Understanding Travel Delay - What Is Covered With Travel Insurance

What is Travel Delay Expenses Cover?

Travel  Delay Expenses cover means that if your pre-booked carrier is unexpectedly cancelled and rescheduled, or delayed, and the rescheduled departure time or delay is for at least 6 hours from the time that your carrier was originally scheduled to depart, the reasonable additional meal and accommodation expenses that you incur as a result of this delay can be covered under your policy. 

What do we mean by ‘carrier’? 

A ‘carrier’ means an aircraft, vehicle, train, tram, cruise ship, ferry, vessel or any other public transport operated under a license for the purpose of transporting passengers, however it doesn’t include taxis. 

Am I covered if the travel delay impacts my ongoing travel plans? 

The Travel Delay Expenses benefit only provides cover for the additional meal and accommodation expenses that you incur from the initial travel delay (the original time that your pre-booked carrier was scheduled to depart), and you are delayed for at least 6 hours, and only up until the time that you are able to depart.  

If the initial delay of your pre-booked carrier impacts the rest of your travel plans, including any subsequent connecting flights, you may have provision to claim under the Trip Disruption Benefit if the: 

• reason for the initial delay is covered under the Trip Disruption benefit, and 

• the Trip Disruption benefit is included with the policy that you have chosen for your trip.

What can be considered a travel delay?

We consider that your travel has been delayed if your carrier doesn’t depart for 6 hours or more from the time that it was scheduled to depart, due to unexpected reasons that include (but are not limited to): 

• Common carrier problems including mechanical or operational issues. Note that whilst the Travel Delay Expenses Benefit may provide cover for these type of situations, other Benefits may not. Make sure you consider the PDS to find out more. 
• Natural disasters 
• Bad weather 
• Hijack 
• Strikes, riots and civil protest

Does the Travel Delay benefit cover the cost to book a flight with another airline? 

The Travel Delay Expenses benefit only provides cover for your additional accommodation and meal expenses while you wait for your cancelled and rescheduled, or delayed carrier to depart and the wait is for 6 hours or more. There’s no cover under this benefit for you to book with another carrier to get you to your next destination, or to transport you home earlier. 

However, if your policy includes the Special Event Transport Expenses Benefit, and you were travelling to a special event for your trip (pre-booked, pre-paid and pre-arranged wedding, funeral, conference, sporting event, cruise or tour package), you may be able to claim for the cost to book with another carrier to get you to your special event on time.

Tips to avoid a travel delay 

While carrier delays may be out of your control, there are a few things you can do to avoid or reduce the stress, and possibility of your travel being delayed: 

• Assume you’ll be delayed and factor this into your travel plans: this may include allowing more time between connecting flights. 
• If possible, book all flights to your destination with the same airline carrier. 
• Book a direct, or non-stop flight to your destination. 
• Choose your destination depending on the time of year and avoid the destinations which are more likely to experience bad weather. 
• If you know you’re likely to miss a connecting flight, contact the airline carrier to discuss your options. 
• Book early morning flights, as they’re the least likely to be cancelled, and flights for the middle of the week, as there are usually fewer travellers, which may mean less crowded airports and planes.

Please note: any advice is general advice only and has not taken into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the PDS and TMD prior to deciding whether this policy is right for you.