What does travel insurance cover?

Travel insurance often covers flight-related issues such as cancellations, delays, and missed connections. Learn what travel insurance covers and why you might need it.

• Standard travel insurance may cover trip cancellation, delayed departure, baggage loss, delay or theft, or emergency medical cover for international trips
• Depending on your coverage, travel insurance may also cover flight cancellations due to severe weather conditions, natural disasters, or unexpected illness or injury

When planning a trip, one question that often comes to mind is: “What does travel insurance cover?” While travel insurance encompasses a wide range of protections, from medical emergencies to lost luggage, many travelers are particularly concerned about flight-related coverage. After all, flights are often the most expensive and critical part of any journey.

In this guide, we'll explore the ins and outs of travel insurance as it relates to flights, helping you understand what's typically covered, what isn't, and how to make the most of your policy.

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is a type of coverage that protects you from financial losses and unexpected events during your trip. It typically includes a range of benefits, from medical emergencies to trip cancellations and lost luggage.

When you book flights through Booking.com, you have the option to purchase comprehensive travel insurance. But what does travel insurance cover? This insurance covers standard travel risks, including:

1. Trip cancellation
2. Delayed departure
3. Baggage loss, delay, or theft
4. Emergency medical cover for international trips

These protections provide peace of mind as you plan and embark on your journey.

Do you need travel insurance?

While travel insurance isn't mandatory for most trips, it provides valuable protection and peace of mind. Here are some reasons to consider travel insurance:

1. Financial protection: Travel insurance can reimburse you for non-refundable expenses if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip.
2. Medical coverage: If you're traveling internationally, your regular health insurance may not cover you. Travel insurance can provide emergency medical coverage.
3. Baggage protection: If your luggage is lost, stolen, or delayed, travel insurance can help cover the costs of essential items.
4. Travel assistance: Many policies offer 24/7 assistance services, which is invaluable if you encounter problems during your trip.

When booking flights through Booking.com, you have the option to add comprehensive travel insurance to your reservation. This insurance covers a wide range of potential issues, from trip cancellations to medical emergencies, making it a convenient way to protect your travel investment.

Does travel insurance cover canceled flights?

Yes, in many cases, travel insurance does cover canceled flights. However, the coverage varies depending on the reason for cancellation and the specific terms of your policy.

Typically, travel insurance will cover flight cancellations due to:

• Severe weather conditions
• Natural disasters
• Security threats
• Unexpected illness or injury
• Death of you or a travel companion

It's important to note that not all reasons for cancellation are covered. For example, if you simply change your mind about traveling, that usually isn't covered under standard policies. You may have the option to purchase “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage, but this type of coverage is more expensive and usually only covers a portion of the cost of your trip if you decide to cancel.

What to do if your flight is canceled

If your flight is canceled:

1. Contact your airline immediately to explore rebooking options.
2. Document everything, including any additional expenses incurred due to the cancellation.
3. Review your travel insurance policy to understand what's covered.
4. File a claim with your insurance provider as soon as possible, providing all necessary documentation.

Remember, if you booked your flight through Booking.com and purchased their comprehensive insurance, you're covered for trip cancellations, making the process smoother and potentially saving you money.

Does travel insurance cover missed flights?

Travel insurance may cover missed flights but it depends on your specific policy. Generally, insurance will cover missed flights due to:

• Delays in public transportation
• A traffic accident on your way to the airport
• Severe weather preventing you from reaching the airport

However, if you miss your flight because you overslept or miscalculated travel time to the airport, that typically isn't covered.

What to do if you miss your flight

If you miss your flight:

1. Contact the airline immediately to see if they can accommodate you on a later flight.
2. Keep all receipts for any additional expenses you incur.
3. Check your insurance policy to see if your situation is covered.
4. If covered, file a claim with your insurance provider, providing all necessary documentation.

Does travel insurance cover flight delays?

Yes, many travel insurance policies cover flight delays, but the specifics vary. Typically, your policy will start to cover expenses after a certain number of hours of delay (often 6–12 hours, but check your policy for details).

Coverage for flight delays usually includes:

• Meals and accommodations during the delay
• Transportation costs
• Non-refundable expenses for missed portions of your trip due to the delay

The comprehensive insurance offered by Booking.com includes coverage for delayed departures, ensuring you're protected if your flight is significantly delayed.

What to do if your flight is affected by delays

If your flight is delayed:

1. Keep all boarding passes and any documents related to the delay.
2. If the delay is extended, ask the airline about compensation for meals or accommodations.
3. Keep receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses related to the delay.
4. Check your insurance policy to understand when delay coverage kicks in.
5. Once the delay meets or exceeds your policy's time requirement, file a claim with your insurance provider.

Does travel insurance cover canceled flights due to strikes?

Many travel insurance policies do cover flight cancellations due to strikes, but it's essential to check the specific terms of your policy. Some policies may have exclusions or limitations related to labor disputes.

Does travel insurance cover flights canceled due to weather?

Yes, most travel insurance policies cover flights canceled due to severe weather conditions. This is often categorized under “trip cancellation” or “trip interruption” coverage.

However, it's important to note that you need to have purchased your insurance before the weather event was forecasted. Once a storm or other weather event is known and named (in the case of hurricanes, for example), it's usually too late to purchase insurance to cover that specific event.

The comprehensive insurance offered through Booking.com when you book your flights includes coverage for weather-related cancellations, providing valuable protection against unpredictable weather events.

Conclusion

Travel insurance covers many flight-related issues, including cancellations, delays, and missed connections. However, the specifics of what's covered varies widely between policies. Make sure you’re aware of these things before purchasing travel insurance:

1. It's crucial to read and understand your policy's terms and conditions before you travel.
2. Know what is and isn’t covered in your policy.
3. Before purchasing travel insurance, check to see if you already have coverage through your own health or car insurance and possibly even your credit card if you’ve purchased a ticket with it.
4. Check the duration of your policy – often you can choose between an annual plan or coverage for a single trip.
5. Familiarize yourself with the claim procedure in advance so you know what to do when the time comes to file a claim.

Remember, the best travel insurance is the one that gives you peace of mind and allows you to enjoy your journey, knowing you're protected against the unexpected.