Each day millions of travelers are navigating airports, filing through security lines and hoping to board their flight seamlessly. However, not every trip goes as planned. Leading travel insurance comparison site, Squaremouth, reviews three common air travel nightmares that travel insurance doesn't cover.
The Neverending Security Line
While travelers may aim to arrive early, sometimes security lines can be long, especially during holidays and peak travel times. Missing a flight because of a long security line is not covered by travel insurance.
What can be covered: If a traveler misses their flight due to a traffic accident on the way to the airport there may be travel insurance coverage on some policies. Travel insurance providers will require official documentation of the accident during the claims process.
The Overbooked Flight
Often unbeknown to travelers, airlines overbook flights on a regular basis. If an airline 'bumps' a traveler from a flight because it's full, they will often provide a voucher. However, a voucher for future travel doesn't always help if a traveler has a connecting flight or cruise that they will miss. Any penalties incurred as a result of being bumped from an overbooked flight aren't covered by travel insurance.
What can be covered: If a flight is delayed due to a mechanical failure or bad weather, travel insurance can pay travelers back for their meals, hotel accommodations and local transportation during their delay. If the flight is cancelled or delayed for a significant amount of time, some travel insurance providers can allow the traveler to cancel their trip get their money back.
Flights Paid With Frequent Flyer Miles
While travel insurance can provide coverage in many different situations, it can't pay back reward points or frequent flyer miles, because there is no dollar value to associate with the points.
What can be covered: Taxes and fees associated with the air miles or reward points may be covered. Some providers will also cover fees to rebank miles.
Related: Consumer Caution: 3 Hotel and Rental Travel Nightmares that Travel Insurance Won't Cover
ABOUT SQUAREMOUTH
Squaremouth compares travel insurance policies from every major travel insurance provider in the United States. Using Squaremouth's comparison engine and third-party customer reviews, travelers can research and compare travel insurance policies side-by-side. More information can be found at www.squaremouth.com
Image: Joseph DePalma | Flickr
