Trip Delay Insurance

Author: Melissa A.

Published: April 3rd, 2023 | Updated: April 3rd, 2023
Read time: 7 mins

What is trip delay insurance?

Trip delay insurance offers protection when your travel plans have been delayed for a covered reason outlined in your travel insurance policy. For example, when your flight departs or arrives later than initially scheduled, travel delay insurance can reimburse you for your lost, prepaid trip expenses and any additional expenses you incur associated with the delay. Trip delay coverage is a benefit in trip cancellation and interruption insurance and all-inclusive plans. It can protect you from unexpected pauses in your trip, whether travelling by plane, train, boat, or long-distance bus. It is a separate benefit from trip interruption coverage, which covers you when your trip is unexpectedly cut short. When you compare plans online through InsureMyTrip, read coverage details closely because not all Canadian providers offer travel insurance with delay coverage.

How does travel delay insurance work?

Travel delay insurance is designed to reimburse payment for your lost, prepaid trip expenses and any additional expenses you incur associated with the delay up to a limit indicated in your policy. For an event to be considered a delay, it must last for a minimum amount of time and be due to a covered reason stated in your policy. Ensure you keep all your travel receipts and copies of your credit card statements because you must submit those items to make a claim.

What does trip delay insurance cover?

Trip delay insurance typically provides compensation for meals, accommodations, toiletries, transportation, and communications up to a limit indicated in your policy during your trip delay. It can also cover costs for schedule changes resulting in unused portions of your prepaid trip or cover costs to get you caught up to your trip because of the schedule change.

Does travel insurance cover weather delays?

Yes, travel insurance can cover delays caused by unforeseen weather conditions, such as adverse weather or natural disasters, subject to the terms and conditions of a plan. However, once a travel advisory has been issued, or a storm has been named, travel insurance will not provide coverage for claims related to that event. Suppose you are travelling to a destination during a season of storms, wildfires, hurricanes, or other natural disasters. In that case, you should compare and carefully review plans to see what events will be covered by purchasing travel insurance.

Does travel insurance cover delayed baggage?

Yes, travel insurance can cover baggage delays if your checked luggage doesn’t arrive at your destination with you. Sometimes during air travel, it so happens that your checked baggage doesn’t board the plane with you, which could be due to bad weather, transfer mishandling, loading mistakes, or improper tagging. Baggage loss and baggage delay are benefits commonly found in baggage insurance, all-inclusive insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance and non-medical package plans. Dependent on the plan, the baggage delay benefit can reimburse you if you need to buy essential personal items while your bag is en route. Read your policy closely to determine the minimum time required before baggage delay coverage is effective and the maximum reimbursement amount. Coverage is typically secondary, meaning the benefits will come into effect following the airline carrier’s reimbursement.

Does travel insurance cover delayed flights?

Yes, travel insurance covers delayed flights due to unexpected events specified in a policy. The flight delay benefit is included in flight insurance (commonly known as trip cancellation and interruption insurance) and all-inclusive insurance. When you experience a flight delay and face unexpected expenses, you should speak with the airline carrier first to determine if any refunds or credits are available. Suppose your flight(s) was purchased on your credit card. In that case, you should check with your credit card provider to see if you have trip cancellation and interruption insurance coverage with your card and if you are eligible for any refunds or credits through these benefits. Ensure you have collected all documentation such as your flight confirmation, boarding pass, receipts, including any expenses incurred because of the flight delay, credit card statement, and a statement from the airline carrier confirming the delay so you can speak with your travel insurance provider for reimbursement. Trip cancellation and interruption insurance typically act as the secondary payer meaning that the benefits will come into effect following the airline’s repayment, subject to terms and conditions outlined in your policy. Before you travel, it is essential to review the details of your insurance policy so that you know the amount of time that needs to pass before you can make a claim and understand your daily spending limits related to your flight delay.

Does travel insurance cover missed connections?

Yes, travel insurance covers missed connections when a carrier delay causes you to miss a connecting flight, cruise, or another transportation connection for a covered reason in your policy. Perhaps you experience an unexpected flight delay resulting in a missed connection because of inclement weather, aircraft mechanical problems or flight overbooking, or you encounter an accident on your way to the airport. Missed connection insurance coverage can help you catch up to your trip itinerary and reimburse you for transportation expenses and the unused prepaid portion of your trip. For example, it can cover the costs of changing your travel plans, whether rescheduling your flight or booking an entirely new one. Missed connection insurance coverage is typically included in a trip cancellation and interruption insurance plan, an all-inclusive plan or can be purchased as add-on coverage. Missed connection insurance coverage is recommended, mainly if your travel plans include multiple flights or flights combined with a cruise.

Does travel insurance cover passport or visa delay?

Failure to obtain your passport or visa for countries that require one before leaving Canada for your international trip is not covered by trip cancellation and interruption insurance or all-inclusive insurance; therefore, it is recommended that you finalize your travel plans once you have your passport and visa(s). Before departing overseas, check the Government of Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories for passport and visa entry and exit requirements for various destinations and ensure you meet them. Suppose you have concerns about not receiving your passport or visa(s) in time for your planned trip. In that case, you can purchase Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage within a specific timeframe after making trip reservations. Cancel for Any Reason coverage is typically an add-on. It allows you to cancel your trip within a particular timeframe before departure for reasons not covered by your policy. It can provide reimbursement for most of your nonrefundable, prepaid trip costs. To understand your coverage, verify your insurance plan’s terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and requirements before you leave Canada.

Is there trip delay insurance that covers COVID-19?

If COVID-19 is your travel concern, it’s vital to research plans carefully and select one with COVID-19 coverage. The best COVID-19 travel insurance plans include the following benefits: travel medical and emergency medical evacuation, trip cancellation, interruption and delay, and Cancel for Any Reason. An all-inclusive plan is the most comprehensive as it covers most COVID-19-related concerns. Before departing on your trip, check the Government of Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories to find out if an “avoid all travel advisory” is issued for your destination. If so, coverage for COVID-19-related matters may not be available under any plan except a COVID-19 pandemic plan which might provide coverage.