How travel insurance can protect you from flight delays

Air travelers who expected things to go smoothly after the pandemic subsided have been sorely disappointed. recent Southwest Airlines Delays The latest in a string of delays plaguing the industry.

In 2022, Southwest Airlines flights were delayed about 26% of the time, according to Statistics. American Airlines, Delta and United Airlines didn’t fare much better, with delays ranging from about 16% to about 22%.

When your flight is delayed, you have enough to worry about. You can avoid adding financial stress to the list by purchasing Travel insurance.

Travel insurance cover A range of trip-related problems, from lost luggage to canceled flights. And depending on the insurance provider and plan, you may be entitled to travel delay coverage, which covers delay-related expenses like food, lodging and toiletries. Especially common with this type of coverage Comprehensive travel insurance.

In this article, we’ll explore how travel delay coverage can save you money if your flight is delayed.

Learn more about travel insurance here.

How travel insurance can protect you from flight delays

If you’re traveling by air anytime soon, here’s how travel insurance can save you money if your flight is delayed.

About one in four flights are delayed

According to Bureau of Transportation Statistics data, 21.66% of flights have been delayed so far in 2023. That’s about one in four. BTS classifies a delayed flight as any flight that arrives 15 minutes or more after the scheduled time.

It may not seem like much, but as anyone who has rushed from one end of the airport to the other to catch a connecting flight can tell you, even a few minutes of delay can seriously disrupt your trip, leading to a logistical nightmare. If your flight is delayed by hours, it will cost you. Travel insurance can save you hundreds (if not more). thousands of) in this case dollars.

Compare travel insurance options now to see how much coverage you can get.

Airline compensation policies may not cover you

Some airlines may reimburse you for costs incurred due to delays, but not all do. There is no law requiring airlines to compensate passengers whose flights are delayed. Even those who pay compensation may exclude delays due to weather or mechanical problems they consider beyond their control.

“People are used to not getting travel insurance because historically they didn’t need it,” travel agent and full-time traveler Veronica Hanson previously said. CBS News. “Their own experience has taught them over the years that insurance is a waste of money. If something goes wrong, the companies usually go ahead and make it right for the customer. It’s a completely different story these days. The infrequent traveler doesn’t understand the mess. These days the airline industry is .”

Delays can ruin the rest of your travel plans

A flight delay can quickly affect the rest of your trip.

“There’s no guarantee that a guaranteed seat on a plane will actually get you to your desired destination,” Hanson said. “A leg of your journey can be canceled without notice, which has a ripple effect. Hotels are sticking to their cancellation policies, which means travelers are paying for rooms they can’t get to due to delays or cancellations.”

With travel delay insurance, you can at least minimize your losses if a delay ruins your plans.

Ready to buy travel insurance? Get started by getting a customized price quote here.

Bottom line

Flight delays cause a whole host of headaches, from the logistics of rescheduling connecting flights to the cost of extra accommodation and meals. whether you fly Internationally or Domestically, travel insurance can at least help you with expenses if your flight is delayed. With travel already stressful enough, the peace of mind it brings can be worth it.