan Cost Refund: If after purchasing the plan you are not satisfied for any reason, you may cancel the plan within 10 days of plan purchase by contacting Road Scholar.

With these important dates in mind, we encourage you to purchase the plan when you enroll in your program.

*The Cancel for Any Reason Credit Feature is a non-insurance Feature provided by Road Scholar. Minnesota, Missouri and New York residents who wish to purchase Cancel for Any Reason coverage only should call us at (800) 454-5768 for details.

No. The plan cost of this optional trip protection plan is based on the program-only price of the Road Scholar program. All airfare, regardless of the cost, whether purchased through Road Scholar or independently, is covered at no additional cost.

For example, if you enroll in a $1,200 Domestic program, the cost of the protection plan is $100. If you also purchase a $300 airline ticket on your own, the full cost of the Road Scholar program AND the airfare you purchased would be protected should you chose to purchase a plan. In other words, that $100 protection plan covers both your $1,200 Road Scholar program AND your $300 airline ticket.

Yes. Your airfare, whether purchased through Road Scholar or independently, is covered at no additional cost should you cancel for reasons covered under the travel insurance portion of the plan

For example: If sickness or injury forces you to cancel your program arrangements, the plan provides cash reimbursement for your airline penalties, whether air travel is arranged by Road Scholar or booked by yourself.

Yes. The plan covers all airfare booked to join or depart from your Road Scholar program, regardless of fare type. Your business class airfare, whether purchased through Road Scholar or independently, is covered at no additional cost should you cancel for reason covered by insurance, such as illness or injury. Keep in mind that the cost of the Trip Protection Plan is based on your program price, so whether you purchase economy, business, first-class or premium tickets, your airfare is protected at no additional cost.

Yes. Should you need to cancel for a reason covered under the travel insurance portion of the plan, such as a serious and unexpected injury or illness, your Road Scholar cancellation fee is reimbursable.

For example: If a sudden and unexpected medical problem which requires examination and treatment by a physician arises and forces you to cancel your enrollment, if you have purchased Road Scholar’s Trip Protection Plan you will receive a full refund of your program payment as well as any non-refundable airline tickets.

Covered reasons are a specific list of certain unforeseen events that, when they occur, may mean you are eligible to make a claim for reimbursement if you have to cancel, delay or interrupt your program. Here are some examples:

• Your, or your family member's, traveling companion's, or traveling companion’s family member’s unexpected illness or injury, which requires examination and treatment by a physician.
• Your, or your family member's, traveling companion's, or traveling companion’s family member’s death.
• You being quarantined by government or a public health authority.
• Your primary place of residence is rendered uninhabitable because of a natural disaster
• A terrorist incident that occurs within 30 days of your scheduled departure date in a city listed on the itinerary of your program.
• A legal obligation, such as being called for jury duty.
• Being involved in a documented traffic accident while en route to your program.
• The cancellation of your enrollment if a significant travel delay results in you missing 50% or more of the scheduled program due to the reasons covered under the plan’s Trip Delay Benefit.

This is a brief and simplified summary of some of the covered reasons listed in the plan’s description of coverage, so you are encouraged to carefully read the policy’s certificate wordings to understand what is defined as a covered reason. To view and download your state-specific certificate of insurance, which includes the plan benefits, terms, conditions, and exclusions, please click here.

Yes. If your travel companion must cancel his or her enrollment for a reason covered under the travel insurance portion of the plan, you may also cancel your enrollment and receive a full refund of your program payment and any non-refundable airline tickets.

Yes. The Road Scholar Trip Protection Plan provides reimbursement for Road Scholar cancellation fees and any non-refundable airline tickets should you or your traveling companion’s family member have a covered sickness or injury, even if they aren’t scheduled to travel with you.

For example: If you have to cancel your program due to your traveling companion’s brother’s recent hospitalization, or if your spouse has an accident and sustains a serious injury, or any other reason covered by insurance, you will be reimbursed for Road Scholar cancellation fees and non-refundable airline tickets.

As the world’s largest not-for-profit educational and travel organization for older adults, we know all too well how travel plans can change at the very last moment. We also realize that all trip insurance plans have limitation and exclusions.

That’s why the Road Scholar Trip Protection Plan also includes "Cancel for Any Reason" coverage, which allows you to cancel your program no later than the day the program begins for any reason not otherwise covered by insurance and receive a credit good for future travel with Road Scholar for the full amount of the Road Scholar cancellation fee.

