Best Travel Insurance for Flight Cancellations of December 2024
Updated October 28, 2024 at 4:00 am
Imagine you are on your way to the airport and you get a dreaded email notification about a flight cancellation. The airline has already booked you on the next flight, but that doesn’t cover the impact this has on the rest of your trip plans. You scurry around to make new arrangements for your new itinerary but are stuck with unexpected, additional costs.
Or imagine that, despite your best efforts and careful planning, you discover you need to cancel a planned trip due to an illness, a problem with your job or a death in the family. Flights, hotels, car rentals and other activities you have planned are nonrefundable. You are forced to pay for a trip that you never get to take.
In both these scenarios, travel insurance can help protect against losing your nonrefundable expenses. You can expect to pay about 4% to 10% of your total trip price to insure your trip. While no one wants to pay more than they have to for a trip, that additional cost is small compared to losing 100% of your nonrefundable expenses. The best travel insurance for canceled flights covers the costs of trip delays, flight cancellations, missed connections, lost baggage and more.
Here are our top picks for the best travel insurance for flight cancellations.
Our Methodology Our research is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of small business services and products that best suit your needs. To help you in the decision-making process, our expert contributors compare common preferences and potential pain points, such as affordability, accessibility and credibility.
Key Takeaways Vault’s Viewpoint on the Best Travel Insurance for Flight Cancellations
- Look for coverage that covers flight cancellations due to weather, illness, accidents, or unforeseen events.
- See what the reimbursement policy gives you for non-refundable costs—most provide 50-75% reimbursement for flight cancellations.
- A good flight cancellation travel insurance policy will cover lost baggage and delayed luggage, reimbursing you for essentials you may need to repurchase.
- Some providers offer financial default protection, offering to reimburse you if your airline operator declares bankruptcy or defaults financially.
Our Picks for the Best Travel Insurance for Flight Cancellations
1. Faye
Best Claims Process
2. Travelex
Best Value
3. Squaremouth
Best for Cost Comparison
4. Generali Global Assistance
Best Emergency Assistance
5. Travel Guard
Best for Families
6. Seven Corners
Best Cancel for Any Reason
Best Travel Insurance for Flight Cancellation Providers of 2024
1. Faye
Best Claims Process
Vault Verified
Why We Chose It
Faye is newer to the insurance business, but customers seem to be raving about the quick claims process and the fully digital interactions. With the Faye app, you can submit claims, contact customer service 24/7 and be paid on eligible claims to your phone’s wallet thanks to Faye Wallet. Faye Wallet enables you to add your personalized payment card in the Faye app to Google Pay or Apple Pay. This allows you to tap and pay for the things you need most if you’re delayed—like a toothbrush or an airport meal.
Pros and Cons
- Quick claims processing
- Digital wallet to cover expenses
- Covers trips up to 180 days
- Lower maximum trip coverage
- Must use app for the best experience
- Low coverage for lost passport
Reimbursement Rates
Trip cancellation: 100%
Trip interruption: 150%
Policy Highlights
Up to $2,000 in lost baggage coverage
Optional coverage available for pet care, extreme sports, vacation rental damage, cancel for any reason (CFAR), rental car damage
2. Travelex
Best Value
Vault Verified
Why We Chose It
Travelex offers simplified plan options which come with comprehensive coverage for a good price. You can tailor a basic plan to your trip needs with several additional benefit options available—like car rental damage, adventure sports or flight accident coverage.
Pros and Cons
- Straightforward plan options
- Up to $500,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage
- Add-on coverages available
- Minimal plan options
- Low emergency medical coverage
- Cancel for work reasons not covered under all plans
Reimbursement Rates
Trip cancellation: 100%
Trip interruption: Up to 150%
Policy Highlights
Up to $500,000 emergency medical evacuation & repatriation of remains included
Trip length can up to 364 days
Children are included in plan coverage
3. Squaremouth
Best for Cost Comparison
Vault Verified
Why We Chose It
Squaremouth is a search engine for multiple travel insurance partners. If you enter your trip itinerary, you’ll be able to see quotes from several companies. You can compare cost and coverage through one website, rather than getting a quote at each provider individually. Additionally, you’ll pay the same price you pay directly through the vendor because Squaremouth does not charge additional fees for its services. If you have a problem with a provider, they’ll also work with you to resolve the complaint.
Pros and Cons
- Same as booking directly through the provider
- Shop multiple carriers at the same time
- Zero complaint guarantee
- Limited to partner carriers
- Cannot file a claim directly through Squaremouth
- Customer service only available 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET
Reimbursement Rates
Varies by plan
Policy Highlights
Varies by plan
4. Generali Global Assistance
Best Emergency Assistance
Vault Verified
Why We Chose It
Generali Global offers trip cancellation for situations that other companies do not—like school year or academic exam schedule changes, new vaccine requirements, adoption and organ match. These plans offer higher than standard trip interruption coverage. When you call the emergency line, you get connected quickly to a live person who will help you with whatever issues you’re having.
