Does Travel Insurance Cover Flight Delays?

Some travel insurance policies pay for expenses after a long flight delay, cancellation or missed connection, but cover varies widely. Read your policy’s wording to see what applies.

What policies often cover

• Delay benefit: a fixed amount or reimbursement of expenses after a delay of a stated length, such as several hours.
• Cancellation and curtailment: costs if your trip is cancelled or cut short for covered reasons.
• Missed connection: costs if a delay causes you to miss onward travel.
• Baggage delay and loss: limits and conditions apply.

Common exclusions

• Delays that are not long enough to trigger the benefit.
• Delays you could have avoided or known about when you bought the policy.
• Strikes or airspace closures that were already announced.
• Claims without proof.

How to claim

1. Get written proof of the delay from the airline.
2. Keep receipts and boarding passes.
3. Notify the insurer within its time limits.
4. Submit the claim form with documents.

Credit card cover

Some payment cards include travel insurance. Check the terms.

Before you buy

Compare policies on delay length, limits and exclusions. Buy early, since many exclusions apply to events that are already known.

See how to claim compensation and passenger rights.

General information, not insurance advice.

General information only, not legal or safety advice. Details change; check with your airline and the relevant authority. See our editorial policy.