What Does Trip Delay Insurance Cover?

Key points

• Travel delay coverage offers benefits for accommodations, communications, local transportation and meals when your trip is delayed for a covered reason.
• The required time before travel delay insurance kicks in will vary by policy, but it is usually between three and 12 consecutive hours.
• The typical travel delay coverage benefit ranges from $100 to $300 daily with a maximum limit of $100 to $5,000.

How does trip delay insurance work? 

Travel insurance can provide multiple benefits, including travel delay coverage. “Trip delay coverage can reimburse you for expenses incurred if you are delayed for a covered reason on your way to your destination, during your trip or on your way home,” said Angela Borden, product specialist at travel insurance provider Seven Corners.

Air carrier mechanical issues, inclement weather, mandatory quarantines, natural disasters and unannounced strikes are common reasons you might get reimbursed by trip delay coverage, said Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com.

The travel delay benefit amount will vary by insurance policy, and you must be delayed for a minimum number of hours to qualify. Coverage is typically between $100 and $300 per day, up to a maximum per trip of $100 to $5,000. It will kick in after you are delayed between three and 12 consecutive hours, depending on your travel insurance plan. 

“For example, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection’s ExactCare plan will provide up to $200 a day ($1,000 maximum) reimbursement for qualified expenses when a trip is delayed five or more hours,” said Carol Mueller, vice president of Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection.

Lauren Gumport, vice president of communications and brand at Faye Travel Insurance said a Faye plan may reimburse up to $300 per day, or $4,500 per trip, after a delay of six hours or more.

As you can see, the features of a specific insurance policy will vary by provider and level of coverage. Premium plans typically have shorter delay waiting periods with higher reimbursement maximums than economy plans. Comparing travel insurance plans and providers can help you find the best travel insurance policy with the types of coverage and levels of compensation you need to cover your prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses.

Does trip delay insurance differ from trip delay benefits on a credit card?

Many credit cards offer trip delay coverage as a benefit. However, the amount is usually lower than what a travel insurance policy covers. Most credit cards will only cover up to $500 per trip or ticket, and you must purchase your nonrefundable trip expenses using the same credit card to be eligible.

A credit card’s covered reason list may also be more restrictive than a travel insurance plan. Credit cards might require longer minimum delay time and fewer covered delay reasons. Although having trip delay benefits on an eligible card is nice, it may not be enough to cover the additional expenses you incur if you experience a flight delay.

What does trip delay insurance cover?

Although travel insurance plans vary in what they cover, trip delay insurance typically covers accommodations, communications, meals and local transportation. “Trip delay benefits can only reimburse you if the delay was triggered for a covered reason and if the delay was for the required length of time, both of which will be outlined in your plan,” said Borden.

Let’s say severe weather delays your flight for five hours and ultimately cancels it. The airline can get you and your traveling companions on another flight, but the next available flight isn’t until the following day. Now, you have additional costs for a hotel room, meals and a cab to and from the hotel. 

Because severe weather is listed as an acceptable reason in your travel insurance policy, making it a covered delay, your trip delay insurance can help. You’ll file a claim for reimbursement of the money you spent on your unplanned overnight stay up to the coverage limits. 

“Every policy and provider are different and will have a list of what is a covered reason for a delay. It is important to read through your policy before purchasing it — to be sure you know what is and is not covered,” said Suzanne Morrow, chief executive officer of InsureMyTrip.

Expert tip: It’s important to note that trip delay insurance only covers reasonable additional expenses. So if you go to a high-end, expensive restaurant and stay at the most expensive hotel, you may only get partial reimbursement or none at all.

Trip delay vs. trip interruption insurance

Trip delay insurance covers certain delays that occur while traveling to your destination or while returning home at the end of your trip. Trip interruption insurance is another common benefit included in travel insurance policies that can help if you have to cut your trip short to return home early for a covered reason. This coverage can reimburse you for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses you lose by ending your trip early, plus the additional cost of a new, one-way, economy ticket home. 

Here are some common reasons you might use your trip interruption benefits:

• You or your traveling companion get sick or injured while traveling and can’t complete your trip.
• Severe weather causes your destination accommodations or home to become uninhabitable. 
• A death in the family causes you to cancel mid-trip and return home.

How to file a trip delay insurance claim

If you experience a trip delay that exceeds the waiting period listed in your travel insurance policy, you should notify your insurer as soon as possible. 

Document and provide essential details, like:

• Names of airline representatives you spoke to.
• What they said and when/where you talked with them.
• The reason for the delay.
• Efforts you took to continue your trip, such as accepting an alternative itinerary. 

You’ll also need receipts for the additional reasonable expenses, proof of delay from the airline and the original itinerary.

Each insurance company may have a different process and conditions for filing claims, so it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the requirements before you leave.

Trip delay insurance FAQs