Does Flight Insurance Cover Missed Flights and What You Need to Know

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Flight insurance can be a lifesaver in case of unexpected flight cancellations or interruptions.

Most flight insurance policies cover missed flights due to unforeseen circumstances such as flight cancellations, delays, or even trip cancellations.

However, it's essential to review your policy carefully to understand the specific coverage and conditions.

Typically, flight insurance policies require you to purchase coverage within a certain time frame after booking your flight, usually within 24 to 72 hours.

What Flight Insurance Covers

Flight insurance can cover a range of flight-related issues, including missed or delayed flights.

If your flight is cancelled or delayed for more than 12 hours, travel disruption cover can provide additional accommodation and travel costs up to €1,000.

Travel insurance can cover missed or delayed flights, but only in certain circumstances. To be eligible for coverage, you'll need to have done everything you can to get to the airport on time, and the reason for the delay should be outside your control.

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If your flight is delayed or cancelled, the delay will need to be out of the airline's control, and you'll need to be delayed for a certain length of time, typically 6 hours.

The length of time required for a delay to be considered covered varies depending on the travel insurance provider.

Here are some examples of what flight insurance covers:

  • Missed or delayed flights due to unforeseen circumstances
  • Additional accommodation and travel costs up to €1,000 if your flight is cancelled or delayed for more than 12 hours
  • Cancellation or curtailment charges if the Department of Foreign Affairs or World Health Organisation advises against travel to your destination
  • Irrecoverable unused travel and accommodation costs up to €1,000

Travel Insurance for Disruptions

Travel insurance can cover missed or delayed flights, but only under specific circumstances. Generally, if you've done everything you can to get your flight, miss it for reasons outside your control, and aren't otherwise reimbursed, you should be able to make a claim.

If your flight is delayed or cancelled, whether you're covered will depend on the reason for and length of the delay. The delay will need to be out of the control of the airline, and you'll need to be delayed a certain length of time, for example 6 hours.

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Travel Disruption Cover provides additional protection for missed or delayed flights. It covers additional accommodation and travel costs up to €1,000 if your flight is cancelled or delayed for more than 12 hours. It also covers cancellation or curtailment charges if the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) or World Health Organisation (WHO) advise against travel to the country or specific area you are travelling to.

In general, many travel insurance policies will offer missed departure cover as standard for any reasonable additional expenses required for you to catch up with your itinerary. Limitations between policies will apply, so it's essential to read your travel insurance policy carefully to understand what constitutes a valid reason for submitting a claim for missed departure.

Here are some key things to know about Travel Disruption Cover:

  • Covers additional accommodation and travel costs up to €1,000 if your flight is cancelled or delayed for more than 12 hours.
  • Covers cancellation or curtailment charges if the DFA or WHO advise against travel to the country or specific area you are travelling to.
  • Covers irrecoverable unused travel and accommodation costs up to €1,000.
  • Covers accommodation if you have to be moved from your current location or cut your trip short due to flood, earthquake, volcanic eruption, etc.

Keep in mind that Travel Disruption cover will take 7 days to be effective and won't provide cover for anything existing or being publicly announced at the time of purchase.

Understanding Insurance

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Travel insurance can be a lifesaver, especially when it comes to missed flights. Generally, if you've done everything you can to get your flight, miss it for reasons outside your control, and aren't otherwise reimbursed, you should be able to make a claim.

The exact details of how you'll be covered vary a lot depending on which travel insurance company you have cover with and your individual situation. It's essential to read your policy carefully to understand what's covered and what's not.

Here are some key points to keep in mind:

  • Missed departure cover is often included in travel insurance policies as standard.
  • Limitations between policies will apply, so it's crucial to read your policy carefully.
  • Most travel insurers won't cover the cost of alternative transport if you miss your departure due to traffic delays.
  • Some policies may cover missed departure due to unforeseen events, such as a motorway crash.

Remember, flight delays that are the airline's fault won't typically be covered by insurance, so it's essential to aim to be at the airport with plenty of time to spare – at least 2 hours ahead of time.

What is Insurance?

Insurance is a type of financial protection that helps you manage risk and uncertainty in life. It's a way to transfer the financial burden of an unexpected event to an insurance company, so you can focus on recovery and moving forward.