For example: A few months after enrolling in a program you learn that your granddaughter’s high school graduation ceremony has been scheduled while you’ll be on your program. You certainly don’t want to miss such an important day in you granddaughter’s life, but canceling a program due to a scheduling conflict is not covered by insurance. However, because the Road Scholar’s Trip Protection Plan includes Cancel for Any Reason coverage, you can cancel your enrollment and receive a credit for the amount of the Road Scholar program cancellation fee.

Whether you cancel because of a scheduling conflict, a sick pet, uncertainty given recent world events, or any reason not otherwise covered by insurance, you will receive a credit in the amount of the Road Scholar transfer or cancellation fee you were assessed that you can use to pay for a future program with Road Scholar (valid for travel within 15 months of the date of issue, but no later than 18 months from the date the program was cancelled).

In addition the plan's insurance benefits, the Road Scholar Trip Protection Plan also includes "Cancel for Any Reason" coverage, which allows you to cancel your program no later than the day the program begins for any reason not otherwise covered by insurance and receive a credit good for future travel with Road Scholar for the full amount of the Road Scholar cancellation fee.

For example: A few months after enrolling in a program you learn that your granddaughter’s high school graduation ceremony has been scheduled while you’ll be on your program. You certainly don’t want to miss such an important day in you granddaughter’s life, but canceling a program due to a scheduling conflict is not covered by insurance. However, because the Road Scholar’s Trip Protection Plan includes "Cancel for Any Reason" coverage, you can cancel your enrollment and receive a credit for the amount of the Road Scholar program cancellation fee.

Whether you cancel because of a scheduling conflict, a sick pet, uncertainty given recent world events, or any reason not otherwise covered by insurance, you will receive a credit in the amount of the Road Scholar transfer or cancellation fee you were assessed that you can use to pay for a future program with Road Scholar (valid for travel within 15 months of the date of issue, but no later than 18 months from the date the program was cancelled).

The terms of the Road Scholar Cancellation Fee Credit Feature benefit are as follows:

In the event that you choose to cancel your trip for a non-insured reason at any time up to and including the day your Road Scholar program begins, and you have purchased the Road Scholar Trip Protection Plan and are eligible for the Cancellation Fee Credit* benefit credit, you will receive a Road Scholar credit* equal to 100% of the pre-paid non-refundable program cancellation fees imposed by Road Scholar for your use toward a future Road Scholar program.

1. The Road Scholar Cancellation Fee Credit Feature provides a credit good for future travel with Road Scholar equal to 100% of the pre-paid, non-refundable program cancellation fees imposed by Road Scholar if the reason for canceling your enrollment is not covered by insurance.
2. The Road Scholar Cancel for Any Reason Credit Feature applies only to transfer and cancellation fees assessed by Road Scholar; it does not apply to independently-purchased airfare or any other costs incurred by participants arising from the cancellation of their enrollment.
3. To be eligible for the Cancel for Any Reason Credit Feature, participants must purchase the plan up to and including Final Payment Date, or within 5 days of enrollment, whichever is later. After this deadline has passed, while participants may still purchase the Road Scholar Trip Protection Plan, they will not be eligible for the Cancel for Any Reason Credit Feature; participants will only be eligible for the plan’s insured benefits (e.g., cancellation due to covered reasons such as injury, sickness, death of the insured and family members and traveling companions).
4. If canceling for a reason not covered by insurance, to qualify for the Cancel for Any Reason Credit Feature, participants must call Road Scholar Participant Services to cancel their enrollment no later than the day their program begins. To cancel, call toll free at (877) 426-8056.
5. The entire value of a credit must be used for program(s) that start within 15 months of the date of the issue of the credit, but no later than 18 months after the date the program was cancelled. No refunds will be given for any credits that remain unused after this time.
6. Cancellation Fee Credits can be applied toward:
   • Road Scholar program deposits
   • Road Scholar program price
   • International airfare arranged by Road Scholar for our international programs, with the exception of special or restricted fares
   • Road Scholar cancellation/transfer fees
7. Credits are non-transferable and non-refundable, and cannot be extended, renewed or redeemed for cash.
8. Certain restrictions on the use of credits may apply.

