What is SPOT Refund Insurance & Refund Guarantee?
Refund Guarantee and Refund Insurance are optional add-ons offered during registration that protects your race entry if your plans change. Which one you're offered depends on how far out from race day you register — and on your registration cost:
Registering 1–30 days before your event: Refund Guarantee — cancel for any reason, get 80% of your registration cost back, up until 24 hours before your event.
Registering 31–60 days before your event: Refund Guarantee — cancel for any reason, get 80% of your registration cost back, up until 72 hours before your event.
Registering 61+ days before your event: Refund Insurance — cancel for specific covered reasons (such as injury, illness, or other qualifying events), get up to 100% of your registration cost back, up until your event starts.
Registrations over $2,000 are automatically offered Refund Insurance, regardless of when you register. Refund Guarantee has a maximum coverage limit of $2,000; Refund Insurance has a maximum coverage limit of $10,000.
It's powered by Spot. Whichever protection you're offered will be clearly shown at checkout before you buy, and you can look up your specific coverage terms anytime afterward at myaccount.getspot.com.
Already registered and purchased SPOT coverage before August 5, 2026? Your original coverage terms apply exactly as purchased — this update only affects new registrations going forward.
Which refund coverage do you have?
It depends on how far out you registered.
| Registered | Coverage | Cancel for | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–30 days before race | Refund Guarantee | Any reason | 24 hrs before race |
| 31–60 days before race | Refund Guarantee | Any reason | 72 hrs before race |
| 61+ days before race | Refund Insurance | Specific reasons only (injury, illness, etc.) | Anytime before race starts |
Refund Guarantee pays 80% back. Refund Insurance pays up to 100% back, but only for a covered reason.
Not sure which one you have? You can look up your specific coverage terms anytime afterward at myaccount.getspot.com.
Why choose Refund Guarantee or Refund Insurance?
🛡 Peace of mind — register early without worrying about the “what ifs”
🔄 Flexible protection — the right coverage for how far out you're registering
⏱ Simple process — refunds are handled directly by Spot
🏃 Runner-first flexibility — keep your options open while committing to a race
FAQs
What's the difference between Refund Guarantee and Refund Insurance?
Refund Guarantee (1–60 days before your event and registrations under $2,000) lets you cancel for any reason. Refund Insurance (61+ days before your event, or registrations over $2,000) requires a specific covered reason — like injury, illness, or another qualifying life event — but pays back a higher percentage and stays active all the way up to race start.
What does Refund Insurance actually cover?
Refund Insurance reimburses your non-refundable registration cost for listed unforeseen events that keep you from racing, including but not limited to:
- Your or a family member's death, sickness, or injury
- Inclement weather causing a travel delay, road closure, or common carrier cancellation of 24+ consecutive hours that prevents you from reaching the race — this does not include the race itself being cancelled, postponed, or altered by the event organizer due to weather, fire danger, poor air quality, or similar conditions
- Your home or destination accommodation becoming uninhabitable due to a natural disaster, vandalism, or burglary
- Your employer requiring you to relocate 250+ miles
- Revocation of previously granted military leave or reassignment
- Involuntary termination or layoff, provided you were an active employee with the same employer for at least one continuous year (does not apply to temporary/seasonal work, contractors, freelancers, or self-employed individuals)
Additional terms and conditions apply. Review your plan document for full details.
How much does coverage cost?
Pricing is calculated as a percentage of your registration cost and shown at checkout before you buy. If your registration cost is less than $100, your plan cost is a flat 9%.
When can I request a refund?
Refund Guarantee: any time after registering, up until 24 hours (if you registered 1–30 days out) or 72 hours (if you registered 31–60 days out) before your event.
Refund Insurance: any time after registering, up until your event starts — as long as your reason for cancelling is a covered one.
How do I request a refund?
Refund requests are submitted directly through Spot. Spot handles refund requests, eligibility checks, customer support, and payouts. You don't need to contact the Race Director or UltraSignup.
How will I know if I’m covered?
Your confirmation email and receipt will clearly show your Spot package if you purchased coverage.
Can I add Refund Guarantee or Refund Insurance after I’ve already registered?
No. Refund Guarantee or Refund Insurance must be purchased at the time of registration and can’t be added later.
Is there a maximum registration amount covered?
Yes. Refund Guarantee covers registrations up to $2,000; Refund Insurance covers registrations up to $10,000. Any registration over $2,000 is automatically offered Refund Insurance rather than Refund Guarantee, regardless of when you register.
Does Refund Guarantee or Refund Insurance work for virtual events?
No. Virtual events are not eligible.
Does Refund Guarantee or Refund Insurance cover event cancellation?
No. This is not event insurance - rather, it protects your individual ability to participate. See your Refund Guarantee or Refund Insurance confirmation email for complete terms and conditions.
What happens if I receive a refund directly from the Race Director?
If you receive a refund directly from the Race Director or event organizer, your coverage is voided and Spot will not issue an additional refund.
What happens if my registration is cancelled in UltraSignup?
If you, the race organizer, or UltraSignup removes your registration, your Refund Guarantee or Refund Insurance coverage is void and Spot will not issue an additional refund. Withdrawals must be processed through SPOT to receive your refund.
What if the event date changes?
If an event date is updated, your coverage automatically adjusts to the new date.
The only exception is if you already requested a refund through Spot before the date change.
What if I transfer my registration to another runner?
Coverage is not transferable.
If you transfer your registration, the coverage will be voided.
How does Refund Guarantee or Refund Insurance work with lotteries?
You can add coverage when entering a lottery. If you're selected and your payment is processed, your coverage begins automatically based on the coverage selected during registration.
What if I change race distances?
Downgrades: Coverage remains active, but you won’t receive a refund for the price difference.
Upgrades: Coverage remains active and continues through your cancellation deadline.
Is this required?
No. It's optional - race organizers decide whether to make it available on their event, and you decide whether it's right for you.
Who is Eligible?
Coverage is available for registrants who opted in at checkout and paid the full premium. The age 81+ exclusion applies only to Refund Insurance — Refund Guarantee has no age restriction.
Resources
SPOT Terms and Conditions - Refund Guarantee
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