Travel
The Ultimate Guide to Travel Insurance for Complex Times
Many of the complications affecting travelers in 2026 aren’t covered by standard insurance policies. Here’s an explainer to help you navigate your options amid unprecedented uncertainty.
There are plenty of unexpected reasons for flight cancellations.
Photographer: Fadel Itani/Getty ImagesJohn Popovics thought he’d done everything right.
Earlier this year the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign civil engineering professor was planning a trip to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to take part in a National Science Foundation workshop. Because the costs were adding up quickly, he chose cheaper, nonrefundable options for his flights and hotels — as well as the Travel Guard insurance that United Airlines Inc. offered.