*The Cancel for Any Reason Credit Feature is a non-insurance Feature provided by Road Scholar. Minnesota, Missouri and New York residents who wish to purchase Cancel for Any Reason coverage only should call us at (800) 454-5768 for details.

Please click here to visit our Cancellation Fee Credit webpage for additional information about how participants can use Cancellation Fee Credits.

No. Cancel for Any Reason coverage does not cover independently-purchased airfare. The Road Scholar Cancellation Fee Credit* benefit applies only to program transfer and cancellation fees assessed by Road Scholar; it does not apply to independently-purchased airfare or any other costs incurred by participants arising from the cancellation of an enrollment.

For example, if you must cancel your enrollment because of a scheduling conflict, while you will receive a credit* for the amount of the Road Scholar program cancellation fee, you will not receive a credit* for the amount of any airfare you may have purchased independently for the program.

If your travel companion cancels their enrollment for a reason not covered under the travel insurance portion of the plan (for example, scheduling conflict, a sick pet, uncertainty given recent world events, etc.), you may also cancel your enrollment and receive a Road Scholar Cancel for Any Reason Credit* for the amount of the Road Scholar program cancellation fee.

Yes. Although the plan is otherwise non-refundable after 10 days from purchase, on the rare occasion when Road Scholar must cancel a program your trip protection plan will be canceled and automatically refunded in full. Because all trip protection plans are immediately canceled as soon as Road Scholar cancels the program, participants may not file a claim for any expenses due to Road Scholar’s cancellation of the program.

No. We must assess cancellation fees to defray registration and administration costs made on your behalf, as well as any non-refundable program expenses we may be obligated to pay on your behalf. We cannot afford to absorb these costs and continue to offer high-quality educational experiences at affordable prices. We are a not-for-profit educational organization and do not seek to benefit from the misfortune of our participants. Because we cannot waive cancellation fees or otherwise compensate participants who must cancel their enrollment, we highly recommend you purchase trip protection. We work very hard to keep our cancellation fees as low as possible. In fact, our fees are generally significantly lower than those imposed by tour operators. Of course, we understand it is sometimes necessary to cancel due to circumstances that are beyond your control and this is precisely why we offer a way to help protect your program investment.

In addition to providing cancellation and interruption benefits, this plan also helps reimburse you for some of the expenses you may incur in the event of certain unexpected travel delays.

For example: If you are faced with inclement weather and delayed while traveling to your Road Scholar program, you may not be reimbursed or accommodated by the airlines for the additional expenses to catch up to the program, nor would you be reimbursed for any program days missed. Purchasing the optional trip protection plan helps you recoup these expenditures. If you miss the departure of your program due to carrier-caused delays or other covered reasons, the plan will reimburse you up to the specified limit for any unused travel arrangements and/or out-of-pocket expenses such as accommodation, meal, and transportation expenses to catch up to the program.

If you must interrupt your trip or return home early for a covered reason, the Road Scholar Trip Protection Plan includes trip interruption coverage, which provides you with a monetary reimbursement for the unused portion of the program, plus the additional airfare cost to return home.

For example: On the third day of a week-long program, you trip over a rock while hiking and injure your wrist. After being evaluated by a local doctor, she determines that you suffered a severe sprain as well as a possible fracture. The doctor recommends you return home immediately for further treatment. Purchasing the trip protection plan may help provide reimbursement for the unused portion of your program and help cover the additional travel expenses you incur traveling home early.

Yes. The Road Scholar Trip Protection Plan provides coverage should you or your traveling companion’s family member have a covered sickness or injury, even if they aren’t scheduled to travel with you.

For example: If you have to cancel your program due to your traveling companion’s brother’s recent hospitalization for a covered sickness, or if your spouse has an accident and sustains a serious injury, the plan will reimburse you for the money you must forfeit, which may include Road Scholar cancellation fees and non-refundable airline tickets.

No. The plan’s trip interruption benefit only provides reimbursement for reasons covered under the travel insurance portion of the plan.

If you are Quarantined* prior to your trip, the trip cancellation benefit may reimburse you for unused pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs. If you are Quarantined during your trip, the trip interruption benefit may reimburse you for missed, unused pre-paid non-refundable trip costs and additional transportation costs to return home or catch up to your trip.

