Flight Canceled By Winter Storm? How To Benefit From Travel Insurance

On Sunday, flight cancellations in the US reached numbers not seen since the Covid-19 pandemic. Nearly 9,000 departures were scrapped, according to data from Cirium, an aviation analytics firm, as a brutal winter storm swept the country. Disruption has not been this widespread since April 1, 2020, when 9,987 departures were grounded as the first wave of pandemic lockdowns shut down the country.

Major airports in the northeast were among the worst affected. LaGuardia Airport in New York closed Sunday afternoon. It has now reopened, but most flights remain canceled on Monday. An alert on its website warns travelers that “significant travel impacts are expected.” It advises passengers: “Check your flight status regularly with your airline before heading to the airport.”

Philadelphia saw 94% of flights canceled on Sunday, while New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport had 466 flights grounded, about 80% of services, according to tracking website FlightAware. Airports serving Washington, Chicago, Dallas, and Atlanta have also seen significant disruption.

With air transport crippled, hundreds of thousands of travelers are stranded across the US, and many more will be affected in the coming days as domino-effect delays impact travel plans. Here’s what you need to know about passenger rights and travel insurance if you have been affected.

What are my passenger rights if my flight was canceled by the winter storm?

If your flight was canceled by the winter storm, most airlines should rebook you on the next available service to your final destination. However, they aren’t required to put you on a flight managed by another carrier, so, given the weather circumstances, the next possible options may be days away.

In this case, or if you decide you no longer want to take the trip or have found an alternative way to reach your destination, the airline is required by law to issue you a refund—even for a non-refundable ticket. You will also be reimbursed for any bag charges, seat fees or other extras you were not able to use.

In the US, airlines are not, however, obliged to provide stranded passengers with assistance, including meals, accommodation or compensation, when disruption is caused by weather events beyond their control.

What to know about travel insurance if your flight was canceled by the storm

Many affected passengers will now be looking to travel insurance for assistance and compensation. Here’s what Squaremouth, a leading travel insurance comparison site, wants travelers to know about coverage and winter storms.

Can I cancel my trip due to a winter storm or blizzard?

You might be covered if your travel is significantly impacted and you bought travel insurance before the storm was named. However, you would not be covered to cancel because a storm might impact your destination or travel. Trip Cancellation is triggered by at least one of these specific events, which vary by policy:

1. A flight or cruise delay of at least 12-48 hours due to a winter storm or blizzard

1. A winter storm renders your hotel or accommodation uninhabitable
2. A mandatory evacuation was ordered due to the winter storm (restrictions do apply)

To cancel your trip due to severe winter weather, without meeting coverage requirements, consider a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) policy. This benefit would allow you to cancel for any reason not covered by traditional cancellation policies.

How long do I need to be delayed until coverage is triggered?

Typically, 3-12 hours, depending on the policy. To be covered under the Travel Delay benefit, your delay must be for a covered reason as outlined in your policy, such as a mechanical breakdown of a common carrier or inclement weather.

Missed Connection coverage might also cover additional costs incurred if you missed a connection flight due to inclement weather, such as meals or accommodations. Typically, this coverage requires a 3-12 hour delay. If you are delayed for over 12 hours, you may be covered to cancel your trip entirely.

What do I do if my flight is delayed or canceled due to a snow storm?

Call your provider’s 24-Hour Emergency Assistance department. They can explain the types of protections available and help you find a solution. Typically, with weather delays, you may receive coverage through Trip Cancellation, Travel Delay, or Missed Connection benefits.

To be eligible, your policy must have been bought before the storm was named. With Trip Cancellation, most policies require a complete cessation of your common carrier for a certain length of time; typically, 12-48 hours. Travel Delay and Missed Connection benefits typically require a 3-12 hour delay.

If delayed, keep all documentation that can help with filing a claim, including receipts for meals and accommodations, proof from your airline of the delay and the reason, and an updated itinerary showing the length of the delay.

When is a winter storm considered a foreseen event by travel insurance?

For many policies, once the storm is named. However, winter storms can also be considered foreseen once announced and are forecast to impact travel on weatherchannel.com. If you want to buy a policy because you know a storm will impact your travel, it may be too late. This is why travelers are recommend to add CFAR coverage.

Is my flight covered if I can’t drive to the airport due to snow and ice?

Possibly. Some policies include specific wording about weather-related trip delays caused by road closures. These policies are ideal for road trips or if you are driving to your destination. However, these policies typically require proof of a government-mandated road closure. Not driving to the airport due to road conditions alone is not covered. Additionally, this scenario is most commonly covered as a Travel Delay benefit, not Trip Cancellation.