Flight Cancellation and Delay

Why are Flights Delayed/Cancelled?

Travelling often comes with surprises, but they are not always good. Before you understand how to deal with flight delays or cancellations, you must first understand the reasons behind your flight-related issues. These are the most common reasons for flight delays and cancellations:

• Bad Weather: Flying is unsafe in case of dense fog, heavy rain or snowstorms
• Technical Snags: Unexpected issues during maintenance checks of the aircraft
• Operational Reasons: Air traffic control congestion or crew scheduling issues
• Strikes: In case there is an undeclared industrial action by the airline or staff at the airport

Understanding Flight Delay Compensation

When it comes to travel insurance, a delayed flight is not just an inconvenience. It's a crisis which requires necessary support. You can claim compensation in case of flight delays, given that you meet specific conditions:

Waiting Period

Most comprehensive travel insurance plans with flight coverage have a waiting period. This waiting period can range from 6 to 24 consecutive hours, depending on the insurer and benefits they offer.

For example, if your insurer covers flight delay after a waiting period of 12 hours, this means that your flight must be delayed for a minimum of 12 consecutive hours for you to claim benefits. If your flight was only delayed by 2 hours, then it won't trigger your compensation claim.

What You Can Claim

If your flight is delayed more than the waiting period stated in your policy, you can be covered for:

• Sustenance: Meals, refreshments, etc. will be reimbursed for reasonable expenses
• Accommodation: In case the flight is delayed overnight or longer than 12 hours, many insurers cover extra accommodation costs
• Additional Expenses: Some Indian insurers cover communication expenses (phone calls and internet fees) if you are stuck at an airport for over 12 hours

What Happens When a Flight is Cancelled?

Flight cancellation happens because of unavoidable circumstances like technical failures, natural disasters, or strikes. Compared to flight delays, a flight cancellation is more severe as it can force you to miss important pre-paid events, crucial meetings and more. Your travel insurance can cover you in the following ways:

1. Coverage for Non-Refundable Expenses

   Your international travel insurance plan will cover costs like tour bookings, pre-paid hotel expenses or even cruises that you booked in your destination country.

2. Coverage for Additional Travel

   In case your airline does not provide a suitable alternative, you can book a new flight, which may cost more than your cancelled flight. Your travel insurance can help cover the extra costs.

Missed Connecting Flight Because of a Delay

Missing your connecting flight because of an unexpected delay is any traveller's biggest nightmare. It can throw off your carefully planned itinerary, force you to book extra accommodation and new tickets that will cost you a lot. Thankfully, missed connections are also covered by most travel insurance policies.

How Travel Insurance Helps with Missed Connecting Flight

If you miss a connecting flight because of a delay in the first leg of your journey (the first/initial flight) then your trip insurance can reimburse you for the cost of catching up with your itinerary. This includes an overnight stay while waiting for the next alternative.

However, to get this benefit, you must ensure that both flights must be the part of your original itinerary. You can't claim compensation for a flight which was not booked together as one continuous journey. For example:

If you book a flight from Delhi to London with a layover in Dubai in one go, you will have the same PNR for both these flights. Missing your Dubai to London flight because your initial Delhi to Dubai flight was delayed, you can claim compensation. The insurer will see this as a single journey and cover you for missing a connecting flight.

But suppose you booked two flights (Airline X and Airline Y) separately because they were cheaper, then you will have two different PNRs. The insurer will view these as two independent trips. If Airline X is late, then Airline Y has no contractual obligation to wait for you or offer you a free rebooking. In such cases, most travel insurance policies will reject your claim for a missed connection.

How to Claim Compensation for a Delayed/Cancelled Flight

To get covered for a flight delay or flight cancellation, follow these steps:

1. Get Written Proof

   You must visit the airline counter and request a letter confirming the reason for your flight's delay or cancellation. In case of flight delays, it must also state the actual departure time.

2. Keep All Receipts

   To get reimbursed for your essential expenses, you need to provide all the original bills for your meals, water, or even accommodation that you paid out of pocket.

3. Keep Your Boarding Pass Safe

   In case of an alternative flight (for missed connections or cancelled flights) you must keep your original boarding pass safe, even if you get a new boarding pass.

4. Inform Your Insurer

   You must inform your insurer as soon as possible about your flight related situation. This can be within 24-48 hours.