Travel Delay
With up to 2 million people preparing to fly over the next few days there will be some undoubted anxiety given the recent press regarding delayed and cancelled flights. Latest reports suggest that this is due to flights and holidays being oversold.
Given the above it is important to understand how travel insurance policies will operate should customers ask.
Unfortunately, where the airlines are cancelling flights prior to departure there would be no cover. In these circumstances customers should be referred to the airline through whom they booked to arrange a refund or a replacement booking.
Similarly, there is no cover where flights are missed due to delays at check in. Delayed check in is not a named peril that travel insurers will cover. As there is no recourse to the airline in this scenario customers should be advised to allow ample time to check in and clear security.
There is better news if your flight is delayed or delayed and subsequently cancelled. Most travel insurance policies do cater for this. JLU’s BIBA endorsed travel insurance policy for instance would provide cover under the Travel Delay section for either travel delay or abandonment following a 12 hour delay as a result of the following:
- Adverse weather conditions (but not those defined as a Catastrophe).
- Strike or Industrial Action.
- Mechanical breakdown of the Public Transport on which You are booked to travel.
- Cancellation by the transport provider of Your scheduled pre-booked international flight, ferry, train or coach.
This would cover any unused irrecoverable costs as set out in the policy wording.