Mandy Sleight
Alyce Meserve
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
Heidi Gollub
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
BLUEPRINT
Published 12:35 p.m. UTC Aug. 20, 2024
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Travel insurance can provide multiple benefits, including travel delay coverage. “Trip delay coverage can reimburse you for expenses incurred if you are delayed for a covered reason on your way to your destination, during your trip or on your way home,” said Angela Borden, product specialist at travel insurance provider Seven Corners.
Air carrier mechanical issues, inclement weather, mandatory quarantines, natural disasters and unannounced strikes are common reasons you might get reimbursed by trip delay coverage, said Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com.
The amount you can receive for travel delays varies depending on the insurance policy, and a minimum delay time is required to be eligible for compensation. Generally, the coverage ranges from $100 to $300 daily, with a trip maximum ranging from $100 to $5,000. This benefit is applicable once the delay hits between three to 12 hours, contingent on the specifics of the travel insurance policy.
“For instance, the ExactCare plan from Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection offers up to $200 a day ($1,000 in total) for covered expenses when a delay extends beyond five hours,” mentioned Carol Mueller, the company’s vice president.
Lauren Gumport, who holds the position of vice president of communications and brand at Faye Travel Insurance, explained that their plans could cover up to $300 daily, or $4,500 per trip, if the delay is six hours or longer.
It is evident that the details and benefits of travel insurance policies differ greatly across different providers and policy tiers. Premium policies often feature shorter wait times for delays and offer higher maximum payouts than basic plans. By comparing different travel insurance options and providers, you can select the ideal policy that matches your needs for coverage and reimbursement for your prepaid, nonrefundable travel costs.
Many credit cards offer trip delay coverage as a benefit. However, the amount is usually lower than what a travel insurance policy covers. Most credit cards will only cover up to $500 per trip or ticket, and you must purchase your nonrefundable trip expenses using the same credit card to be eligible.
A credit card’s covered reason list may also be more restrictive than a travel insurance plan. Credit cards might require longer minimum delay time, and fewer covered delay reasons. Although having trip delay benefits on an eligible card is beneficial, it may not be sufficient to cover the extra costs you could face if your flight is delayed.
Although travel insurance plans vary, trip delay insurance typically helps with costs for accommodations, communications, meals, and local transportation. “Trip delay benefits can only reimburse you if the delay was triggered for a covered reason and if the delay lasted the minimum amount of time, both of which will be outlined in your plan,” Borden explains.
Imagine severe weather causing a five-hour delay, ultimately leading to your flight’s cancellation. The airline arranges another flight for you and your traveling companions, but it’s not until the next day. This results in additional expenses for lodging, meals, and transportation to and from the hotel.
Severe weather qualifies as a valid reason for delays under your travel insurance policy, which makes it eligible for coverage. If your travel is delayed due to severe weather, your trip delay insurance can assist by reimbursing costs incurred due to an unexpected overnight stay, within the limits of your policy coverage.
“Different policies and providers will have their own list of eligible reasons for delays. It’s crucial to review your policy thoroughly before making a purchase to ensure you understand what is and isn’t covered,” explains Suzanne Morrow, CEO of InsureMyTrip.
Expert tip: Keep in mind that trip delay insurance covers only reasonable additional expenses. Lavish spending, such as dining at upscale restaurants or choosing luxury hotels, might only be partially reimbursed or not covered at all.
Trip delay insurance provides coverage for specific delays experienced while traveling to your destination or on your way back home. Trip interruption insurance is another typical benefit found in travel insurance policies, offering help if you need to end your trip early and return home for a covered reason. This insurance reimburses for prepaid, non-refundable expenses lost due to cutting your trip short, including the cost of purchasing a new one-way economy-class ticket back home.
Here are some common reasons you might use your trip interruption benefits:
Via TravelInsurance.com’s website
Top-scoring plan
Worldwide Trip Protector
Covers COVID?
Yes
Medical & evacuation limits per person
$100,000/$1 million
Via TravelInsurance.com’s website
Top-scoring plan
Atlas Journey Preferred
Covers COVID?
Yes
Medical & evacuation limits per person
$100,000/$1 million
Via TravelInsurance.com’s website
Top-scoring plan
RoundTrip Basic
Covers COVID?
Yes
Medical & evacuation limits per person
$500,000/$1 million
If you experience a trip delay that exceeds the waiting period listed in your travel insurance policy, you should notify your insurer as soon as possible.
Document and provide essential details, like:
You’ll need to keep all receipts for any extra reasonable expenses, along with proof of delay from the carrier and your original travel schedule when making a claim.
Different insurance companies have varying procedures and requirements for claims, so it is useful to review these conditions before your trip.
If your journey is delayed either to your destination or returning home, trip delay insurance might cover additional costs like meals and accommodations. Typically, delays due to weather conditions, mechanical issues, or strikes from common carriers are covered. Your travel insurance may include a minimum delay time before coverage takes effect, along with daily and total reimbursement limits.
Should a delay like a flight cancellation due to extreme weather occur, you might qualify to file for trip delay compensation. The commencement of this coverage typically ranges from three to twelve consecutive hours, depending on your insurer and the particular terms of your policy.
Travelers with trip delay insurance can claim necessary expenses, such as lodging, food, and transportation, incurred due to a covered trip delay. For example, if winter weather causes a 15-hour flight delay, your trip delay benefits might cover expenses for a hotel stay, taxi fare to and from the airport, and meals purchased because of the delay.
Want to protect your next trip? What does travel insurance cover?
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Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The views, analyses, reviews, or recommendations stated in this content are solely those of the Blueprint editorial staff. Blueprint follows rigorous editorial integrity guidelines. Although the information is accurate as of the publish date, it is recommended to verify with the provider’s website for updated information.
Mandy Sleight
BLUEPRINT
Mandy is an insurance writer who has been creating online content since 2018. Before becoming a full-time freelance writer, Mandy spent 15 years working as an insurance agent. Her work has been published in Bankrate, MoneyGeek, The Insurance Bulletin, U.S. News and more.
Alyce Meserve
BLUEPRINT
Alyce Meserve is an experienced insurance, personal finance, and travel writer. Alyce is a licensed insurance professional in life, health, and property and casualty, and holds an Executive Certificate in Financial Planning from Duke University.
Heidi Gollub
BLUEPRINT
Heidi Gollub is the USA TODAY Blueprint managing editor of insurance. She has previously served as the lead editor of insurance at Forbes Advisor and directed the insurance team at U.S. News & World Report as assistant managing editor of 360 Reviews. Heidi holds an MBA from Emporia State University and is a licensed property and casualty insurance expert.
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