Planning your next adventure can be exciting, especially when you’ve spent time dreaming big and bringing your travel goals to life. But no matter how well you plan, flight disruptions can happen when you least expect them. Having travel insurance in place can help ease the financial stress and logistical headaches that come with unexpected changes to your itinerary.
If you’re wondering how travel insurance works when flights are delayed, canceled, or rescheduled, here’s a quick guide to help you understand how coverage can help protect your journey from takeoff to touchdown.
What is a flight disruption?
In the context of travel insurance, a flight disruption typically refers to a delay, cancellation, missed connection, or schedule change that prevents you from traveling as planned. These disruptions can be caused by severe weather, mechanical issues, airline strikes, or other unforeseen circumstances.
How can travel insurance help?
Travel insurance can provide several types of benefits related to flight disruptions. Depending on your policy and the nature of the event, you may be eligible for reimbursement under coverage types such as:
- Trip cancellation: If you’re forced to cancel your trip before departure due to a covered reason.
- Trip interruption: If you need to cut your trip short after it has begun.
- Travel delay: If your departure is significantly delayed.
- Missed connection: If you miss a connecting flight because of a delay with your prior flight.
Coverage availability and limits may vary, so it’s important to review your policy details closely to understand what’s included.
Which events are typically covered?
If you’ve purchased a Cover-More travel insurance policy from Cover-More, you may be able to file a claim for flight disruption caused by unforeseen events, such as:
- Severe weather or natural disasters
- Mechanical failure of the aircraft
- Airline strikes resulting in full interruption of services
- Acts such as hijacking
These situations are generally considered unexpected and outside of your control, making them eligible for coverage under many policies as long as your plan was purchased before the disruption occurred.
What about missed flights?
There are a few ways you might miss a flight, from a delayed inbound flight to a last-minute cancellation by your airline. Depending on the reason and timing, your travel insurance might help with:
- Reimbursement for nonrefundable travel costs
- Coverage for reasonable additional expenses (like meals or lodging) if you’re stuck waiting for a new flight
- Reimbursement for the cost of catching up to your itinerary
Some policies only offer coverage for one delay per trip, usually whichever delay results in the highest cost, so be sure to read your entire policy.
When flight disruptions aren’t covered
Travel insurance is designed to help protect you against unexpected events, so it won’t cover known or preventable situations. In general, you won’t be covered for flight disruptions caused by:
- War or acts of war
- Epidemics or pandemics (unless specifically included in your policy)
- Pre-existing medical conditions (unless covered by your policy)
- Normal pregnancy or childbirth
- Government travel regulations or border closures
- Voluntarily changing your travel plans
- Financial hardship
In addition, coverage may not apply if:
- You’re traveling for medical treatment
- You’re traveling against a physician’s advice
- Your trip is less than 100 miles from your home
- The policy hasn’t gone into effect
Understanding these exclusions is key to avoiding surprises when filing a claim.
What if your airline offers a refund?
Even if your airline refunds the cost of a canceled flight, travel insurance can still offer valuable protection. For example, a refund might not cover prepaid hotel stays, tour packages, or transportation that you miss as a result of the disruption. With insurance, you may be able to recover those additional losses.
Travel insurance isn’t just about the flight; it’s also about helping to protect your entire trip investment. That’s why even when traveling within your home country, delays and disruptions can lead to unexpected expenses. If your plans include multiple legs, tight connections, or prepaid bookings, travel protection can help ensure that you're not left covering those costs out of pocket.
How to stay informed and file a claim
To stay ahead of potential issues, it’s wise to monitor travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State and to check for travel alerts that may affect your policy coverage.
If you do experience a flight disruption and need to file a claim, keep all receipts and documentation. Most insurers, including Cover-More, offer a simple online claim process.
Extra confidence while you explore
Traveling offers the chance to explore the world, connect with others, and create unforgettable memories. When you dream big, you want your trip to go smoothly, but it’s also smart to prepare for the unexpected.
With travel insurance, you can enjoy the journey knowing that you can have support in place if flight disruptions threaten to throw your plans off course. Make sure you understand your coverage, pack a little extra patience, and get ready to travel with confidence.