Quick Answer
Yes, you can purchase insurance for your flight tickets. There are a few different types of travel insurance policies that can cover losses from flight cancellations, delays, or other unforeseen circumstances that could affect your trip. Some key options to consider include:
– Trip cancellation/interruption insurance – Covers non-refundable costs if you need to cancel your trip for covered reasons. Can reimburse prepaid travel expenses.
– Travel delay insurance – Provides reimbursement for additional costs if your flight is delayed for a specified number of hours (usually 6-12 hours).
– Missed connection insurance – Covers costs if you miss a connecting flight due to a delay.
– Baggage insurance – Provides coverage if your luggage is lost, damaged, stolen or delayed.
The specifics of coverage, exclusions, and reimbursement maximums vary by policy. Carefully read the details before purchasing a policy. Travel insurance for airfare is available from most major insurance companies, travel agencies, airlines, and travel booking sites.
What types of flight ticket insurance are available?
There are several common types of insurance policies that can protect your investment in flight tickets:
Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance
This type of policy will reimburse your prepaid, non-refundable trip expenses if you need to cancel your trip for a covered reason. Covered reasons can include:
– Illness, injury or death of you, a family member or travel companion
– Jury duty or being subpoenaed as a witness
– Terrorist event or hijacking
– Military duty for you, a travel companion or family member
– Named hurricane or other severe weather event
– Involuntary employer termination
– Pregnancy or adoption
– Your home becoming uninhabitable
Trip cancellation/interruption policies typically reimburse up to 100% of your prepaid, non-refundable costs including airfare, hotels, tours, cruise fees, rental cars, and other travel arrangements. Some policies offer coverage for travel points or miles as well.
Travel Delay Insurance
Travel delay insurance provides reimbursement if your flight departure is delayed for a set number of hours, usually from 6-12 hours depending on the policy. The policy will reimburse additional costs you incur during the delay such as hotel, meals, and local transportation. Some policies also pay out a set cash amount for each day the delay lasts.
Missed Connection Insurance
If you miss a connecting flight during your trip due to a delay or cancellation by the airline, missed connection coverage will reimburse the costs of catching up to your itinerary such as a hotel stay or change fees for a new flight. It provides protection in situations where the airline is not contractually obligated to assist you.
Baggage Insurance
Checked and carry-on baggage coverage can reimburse you if your luggage is damaged, lost, stolen or substantially delayed during your trip. Typical reimbursements are up to $2,500 per person for carry on bags and up to $3,000 per person for checked bags. Higher limits may be available.
Some baggage plans also cover items such as laptops, cameras and sports equipment which are often excluded from standard airline liability limits. Additionally, benefits like reimbursement for rental of essential items or clothing if bags are delayed are sometimes offered.
Emergency Medical/Evacuation Insurance
While not specifically flight insurance, having emergency medical and evacuation coverage is important for any trip. It covers costs for treatment and transport if you become ill or injured on your trip. Especially important for international travel when U.S. health insurance may not apply.
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
AD&D insurance pays out a lump sum if you die or suffer loss of a limb or permanent disability due to a covered accident during travel. Can provide additional peace of mind for families. Usually sold bundled with other travel insurance.
What does flight insurance typically cover?
Flight insurance plans can cover a variety of losses and disruptions related to your air travel:
– Trip cancellation or interruption for covered reasons resulting in forfeiture of non-refundable prepaid airfare.
– Delays in departure for a set number of hours (usually 6-12 hours) that result in costs for accommodations, meals, and transportation.
– Costs incurred if you miss a connecting flight due to a delay or cancellation by the airline.
– Baggage that is lost, damaged, stolen or delayed during your trip, covering possessions beyond what the airline covers.
– Accidental injuries, illnesses or death that occur during travel, providing medical treatment, evacuation, and repatriation of remains.
– Accidental death or loss of limbs or abilities resulting from a covered accident during travel.
– Inconveniences like flight or airport terminal changes beyond your control.
– Situations that arise from unforeseen circumstances during travel like natural disasters or political unrest.
– Inability to travel in situations where you are advised not to like a hurricane or terrorist event.
It’s important to note that terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply to all insurance policies. Not every loss or delay is covered, so read the details carefully and ensure important risks are included before purchasing.
What is NOT typically covered by flight insurance?
While flight insurance can be quite comprehensive, there are some things that policies usually exclude from coverage:
– Pre-existing medical conditions that are not waived at the time of purchase.
– Lost wages due to travel delays or trip cancellations.
– Trip cancellation for common reasons like fear of travel, change in plans, financial circumstances, or work obligations.
– Baggage that is delayed, damaged or lost when under the custody of the traveler instead of a common carrier.
– Trips that are cancelable without penalty or restrictions from the airline or property.
– Sports equipment like golf clubs, surfboards, bicycles which require special baggage policies.
– Situations where the traveler declines alternative transportation offered by the airline/tour provider.
– Terrorist events or epidemics unless a specific waiver is purchased.
– High risk adventure activities like skydiving, scuba diving, mountain climbing unless specifically covered.
– Travel to high risk destinations where government authorities have issued warnings.
– Losses that can be recouped from other sources like airlines, credit cards, homeowner’s insurance, etc.
As you can see, flight insurance does not cover every possible situation that could affect your travels. Carefully review exclusions before buying a policy so you know what is and isn’t covered.
How much does flight insurance cost?
The cost of flight insurance can range widely depending on the policy benefits, covered trip cost, destination, age of travelers, and other factors. Some typical costs include:
– Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: 4% to 8% of the insured trip cost.
