Traveling, whether domestically or internationally, can be a memorable adventure. With so many sights to see and cultures to experience, the allure of travel is undeniable.
Unfortunately, sometimes our trip plans don’t go quite as we expect them to. Flight cancellation is one of the biggest frustrations a traveler can face. Luckily, if you need to cancel your trip and have trip insurance, you can get reimbursed for your nonrefundable flight tickets.
What Is Flight Cancellation Insurance?
Flight cancellation insurance is a benefit of trip insurance that offers travelers financial protection if their trip has to be canceled or interrupted for a covered reason and their flight costs were nonrefundable. Flight cancellation insurance is coverage that decreases financial risks by insuring your prepaid and non-refundable costs in the event your flight is canceled.
Whether you have to cancel your flight for a covered reason or you're dealing with the financial fallout of an airline canceled flight, flight cancellation insurance may be able to help. If an airline cancels a flight, they’re responsible for refunding or crediting passengers. This includes assisting passengers who may have missed a connecting flight due to the airline-caused cancellation.
However, if the airline does not cover costs, or if you have to cancel your trip for a covered reason, flight cancellation insurance may be able to help reimburse you for nonrefundable trip expenses.
Why Do I Need Flight Cancellation Insurance?
There could be several reasons that can cause a flight cancellation, such as unfavorable and unsafe weather, mechanical problems, insufficient staff, technical issues, aircraft unavailability, etc. While travelers have no control on any of these, abandoning your travel plans can be frustrating. But the frustration is doubled when you think about all the activities you’ll miss out on and all the nonrefundable expenses you’ve already made towards those plans, such as hotel bookings, conference, missing connecting flight etc.
While you don't control flight cancellation, if you have ways to mitigate your risk of losing your investment that you made towards any dependency activities and you get refunded for the losses, that's what trip insurance can offer you in such an event.
Additionally, flight cancellation insurance can also cover your trip's nonrefundable costs if you personally have to cancel or interrupt your trip due to a covered reason under your trip insurance's policy, such as the death of a loved one.
Does Travel Insurance Cover Canceled Flights?
Travel insurance can offer coverage for canceled flights for certain eligible reasons. Here are the main benefits flight cancellation insurance as a benefit of travel insurance can offer:
- Financial reimbursement if you have to cancel your flight for a covered reason under your trip insurance policy
- Financial assistance if an airline does not cover costs associated with carrier-caused cancellation
How Much Does Flight Cancellation Insurance Cost?
Flight cancellation coverage is one of the many benefits of most trip insurance plans. The cost of trip insurance will vary, depending on certain factors like your destination, length of trip, and the total cost of your nonrefundable and prepaid trip expenses.
To get an idea of how much your trip insurance may cost, it is best to get a quote with your specific trip details and expenses through VisitorsCoverage. When planning and investing in a once-in-a-lifetime trip, paying an extra hundred dollars to minimize the chance of major financial loss is worth the peace of mind.
Best Insurance for Flight Cancellation
These trip insurance plans are great options for travelers that offer coverage for flight cancellation.
Protect Your Trip Investment With Travel Insurance
While there aren’t currently trip insurance plans that will cover a flight-only cancellation, there are plans that will make it easier for you to get financial reimbursement for nonrefundable flight tickets when your entire trip is canceled. If you just have standard trip insurance, your trip must be canceled for a covered reason such as unexpected illness or job loss. However, if you have trip insurance with a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) option, you can cancel your trip and get reimbursed for your nonrefundable flight for literally any reason.
While no traveler wants to deal with canceled flights, it’s an unfortunate reality that we’re all likely to face at some point in our travels. While carrier-caused flight cancellation refunds and credits are the responsibility of the airline, trip insurance can protect you financially if you have to cancel your trip, and therefore, your flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does flight cancellation insurance cover?
Flight cancellation insurance as a benefit of trip insurance can cover the cost of your nonrefundable flight cost in the event of a cancellation or interruption for a covered reason.
Can I cancel a flight if I have travel insurance?
You may be able to cancel your flight and receive reimbursement if you have travel insurance if you are canceling for a reason covered under your trip insurance policy.
How does flight cancellation insurance work?
When you purchase your travel insurance plan, you will insure any trip expenses that are prepaid and nonrefundable, which can include your flight if applicable. If your flight is canceled or interrupted for a covered reason, you can file for reimbursement.
What is considered a covered reason for trip cancellation?
Covered reasons for canceling your trip will vary from plan to plan. Some common examples include the death of a family member, theft of travel documents, mechanical breakdown of the common carrier, natural disasters, jury duty, and more.
