Travel insurance for missed flights and delays

Does travel insurance cover missed or delayed flights?

Travel insurance can cover you for missed 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.

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.

When you're covered for missed flights

If you miss a flight because you didn't get to the airport on time, you'll might be covered. The reason for the delay needs to be out of your control and unexpected. You'll also need to have planned to arrive at the airport early enough for your flight - typically the standard is 2 hours before take off for domestic flights, 3 hours for international trips.

When you're not covered for a missed flight

You're not covered in situations where you are at fault for the delayed or missed flight, for example:

• You did not 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.
• If you don't have natural disaster cover, delays related to a natural disasters won't be covered.

You'll also need evidence of the delay. This means being caught in a traffic jam generally won't be covered. However, your train breaking down may be, because there'll be a record of it. That means you can provide proof that both the train was delayed and you left enough time to get to the airport when making a claim.

When you're covered for delayed or cancelled flights

If your flight is delayed or cancelled, whether you're covered will depend on the reason for and length of the delay.

• Firstly, the delay will need to be out of the control of the airline. This is because costs caused by the airline should be covered by the airline directly.
• Secondly, you'll need to be delayed a certain length of time, for example 6 hours. How much you're covered for will depend on the actual costs incurred, but the minimum length of time is a pretty standard requirement across most travel insurance providers.

What costs can you claim back

If you miss a flight because of an insurable event, assuming you meet all the requirements of your travel insurance company, you may be able to get cover for:

• The costs of re-arranging your travel plans, like changing or booking a new flight
• The cost of additional accomodation or meals you need to book
• Alternative travel arrangements to some events that can't be rescheduled (eg weddings, funerals, ticketed concerts or events)

The exact costs covered vary by policy. I know that's vague, but without listing every insurance fund it's hard to be more specific. Use the travel insurance comparison tool at the top of this page, and check out the details we've listed there - that's the best place to start.

Our expert says

"Flying is quick, but airports are slow. Always aim to be there at least 2 hours ahead of time. And remember, flight delays that are the airline's fault won't typically be covered by insurance - that's the airline's problem to solve. Taking out insurance purely to cover the risk of missing flights doesn't make sense, but it's a potentially useful extra you'll find in most cover."

Angus Kidman

Editor-at-large

What to do when a flight is cancelled or delayed

When something unplanned happens and your flight is delayed or cancelled, or you miss the flight, here's a quick list of what to do.

• Keep records: Document what's happened, when it happened and why it happened, and try to keep a paper trail of everything.
• Get it in writing: If the flight is delayed, get the airline to issue the details in writing, including the reason for the delay.
• Ask for compensation: Ask the airline right away if it will compensate you for the changes. If they deny it, get it in writing.
• Record your costs: If you have to make changes, take notes and keep the receipts.
• Call you travel insurer: As soon as you're able, give your insurance company a call and get advice on what they'll cover.

What other cancellation cover is available?

As well as compensation for missed flights, travel insurance can provide cover for trip interruptions and cancellations of different kinds. Cancellation cover protects policyholders from lost deposits and cancellation fees for prepaid travel arrangements that are interrupted by unforeseen situations. Circumstances that cancellation insurance may cover includes:

• Extreme events. Situations where your travel arrangements are affected by natural disasters.
• Severe illness or injury. Trip cancellation expenses incurred as a result of a doctor declaring you unfit to continue your journey.
• Severe illness, injury or death of a close relative. Trip cancellation expenses incurred because you must return home to be with a sick or dying relative.
• Emergency accommodation expenses. Accommodation expenses incurred due to trip delay or disruption.
• Alternative transport expenses. Transport expenses incurred in getting to a pre-booked event such as a wedding, funeral or sporting event after your journey has been cancelled or disrupted.

As with missed flight insurance, there are certain circumstances that trip interruption or cancellation insurance will not cover. These include:

• Insure-N-Go, CGU and

Itrek

will provide cancellations cover and medical and emergency costs resulting from such activity.
• Pandemic/epidemic. While insurers such as AAMI and iCover don’t provide cancellation cover in the event of a pandemic or epidemic.

Frequently asked questions about missed flights and delays

• Does travel insurance cover missed connections?

  Travel insurance won't usually cover you if you miss your connecting flight due to a delay caused by the airline. In this case, the liability falls with the airline and it is responsible for arranging an alternative flight for your return.

• What if my delay from my missed connection lasts for a couple of days?

  The airline should provide additional cover for food and accommodation while you wait for your next flight.

• What if I am travelling with 2 different airlines and the first is delayed?

  Unfortunately, the second airline of your connecting flight is not liable to cover you if the first carrier is delayed. This means you may need to purchase another ticket out of your own pocket.

• I'm going to miss my flight, what do I do?

  If you know you're going to miss a flight there are steps you can take to help your situation with both your airline and insurer.

  • Call the airline ahead of time. Calling ahead will allow airlines to sometimes hold the aeroplane if you are a few minutes late, or if they have to take off, they may move you to the next flight for free.
  • Get proof of delay. If there is a breakdown on the road, get a police report or if your flights are missed because of a late connection get a written statement from the airline. These will back up any claims you make with your insurer.
  • Check in online. If you check in online, have picked up your boarding pass, but arrive at the gate late, some airlines may issue a ticket to the next flight for free.

• What if I get bumped from a flight?

  Quite often, airlines will overbook tickets to account for no-shows. Sometimes, when all of the ticket holders do show up, they will involuntarily "bump" or move you to the next flight and compensate you in rewards or by refunding you more than your ticket's cost price. While this is legal, it can be inconvenient for your travel plans, especially if you're travelling on business. The airline will also generally cover you for accommodation and meals if it is required. In these circumstances, there's little that travel insurance can do to help.

• Will travel insurance cover me if my car breaks down on the way to the resort I'm staying at?

  Unfortunately, travel insurance will not provide cover if your car breaks down and you miss a day at the resort you are staying at. It is not covered under trip interruption cover.

• Will I be covered if I miss my flight due to traffic?

  No, you will not be covered if you miss your flight due to traffic. You may be covered if you are involved in a car accident.

• How does the baggage delay benefit work with travel insurance?

  Baggage delay benefit will provide cover for you to purchase clothing, toiletries and other essential items if your luggage is delayed for a specified period of time – usually at least 12 hours.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Tim Bennett as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Gary Ross Hunter

Editor, Insurance

Gary Ross Hunter was an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio

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