Flight Insurance

I have spent weeks looking at and comparing itinerary options for your trip. You have finally determined the best course and are ready to book. But before you check-out, your airline offers you the option of adding flight insurance. You deserve it

Before adding any flight insurance to your reservation, here are some things worth considering.

What is Flight insurance?

Flight insurance is designed to protect only the cost of your flight, not all prepaid and non-refundable flight expenses. Generally speaking, if an issue covered by your airline's insurance policy derails your travel plans, you can only receive compensation for non-refundable flight costs. Policies can range from providing simple refunds to covering lost or damaged luggage.

Here are some common problems that aviation insurance generally covers:

Bad weather conditions, such as storms and snowfall, cause the cancellation of flights.
Unexpected flight delays resulting in loss of connection, such as equipment failure.
A detour in the middle of the trip forces you to arrive at another airport.
An unexpected injury or illness before leaving.
A terrorist event is near the city you are traveling to.

While airline insurance policies can vary by plan type and insurance company, there are some common benefits that can be included in airline insurance plans:

Flight delay coverage: You will be paid up to a certain amount if your flight is delayed for the amount of time specified in the policy. For example, we have reviewed the Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection policy that pays $ 50 "hassle charges" if your flight is delayed for at least 120 consecutive minutes.
Trip interruption or cancellation coverage: If you need to cancel a trip or return home early due to a policy-covered issue, this coverage reimburses you for non-refundable prepaid travel expenses.
Lost or Delayed Baggage Coverage: This coverage reimburses you for lost or delayed baggage, up to your policy limit. For example, Travelex Insurance Services' Flight Insure Plus plan offers coverage of up to $ 1,000 for luggage and personal belongings.
Travel Assistance - These benefits help you rebook your itinerary or make other travel arrangements.

What does Flight insurance not cover?

Airlines that offer basic Flight insurance plans generally lack certain types of coverage that you could get with a comprehensive travel insurance policy. Comprehensive travel insurance policies have more robust coverage options that can include:

Emergency Medical and Dental Coverage - This coverage reimburses for medical or dental costs for injuries and illnesses covered by the policy while traveling.
Emergency medical transport coverage: compensation and processing of necessary medical transport after an accident or illness covered by the policy.
Missed Connection Coverage: reimburses you for costs incurred as a result of the loss of a flight, cruise, or other means of transportation due to an unexpected event covered by the policy.

When your travel plans fail, some of these benefits can be beneficial. For example, suppose you are in Bogotá, Colombia, and you have been exposed to food poisoning that needs medical attention. If you buy a comprehensive travel insurance plan, emergency medical coverage can help pay for some of the costs that your overseas health insurance provider will not cover (up to the plan limits).

Examples of Flight insurance

You can generally purchase an flight insurance plan through the airline or a third-party travel insurance company. Each policy can vary greatly, so it is important to read the essential details before purchasing.

For example, Allegiant offers flight insurance called Trip Flex. With Trip Flex, travelers can change flight routes and postpone their flights up to 24 hours before departure at no additional charge. You can also cancel the itinerary portion of the flight ticket up to one hour before departure.

But look at the fine print. If you do not cancel the entire itinerary within 72 hours of your departure, it will be non-refundable, meaning that you will not receive compensation for the remaining elements of the package, such as hotels, activities, and car rentals. Trip Flex also has other restrictions, such as promotions and special sales for flights and vacation travel dates.

Delta, on the other hand, offers a more comprehensive flight insurance plan through a partnership with Allianz Travel. This policy includes benefits such as coverage for flight interruption, flight delay, and baggage coverage.

Third party travel insurance companies will have different levels of coverage. For example, Travelex Insurance offers an aviation insurance protection plan in addition to an additional aviation insurance plan. While the Protection Plus Plan provides special coverage for air accidents, flight delay coverage, and travel assistance services, Flight Insurer Plus includes flight accident benefits, as well as additional benefits such as post-departure benefits, such as evacuation coverage. medical.

With so many variations in plan coverage and benefit options, it's smart to compare the terms and conditions of each plan before purchasing one. Although the easiest option may be to purchase a plan through your airline, it is often worth exploring the insurance policies of other airlines before booking.

Also, if you have purchased other travel accommodations, such as a hotel, cruise, or excursion, you may need a more comprehensive travel insurance plan that protects all of your financial interests invested in the trip.

Do i need Flight insurance?

With a number of things that can go wrong during a trip, some form of travel insurance is worth considering. Deciding which insurance option is right for you depends on the type of coverage you need, your budget, and the complexity of your travel plans.

For example, suppose you are traveling locally to visit a friend at a known destination. In this case, the airline's basic insurance plan can provide adequate coverage.

On the other hand, if you are planning a trip with multiple destinations for life, you should consider a comprehensive travel insurance plan, as more can go wrong. For example, you may want to lose luggage and emergency medical coverage, which is generally not included in your basic airline insurance plan.

"If your trip is a large financial investment, then it is important to purchase a travel insurance policy that protects all of your non-refundable travel expenses, not just the cost of the trip," says Pekah Ripley, Director of Operations and Marketing for Yonder Travel. Insurance. She adds that it's helpful to compare your travel insurance options with a third-party insurance company to find a plan that suits your needs at an affordable price.

Before you buy an flight insurance policy, you should also review your credit card benefits to see if you already have any type of aviation insurance. Some credit card companies offer protection if you book the trip with your credit card. You don't want to buy additional airline insurance coverage if you don't have to. For example, as a member of the American Express Platinum Card®, you will have basic coverage for flight cancellation and interruption, flight delays and baggage coverage.