Important Things to Know About a Flight Delay Insurance

Whether you are on a business trip or a vacation, waiting for a delayed flight is the last thing you can wish for. Also, a delayed start to a planned trip can spoil the fun even before the journey starts!

But did you know you can avail certain benefits from the airline authority for unfortunate hiccups, such as flight delays? Moreover, getting a Flight delay insurance can save you from going out of budget due to unexpected flight delay. 

But what are the reasons for a flight delay? Let’s take a look..

Top 4 Reasons For a Flight Delay

Knowing the reason for flight delay is your right, and the airline authority is entitled to inform you why your flight is delayed. Usually, a flight is delayed because of one of the following reasons:

• Delayed landing due to airline security issues.
• Delay due to unprecedented weather change.
• Delay due to technical issues.
• Delay due to unpunctual schedule of the aircraft.

When Can You Claim Flight Delay Insurance Benefit?

According to the DGCA, you shall be entitled to compensation from the airline authority if your flight gets delayed. A few scenarios are mentioned below when the airline authority should provide benefits such as refreshments or refunds.

• In case of a delay of 1-2 hours, the air service shall provide you with refreshments free of cost.
• In case of a flight delay of 3 to 5 hours, the airline authority must provide passengers with free meals mandatorily.
• In case of a delay of more than 6 hours, the airline service has to inform the passengers at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure.
• Given a delay of more than 6 hours, the airline should provide an option of taking an alternate flight or a complete refund to the passengers.

However, you must note that if the reason for the delay is not under the flight operator’s control, the airline service shall not compensate you for the same. Some reasons where the airline is not entitled to provide you with any benefits are:

• If the flight is delayed because of natural calamities.
• If the delay is caused due to riots or wars.
• If the delay is because of political instability.
• If the flight is delayed due to security reasons.

Simply put, if the flight is delayed because of reasons out of the control of the flight operator, the airline shall not be liable to compensate you. But this does not mean you will have to derail your finances even before the trip starts! Your overseas travel insurance can come to your rescue. 

What is a Flight Delay Benefit in Travel Insurance?

The good news is that you can get adequate compensation for your flight/trip delay under ‘Explore- The Travel Insurance’ by Care Health Insurance. The policy offers compensation of up to a specified limit for the losses incurred due to a flight delayed for more than four hours. 

A flight delay benefit is especially important if you travel long distances and have to change flights before reaching the destination. Here are a few scenarios when travel insurance by Care Insurance shall compensate you for a flight delay of more than four hours: 

• Delay of flight due to natural calamities such as storms, floods, etc.
• Delay of flight due to terror attacks or war
• Delay of flight due to a sudden strike or political issues
• Delay of flight due to the fault of crew members etc. 
• Or any delay caused that is beyond your control.

Please note that your insurance policy shall not be eligible to compensate any losses informed to you at least six hours before the scheduled departure of the flight.

Summing It Up

Hiccups such as flight or trip delays can cause losses beyond financial ones. Suppose you are travelling from India to Canada via Amsterdam. You take a connecting flight with a four hours gap between the two flights. Unfortunately, the trip gets delayed by four hours due to severe weather conditions. In such a condition, you may miss the next flight that is running on time. 

Although the loss of time can not be compensated, your travel insurance for Canada by Care Health Insurance shall cover you for the financial losses as per your eligibility and the sum insured. All you have to do is, buy travel insurance beforehand and read the policy details carefully. Thus, to ensure you have a buddy in a stressful situation, you should buy the right travel insurance plan today.

Disclaimer: The information mentioned above is for reference purposes only; please refer to the policy document for any queries.