Does Travel Insurance Cover Cancelled Flights? What You Need to Know

Having​‍​‌‍​‍‌ the flight you booked cancelled in the blink of an eye can throw away your schedule and cost you money for hotels, tour packages, airport car, or even another flight. So, does travel insurance cover cancelled flights? At times, but it all hinges on why the flight was cancelled, what is covered by your insurance, and whether it was you or the airline who cancelled it.

Does Travel Insurance Cover Cancelled Flights?

In some cases, travel insurance policies include coverage of losses from a cancelled flight. What is crucial, however, is the reason behind the cancellation.

Policy terms generally restrict trip cancellation coverage to certain events only. So, if a listed covered event prevents you from taking your entire trip, the insurance may provide financial help. On the other hand, trip interruption coverage kicks in if a covered event occurs after the journey has already begun.

When it comes to a flight cancellation by an airline, things can vary a lot depending on what the airline is offering in terms of money refund, flight rebooking, or passenger support. In such cases, your travel insurance provider would most likely compensate you only for those costs that you were not reimbursed for by any other sources.

Therefore, before you believe the flight cancellation will get you the benefits, be sure to check the fine print of your insurer’s policy.

Can Travel Insurance Cover the Cost of a Cancelled Flight?

The cancellation of your flight would normally be covered by travel insurance only if it is the result of an insurance-covered event. Whether you’re entitled to a payout or not depends on the conditions laid down by your insurer.

Examples of situations which can be covered under a policy can be, but are not limited to:

• A serious illness or injury making travel impossible
• Death or serious illness of a family member who is listed as eligible by the insurer
• Very severe weather or other factors covered in the policy causing a trip interruption
• Natural disasters, which qualify under certain conditions as listed
• Special circumstances as mentioned in your policy

Each insurance company and coverage plan can come with entirely different rules. A plan from one insurer can include an event type which another plan might not, or exclude a type altogether.

Does Travel Insurance Cover an Airline Cancelling Your Flight?

One must be extra careful in explaining the situation.

A cancellation of your flight by an airline might require you to get in touch with that airline or your travel agent. In cases of the cancellation of the airline flight, the airline may give you either a refund, a rebooking, or other services depending on the terms of the airline ticket and passenger rights.

You can be protected from additional losses in some situations if your insurance policy includes the suitable provision for such coverage. Remember that you cannot assume that your insurance is going to pay the price difference even if the airline refunds your ticket fee.

For instance, an airline cancels a flight for you, and as a result, you get a refund from that airline. Then, you book another flight with a much higher fare. It is the insurance company’s policy and the reason for the cancellation that would probably decide whether they will cover the difference in cost.

Before proceeding with your claim, you may want to reach out to your insurance company if you are unsure which types of expenses are eligible.

Does Travel Insurance Cover a Cancelled Flight Due to Bad Weather?

Certain insurance policies cover travel delays and cancellations due to bad weather. The covered event must include the weather problem according to the policy, and there could be other requirements.

The type of weather may change the outcome of the claim. A short delay may not meet the requirement. On the other hand, the airline may be forced to close due to the severe storm, and your insurance policy may treat that differently.

The time aspect is another relevant factor. For instance, if the storm you are planning to get your insurance for was the subject of a forecast, then the insurer may apply an exclusion or limit of coverage.

Before you buy the insurance, review the events for which the insurance will be valid and the events from which the insurance will not give protection.

Does Travel Insurance Cover a Flight Cancelled Due to Illness?

If the reason for the cancellation is the illness of a passenger that is covered under the insurance you bought, then the answer is yes, it can.

For instance, the inability to travel due to a terminal illness that endangers your life may entitle you to an insurance cover for trip cancellation. A certificate of medical examination would have to be provided as proof of the condition.

The insurance company may specify the requirements related to pre-existing medical conditions for these types of claims. Therefore, you should disclose the exact details of your health when obtaining the insurance policy.

Your minor illness may not be considered sufficient reason for flight cancellation benefit. The insurance company’s decision is influenced by a close reading of the wording in the policy and supporting ​‍​‌‍​‍‌documents.

Is​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Travel Insurance Worth It for Flights?

Travel insurance might be worth it if you have a big-ticket, non-refundable trip.

Cancelled flights can lead to more expenses than just the ticket itself. You’d probably still have hotel reservations, tours, or even car rentals that can’t simply be returned.

Travel insurance can protect you if something happens and you end up not going on a tour because you don’t get on a flight you are taking. It will not eliminate all of the travel risks, though.

Do some planning first. How much would you be able to lose should the situation change suddenly? The amount would need to be matched by, or at least not significantly undercut, the coverage amount and your policy cost.

Related: Is Travel Insurance Worth It?

Final Answer: Does Travel Insurance Cover Cancelled Flights?

To sum, the answer to, does travel insurance normally include coverage for cancelled flights? Yes, though the coverage will vary depending on the reason for cancellation and your policy terms.

First, reach out to the airline if the airline cancels your flight and see what you may get in a refund or how it is rebooked. Also, your travel insurance policy may provide some compensation for any remaining losses if the event is covered and your insurance policy includes the proper benefit. However, this is conditional and dependent on the event’s occurrence.

There are different categories such as trip cancellation, trip interruption, and travel delay, and each of these can feature different conditions and coverage limits. A policy can provide cover for a serious illness or a severe weather event but also exclude the normal changes to the airline schedule. You should review the cancellation clause of a travel insurance policy before you embark on your trip.

Are you ready to check your insurance choices? Go to Insurancheck for more information to get the right travel insurance for ​‍​‌‍​‍‌you.