Can You Claim Travel Insurance for a Missed Flight?

Posted on: Aug 25, 2022 | | Written by:

Can You Claim Travel Insurance for a Missed Flight?

So, you missed your flight—every traveller's worst fear. However, sometimes even the best preparedness is insufficient to prevent planes from being missed. Take a deep breath and continue reading if you're suffering nausea and worry that comes with understanding your aircraft has gone without you.

Suppose you cannot board a flight due to overbooking. In that case, the airline is responsible for booking you on the next available flight and providing you with lodgings and food if that departure is not until the following morning. In fact, according to the new rules of the (DGCA) Directorate General of Civil Aviation, if you have been denied boarding a flight for overbooking and have not been rescheduled for another flight within one hour, then you are eligible for a claim upto Rs 20,000.

Also, suppose you happen to miss a connection owing to an airline's delay, such as technical glitches, etc.. In that case, the airline needs to rebook you on the next available flight and provide you with food and accommodation, if necessary, till then. However, things become a little more complicated if you miss your flight due to personal reasons such as a flat tyre, a family emergency, or oversleeping. Here's everything you need to know if you miss your flight, from rebooking to international travel insurance coverage.

What is Considered to be a “Missed Flight”?

When you miss a planned flight due to unforeseen circumstances, this is referred to as a missed departure in travel insurance jargon. It may happen at any moment, whether incoming or outgoing. It may happen for various causes, but only a handful is recognized as legitimate for compensation. Some international travel insurance plans do cover “missed flight” but only for valid and legitimate reasons.

For example, missing your flight due to a strike, an accident, interruption of public transportation, technical failure of your automobile, death of a close relative, and so on are all legitimate causes, according to most insurers. Similarly, missing your flight because you overslept or misread the time is not an acceptable excuse, and compensation may not be available.

Also, a very common reason for missing flights is delay in connecting flights. So travel insurance plans surely cover this reason, under the specified terms and conditions. In fact, in such cases, the insurer and the airlines would like to accommodate you on the next flight rather than providing compensation!

What Happens When You Actually Miss Your Flight?

In case you actually happen to miss your flight, there could be two distinct possibilities: either you have done your check-in and are stuck with security check-in or are on your way to the boarding gate, or you are delayed and haven’t yet reached the airport. Now, in case you have gone through the security check already, the flight might be announcing your name to expedite the boarding process. However, you can also contact ground staff so that you do not have to stand in a queue. Since they are not authorized to halt or delay the flight without prior approval, they might be assisting you in boarding the flight as quickly as possible. However, if you have not checked in or not done your security check, then it is a sure case of a no-show. In either case, you would not be allowed to board the flight, and you might be escorted out of the premises. In either case, you have two options: give up and go home and rebook yourself another ticket, or contact your airline to see what they can do to get you on the flight.

Do You Get a Refund for Missing Your Flight?

No, not if it is not the airline’s fault! If you happen to miss your flight and decide not to travel, you will not reimburse for the unused portion of your ticket. The only way an airline will repay you is if your flight is cancelled or you managed to cancel the flight beforehand with anticipation of missing it!

Some airlines, however, do follow a different strategy. There are various procedures for processing a refund. So, if you have missed your flight, you need to be patient. Ideally, you should expect an immediate refund, especially if you paid in cash or within seven days if you paid by credit card and from the travel agency if you booked via one. However, the truth is far from ideal. Since there are many pending cases for refund, the claim could also take much longer for a response. However, if you happen to file a claim for a refund in case you have missed your flight, remember to check with your airline or OTA for estimated timescales.

Does Travel Insurance Cover If You Miss a Connecting Flight?

Travelling via connecting flights may be time-consuming, and if you are on a fixed departure schedule, missing one might raise your travel expenses and upset plans. Flight delays are unavoidable, but with missed connection international travel insurance coverage, you can easily claim compensation for the extra transportation expenses. This sort of travel insurance covers not just connecting flights but also cruise ships, ferries, and railroads.

Terms & Conditions for Claiming a Missed Connecting Flight for International Travel:

1. When your first international outbound travel is delayed by at least 3 hours and the delay is verified as a 'common carrier delay,'

2. In the case of a natural disaster or extreme weather,

3. If a traffic accident caused a delay in reaching the place of departure,

4. In the event of a terrorist attack or an aircraft hijacking,

5. If your connecting flight is missed due to a delay on the previous trip or if you were quarantined.

How to Claim for a Missed Flight?

Suppose you claim for a missed or cancelled flight, only if the delay is usually more than 3 hours. However, each International Travel Insurance plan specifies the terms and conditions for claiming a travel insurance plan, which you need to read carefully before opting for the same.

However, certain documents are needed for claiming a missed flight, such as

1. Original unused travel documents

2. Reason and justification for the delay- Accidental report in case of an accident, etc.

3. Flight delay or cancellation should be solely on the airline’s part.

In these cases, the Certificate of Insurance needs to be provided for the total aggregate claim as per the limits specified in the policy document.

Wrapping Up

Always attempt to keep things in context. Yes, missing a flight is a significant inconvenience. However, it is not the end of the world. And what if your new flight isn't scheduled to depart for another day or two? Then you'll have more time to go exploring. Is it such a horrible thing to be stranded in Bali or Madrid? Travel is all about adventure, and that includes both the route and the destination.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.-

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