– Travel delay insurance: $15 to $30 per person per day of coverage.
– Missed connection insurance: 5% to 15% of the insured trip cost.
– Baggage insurance: $10 to $40 per person per trip.
– Emergency medical evacuation insurance: 4% to 8% of the primary trip cost.
– Accidental death insurance: $10 to $20 per $100,000 of benefit.
For a $1000 flight to Europe for a 30 year old with $5000 in other insured trip expenses, a comprehensive policy could cost approximately $200 to $350. Typically the more coverage included, the more expensive the policy. Costs are usually higher for cruises or exotic destinations. Older travelers also often pay more.
Where can I buy flight insurance?
You have several options for purchasing travel insurance for your flights:
Directly From Travel Insurance Providers
Many insurance companies like Allianz, Travelex, and AIG directly offer flight protection plans. You can get quotes and purchase policies on their websites or over the phone. This allows you to customize your policy with the coverages and limits you need.
Through Travel Agencies
Booking flights through a travel agent often allows you to add travel insurance during the process. The agency can help explain available options and make recommendations.
From Airlines
Most airlines offer their own travel insurance or partner with insurance providers. You can add it when booking on their website or calling to purchase tickets. Airline policies only cover that carrier’s flights.
Via Travel Booking Sites
Websites like Expedia, Orbitz, Priceline and others allow you to compare and buy trip insurance when booking flights, hotels and rental cars. Offers varying levels of customization.
Through Credit Card Benefits
Some credit cards provide basic travel coverage for flights paid for with the card. Usually less extensive than purchased insurance but a free option to review.
No matter where you buy, make sure to carefully evaluate policy options to get the right protections at a fair price. Shop around for quotes before deciding.
When should I buy flight insurance?
The ideal time to purchase your flight insurance policy is shortly after your initial trip payment or booking. This ensures your prepaid costs will be covered if a situation arises that causes you to cancel prior to departure.
Most policies allow you to buy insurance up until 1-2 days before your scheduled departure date. But the earlier you insure the trip, the better protected you are from unforeseen events that could disrupt your plans.
Some general recommendations on when to purchase include:
– At the time of booking – Ensures cancellations from the outset are covered and comes with peace of mind.
– 24-48 hours after an initial deposit – Still very early in the process for comprehensive coverage.
– When you’ve made a large payment like the full flight cost or hotel stay.
– Minutes after a major life event like a health diagnosis or job loss.
– During hurricane or storm season if traveling to an impacted region.
– When traveling over a holiday period when greater disruptions are likely.
– No less than 1-2 weeks before departure to still allow time for a claim and processing if needed.
Buying too far in advance can mean paying for unnecessary coverage. But waiting until the last days leaves you at risk for disruptions. Strive for an ideal middle ground.
How do I file a claim on flight insurance?
If an unforeseen event or disruption occurs that keeps you from taking your trip, here is the process for filing an insurance claim:
1. Notify the insurance provider as soon as possible of the cancellation or issue. There is usually a time limit to report claims from when an event happens.
2. Provide details of the event and documentation. This could include a medical certificate, police report, proof of jury duty, or other evidence as requested.
3. Formally submit the claim with all supporting documents through mail, email or the insurer’s website claims portal.
4. Complete all required claim forms fully and honestly. Fraud can result in denial of claims.
5. The insurer will review the claim and request any additional information they need to process it. This may take 4-6 weeks or longer.
6. You will be notified if the claim is approved or denied. If approved, the reimbursement is typically sent within 2 weeks of approval.
7. If your claim is denied, you can file an appeal if you disagree with the decision and have additional evidence to support your case.
The easier you make it for an insurer to process your claim, the quicker you will receive resolution and any reimbursements owed under the policy. Keep documentation safe while traveling.
What other flight protections are available?
In addition to ticket insurance plans, there are some other ways you can gain protections for flight disruptions:
Airline Policies
Most airlines have contracts of carriage that provide some compensation in situations they control like flight delays or cancellations, denied boarding due to overbooking, or lost luggage. However, these protections are very limited.
Credit Card Benefits
Some travel credit cards provide basic trip delay coverage, lost luggage reimbursement, and access to emergency travel services. This can supplement an insurance policy.
Travel Protection Plans
Cruise lines, tour companies, hotels and other travel providers often offer cancellation waivers, guaranteed rates and other travel protection options when you book with them. Adds some security.
Travel Assistance Services
Insurers and credit card companies often provide 24/7 emergency travel assistance as part of policies and benefits. Provides help with rebooking disrupted plans, arranging medical care, and other services.
Frequent Flyer Status
Elite status tiers in airline loyalty programs sometimes provide fee waivers, priority rebooking and other assistance when flights don’t go as planned. Doesn’t replace insurance but can help.
No single method will cover all losses. A comprehensive insurance policy along with travel benefits from your airline and credit card gives the most well-rounded protections.
Conclusion
Booking a flight represents a significant upfront investment for your travel plans. Flight insurance provides protection for that purchase against financial losses from unforeseen trip cancellations, delays, or interruptions. It reimburses non-refundable costs, pays for extra expenses incurred, and provides peace of mind throughout the travel journey.
The key is purchasing the right policy at the optimal time, one that provides coverage tailored to your specific trip and budget. With proper protections in place, you can relax knowing your airfare and travel arrangements have expert financial backup in case of mishaps beyond your control. That allows you to better enjoy the memorable experience your travels should ultimately become.