Does travel insurance cover cancelled flights?

Does travel insurance cover costs caused by cancelled flights? We recently had our flight cancelled just ahead of takeoff due to a technical problem. The airline put us up in a hotel but we spent a lot on food and other costs while waiting for our provisional flight. Can we claim the costs from our travel insurance?

Hi there,

Whether or not you can file an insurance claim for your unexpected expenses depends on what type of travel insurance you have.

Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance normally only covers incidents for which the common carrier (the airline, for example) is not responsible. This insurance typically covers the cost of bookings which you are forced to cancel due to illness, death, and various other hazards. Cost resulting from cancellations or delays for which the airline is responsible may, within limits, be covered by the airline in accordance with airline passenger rights. However, airlines are not generally required to cover incidental costs incurred due to delayed or cancelled flights.

Trip delay insurance covers unexpected expenses resulting from the delay or cancellation of a flight (or other common carrier transportation), up to certain limits. Covered costs typically include food and drinks, though some policies extend coverage to cover other expenses as well. You will normally be required to provide receipts for covered expenses along with proof of the cancellation or delay when you file a claim.

If you are concerned about the costs you may incur if a flight is cancelled or delayed, makes sure to choose a travel insurance policy which provides travel delay coverage in addition to trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance.

Best regards from Moneyguru

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