If COVID-19 causes you to be Quarantined*, delaying your trip for 6 hours or more, you may be eligible for trip delay benefits which may reimburse additional expenses for transportation, meals and accommodations, as well as missed unused pre-paid, non-refundable travel arrangements (up to the limits indicated in the plan). In each case, you would need to provide proof from a doctor or government authority verifying your need to quarantine, as well as receipts for any expenses incurred.

*Quarantine means the enforced strict isolation and confinement of You or Your Traveling Companion at a single location, for medical reasons, pursuant to an order by an official government authority, a lawfully authorized deputy of such authority, or a licensed practicing Physician, which prevents any interaction with other persons for a specified period of time not exceeding the incubation period for a contagious disease to which You or Your Traveling Companion have been exposed. Governmental orders imposing Prohibited Access, social distancing, self-isolation that does not meet all of the requirements set forth above, shelter in place, or stay at home requirements or recommendations do not constitute a Quarantine.

NOTE:  A positive COVID test performed by a medical professional may qualify as documentation of a covered Sickness under the policy and may also qualify as verification of Quarantine. A “home” COVID test does not provide necessary documentation of Sickness or Quarantine if performed without confirmation of results from a medical lab, medical facility or physician. 

From an insurance perspective, COVID-19 is treated the same as any other sickness. As long as an individual is able to demonstrate proof provided by a third-party professional (nurse, clinician, doctor, health practitioner or video proctor etc.) that they tested positive for COVID-19 (whether the test was conducted in-person or remotely via a telehealth service) and/or has an illness due to COVID-19, they are considered to have a “covered illness,” and therefore expenses incurred due to their positive test result and/or illness are reimbursable according to the terms and limits of any applicable insurance policy.

COVID Tests That Qualify for Insurance Coverage

• In-Person Tests: A COVID test performed on an individual by a certified medical professional (nurse, clinician, doctor, etc.) who provides the individual with a report that includes the type of test, the entity issuing the result, the date and time the test was administered.
• Telehealth Tests: A COVID self-collection test supervised by an approved health practitioner or proctor authorized by the manufacturer conducted under real-time video observation via a telehealth service, such as Ellume by Azova, QuickMD, eMed, or any other reputable telehealth service, with the telehealth service issuing the individual a report detailing the test results. For the test to be valid and qualify for insurance coverage, it must meet this criteria:
  • The test must be a viral antigen or NAAT/PCR test.
  • The test must be proctored. That means the participant must perform the test during a live telehealth video call with an authorized technician supervising the procedure in real time.
  • The telehealth provider must confirm the participant’s identity, observe the participant perform the test, confirm the test result, and issue a report that includes the type of test, the entity issuing the result, the date and time the test was administered.

Tests That DO NOT Qualify for Insurance Coverage

• A COVID self-test that was conducted solely by an individual does not qualify as a covered sickness, as there is no independent and approved third-party (i.e. medical professional or test proctor) to substantiate the test result or whom performed the test. Photos or videos taken on a cell phone of someone taking a self-test do not qualify for insurance coverage.

Please note that these are only guidelines, and coverage for expenses related to COVID-19 illness is limited, so we therefore recommend reviewing your policy details carefully and contacting Aon Affinity, the plan administrator, if you have specific questions regarding qualifying COVID-19 tests, or coverage for expenses related to COVID-19 illness. 

It’s not just family members who reside with you. “Family Member” includes your or your traveling companion’s spouse, children, parents, sibling, domestic partner, caregiver, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, sons and daughters-in-law, nieces and nephews, among others. Please refer to the Definitions section of the plan’s certificate of benefits or policy of insurance at https://www.archinsurancesolutions.com/coverage/RoadScholar/Optional for a complete listing.

Yes, as with most travel insurance plans, the optional Road Scholar Trip Protection Plan does include a pre-existing conditions exclusion.

However, if you purchase Road Scholar’s Trip Protection Plan within 14 days of your initial enrollment for your program, then the plan’s Pre-Existing Conditions Exclusion will be waived, provided you are not disabled from travel at the time the plan payment is made. This is why we highly encourage you to purchase the plan when you enroll in your program.

Yes. The Road Scholar Trip Protection Plan will protect your program investment if the pre-existing condition of family member who is not traveling with you makes you cancel or interrupt your program.

For example: You enroll in a program to Argentina. Your sister would love to join you but her heart condition will prevent her from taking a long international trip. Then, a few days prior to your program, your sister’s medical condition worsens and she is hospitalized. You cancel your enrollment in order to be with her and, because you have purchased Road Scholar’s Trip Protection Plan, you will receive a full refund of your program payment and any non-refundable airline tickets.

