My flight was canceled to/from the New York area because of the Canadian wildfires, now what?

If your flight was canceled as a result of the FAA ground stop, you may be eligible for reimbursement of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs through your policy’s Trip Cancellation benefit.

Most Trip Cancellation policies cover cancellations caused by natural disasters or severe weather, which includes coverage for wildfires. To be eligible for coverage, most providers require the policy be purchased before the smoke began impacting travel on June 6, 2023. In order for coverage to apply, your trip must be canceled outright due to the ground stop, or delayed significantly, by at least 6-48 hours, depending on the policy.

If you experience a cancellation due to the FAA ground stop resulting from the wildfire smoke, it’s recommended to call your provider’s 24-Hour Emergency Assistance department to receive help and review your specific policy’s coverage.

This information may vary based on the travel insurance policy. If you have questions about a specific policy, please contact us directly at 800-240-0369. Our customer service representatives are available from 8am to 10pm ET, seven days a week, and are delighted to help!