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Insurance policies typically have a premium, which is the cost of coverage, and a deductible, which is the amount you pay out of pocket before the insurance kicks in. For example, a car insurance policy might have a premium of $100 per month and a deductible of $500.

Insurance can be categorized into different types, including life, health, property, and liability insurance. Life insurance, for instance, provides financial support to your loved ones in the event of your passing.

Insurance policies often have exclusions and limitations, which are specific circumstances under which the insurance company won't pay out. For example, a health insurance policy might not cover pre-existing conditions or certain types of medical procedures.

Insurance companies use actuarial tables to determine the likelihood of a certain event occurring, which helps them set premiums and create policies. This means that insurance companies are essentially betting on the chances of an event happening.

When Uninsured

Mobile electronic traffic sign with inscription Expect delays placed on road in city street in evening time
Credit: pexels.com, Mobile electronic traffic sign with inscription Expect delays placed on road in city street in evening time

When you miss a flight without insurance, you're on your own. You'll need to cover the costs of re-arranging your travel plans, like changing or booking a new flight, and any additional accommodation or meals you need to book.

If you miss a flight because you didn't get to the airport on time, you're not covered. The reason for the delay needs to be out of your control and unexpected.

Typically, you'll need to have planned to arrive at the airport early enough for your flight - usually 2 hours before take off for domestic flights, 3 hours for international trips. If you don't, you're not covered.

You're also not covered if you're at fault for the delayed or missed flight, such as if you didn't allow enough time to get to the airport before your flight's departure or if you booked connecting flights with arrival and departure times too close.

Photo of Air New Zealand in Flight
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Here are some specific situations where you're not covered for a missed flight:

  • You didn't allow enough time to get to the airport before your flight's departure.
  • You booked connecting flights with arrival and departure times too close.
  • You missed your flight due to issues with your travel documents and/or passport.
  • You don't have natural disaster cover, and delays related to a natural disaster won't be covered.

It's essential to read your policy wording carefully to understand what constitutes a valid reason for submitting a claim for missed departure.

Making a Claim

If your policy covers missed departure, your travel insurance will contribute towards any reasonable accommodation costs if the next available flight isn't until the next day.

You'll also be covered for the cost of a new ticket or amendment fee.

The type of costs you can claim back vary by policy, but may include the costs of re-arranging your travel plans, like changing or booking a new flight.

Additional accommodation or meals you need to book may also be covered.

To make a claim, read your policy wording carefully before purchasing to avoid any unwanted costs.

Here's a list of some of the things you can claim back if you miss a flight:

  • Costs of re-arranging your travel plans
  • Additional accommodation or meals
  • Alternative travel arrangements to some events that can't be rescheduled (eg weddings, funerals, ticketed concerts or events)

Keep in mind that flight delays that are the airline's fault won't typically be covered by insurance.

Key Concepts and Compensation

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Flight insurance can be a lifesaver when it comes to missed flights and delays. It can cover you for reasons outside of your control, such as injury, bad weather, or industrial action.

However, it's essential to note that travel insurance typically won't cover you if the airline is at fault for the delay. So, if you're running late due to long queues at the check-in desk or increased security checks, you're out of luck.

If you miss your departure, the airline won't compensate you unless it's not your fault. But what does that mean, exactly? In general, the airline won't consider it their fault if you're late due to reasons like long queues or security checks.

Some airlines offer a 'rescue fee or missed departure fee', where you can purchase a new ticket at a reduced cost if you're able to make it back to the check-in desk within two hours of your flight departing.

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Here's a quick rundown of what you need to know:

  • Travel insurance covers missed flights and delays for reasons outside of your control.
  • Travel insurance typically won't cover you if the airline is at fault for the delay.
  • Airline won't compensate you if you miss your departure due to reasons like long queues or security checks.
  • Some airlines offer a 'rescue fee or missed departure fee' for reduced-cost new tickets.

Rosalie O'Reilly

Writer

Rosalie O'Reilly is a skilled writer with a passion for crafting informative and engaging content. She has honed her expertise in a range of article categories, including Financial Performance Metrics, where she has established herself as a knowledgeable and reliable source. Rosalie's writing style is characterized by clarity, precision, and a deep understanding of complex topics.

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