Yes. As with all travel insurance plans, certain benefits are provided for covered reasons, with some limitations and restrictions. In order to offer these benefits at a reasonable cost, certain exclusions do apply for some plan benefits. Please click here to view the plan's certificate of insurance. 

The Cancel for Any Reason Credit Feature* and Trip Cancellation benefits (under the travel insurance portion of the plan) begins at 12:01 a.m. the day the plan cost is received. All other benefits become effective from the date and time you start your program.

Yes. Shortly after purchasing Trip Protection for your upcoming program you will be emailed a detailed notice confirming your purchase. 

To view and download your state-specific certificate of benefits or policy of insurance, which includes the plan benefits, terms, conditions, and exclusions, please click here.

The Road Scholar Trip Protection Plan can be purchased when you are on the phone with us, whether when enrolling in a Road Scholar program or anytime thereafter up to 15 days prior to the published program start date, or when enrolling in a program via our website. 

Please click HERE to view the plan's prices. 

The Road Scholar Trip Protection Plan can be purchased no later than 15 days prior to the published program start date.

However, keep in mind that if you purchase the plan within 14 days of when you enroll, the plan’s Pre-Existing Conditions Exclusion will be waived. Additionally, to be eligible for the Cancel for Any Reason Credit* Feature, you must purchase the plan on or prior to the program’s Final Payment Date. With these two important dates in mind, to ensure all program payments are protected, we encourage you to purchase the plan either when you enroll or shortly thereafter..

Yes, but only within 10 days of purchase. As stated in the policy, if after purchasing the plan you are not satisfied for any reason, you may cancel your coverage within 10 days of plan purchase. Your premium will be refunded, provided there has been no incurred covered expense and you have not departed on your program. To cancel coverage and receive a refund you must notify Road Scholar within 10 days of protection plan purchase.

If you have questions about the plan's insurance benefits, coverages, limitations or exclusions, please call Aon Affinity, the plan adminstrator, toll free at (877) 846-8806 with any questions regarding the Road Scholar Trip Protection Plan. An Aon Affinity customer service representative will be happy to assist you. Aon Affinity can be reached at (877) 846-8806 or (516) 342-2720

If you have questions about the plan's Cancel for Any Reason feature, please first review the FAQs above. If you still have questions please call Road Scholar for assistance. 

If you must cancel your enrollment, you must call Road Scholar immediately at (877) 426-8056 to notify us of your cancellation. Remember, if you are canceling for a reason that may not be covered by insurance, to qualify for the Cancel for Any Reason Credit* Feature you must call us prior to the program start date. 

After notifying Road Scholar of your desire to cancel, or if you need to file a Trip Interruption or Travel Delay claim, you must then initiate a claim with Aon Affinity, the plan administrator.

There are two ways to file a claim:

• For faster claims processing you can file a claim electronically 24 hours a day from the convenience of your computer or mobile device by going to: www.aontravelclaim.com
• You can call Aon Affinity to request a paper claim form be mailed to you: (877) 846-8806. Claim forms are usually delivered within 5 business days after being requested

Please call Aon Affinity at (877) 846-8806 if you have questions about the claim process, or to check the status of your claim.

Typically 4 weeks upon receipt of a complete claim where no further information is needed. However, if a claim submitted without sufficient information (such as a missing  signed statement by the treating physician verifying the injury or illness or other documentation needed to support the claim) Aon Affinity will  contact you to request additional information in order to validate and process the claim. Please also note that at certain times the claims processing time may be longer due a high number of travel insurance claims or other factors. 

If you need to cancel your enrollment, the amount of the Road Scholar cancellation or transfer fee will deducted first from the Cancellation Fee Credit you used to the program balance. If the credit amount is greater than the Road Scholar fee, the remaining credit value will remain on your account, ready to be applied toward your next program enrollment.

If Road Scholar is forced to cancel your program, the amount of the credit you used toward the balance of your program cost will be automatically restored, given a new 15-month term, and be on your account and available to apply to your next program. In other words, you will not lose value or time off your credit when we cancel a program.

Please click here to visit our Cancellation Fee Credit webpage for additional information about how participants can use Cancellation Fee Credits.