Pros and Cons
- High trip interruption reimbursement rate
- 24/7/365 emergency assistance line
- Extensive trip cancellation conditions
- Baggage delays must be at least 12 hours (up to 24 hours for Standard policies)
- Low CFAR reimbursement
- Automated phone system for claim issues
Reimbursement Rates
Trip cancellation: 100%
Trip interruption: Up to 175%
Policy Highlights
Up to $25,000 rental car damage coverage
Up to $1,000,000 emergency medical evacuation
Preexisting conditions covered with premium plan
5. Travel Guard
Best for Families
Vault Verified
Why We Chose It
Travel Guard from AIG offers several standard travel insurance plans as well as plans for last-minute travelers who don’t need trip cancellation coverage and frequent travelers who want an annual plan option. It offers extensive medical coverage, which can provide peace of mind, especially when traveling with children. Travel Guard also has a unique trip exchange benefit, which allows you to recoup some of the cost of your trip if you decide to move your travel dates rather than cancel for a covered reason.
Pros and Cons
- One child is covered at no additional cost for each adult insured
- High maximum trip coverage
- Concierge service available
- Cannot be reimbursed for flights purchased with miles
- Complicated exclusions list
- Slow claims process
Reimbursement Rates
Trip cancellation: 100%
Trip interruption: Up to 150%
Trip exchange: Up to 50% on some plans
Policy Highlights
Up to $100,000 security evacuation in the case of civil disorder or riot on some plans
Up to $1,000,000 emergency medical evacuation
Up to $1,000 for missed connections
6. Seven Corners
Best Cancel for Any Reason
Vault Verified
Why We Chose It
“Cancel for Any Reason” is a common upgrade for travel insurance plans. Seven Corners adds an additional coverage option of interruption for any reason to add extra protection. This allows you to cut your trip short for reasons outside the traditional policy—like an argument with your travel companion, a bed bug outbreak in the next city on your itinerary or your pet becoming ill and you want to return home.
Pros and Cons
- High dental coverage
- Event ticket coverage available
- CFAR and IFAR available
- Some plans only include secondary emergency medical expense coverage
- Complicated claims process
- Longer preexisting condition waiver timeline
Reimbursement Rates
Trip cancellation: 100%
Trip interruption: Up to 150%
Cancel for any reason: 75%
Interrupt for any reason: 75%
Policy Highlights
Up to $200 for lost or stolen passport, visa or other travel documents
Up to $750 dental benefit
Up to $15,000 event ticket benefit
Is Getting Travel Insurance for Flight Cancellations Worth It?
Traveling usually requires a big investment of time and money. The last thing you want is to have your plans go awry. One of the best parts about travel insurance is that it covers more than just flight cancellations. It can offer protection for nonrefundable parts of your trip—including flights, transportation, hotel or AirBnB accommodations and tours—so you aren’t left paying for a trip you don’t take.
If your airline cancels your flight but you’re able to continue on your trip, this would likely qualify for trip delay or trip interruption benefits. If you experience a qualified event like medical issues or otherwise, your flight cancellation would likely be covered under trip cancellation coverage. Trip cancellation qualification is often limited to 48 hours before your departure.
Some travel credit cards with no annual fees may include travel insurance as part of your perks package. While it may not provide as much coverage as some travel insurance plans, you may already be carrying around some travel protection in your wallet.
Pros and Cons of Travel Insurance Plans With Flight Cancellation
Pros
- Peace of mind
- Reimbursement for nonrefundable expenses
- Protection against emergencies
Cons
- Additional cost
- Exclusions to coverage
- Time delay for reimbursement
When Can You Skip or Forgo Travel Insurance for Flight Cancellations?
Travel insurance traditionally covers the nonrefundable costs of your trip. If your travel plans are refundable or easily changed, you could probably skip the travel insurance altogether.
For example, if you are traveling to visit a family member or friend, it may be easy to change your plans with a phone call. If you don’t have significant nonrefundable travel costs like a car rental, hotel accommodations or tour group reservations, travel insurance with flight cancellation benefits probably won’t be of great benefit to you. Especially when the best travel credit cards offer benefits like lost baggage coverage or rental car protection.
Also, some travel insurance plans require delays to be in excess of six hours or more before any benefit kicks in. So if your flight was canceled but you were rebooked on a flight leaving an hour later, you may not be entitled to any compensation anyway.If you book last minute travel, you also may want to forego purchasing travel insurance. One major benefit of travel insurance is trip cancellation, but that benefit may only be available up to 48 hours before departure. In the instance that you book a last minute flight to Hawaii that leaves in 12 hours, one of the biggest benefits in your policy will be null. At that point, it may not be worth the cost for only a portion of value.
Why Would You Need Travel Insurance With Flight Cancellation Policies?
According to the Department of Transportation, if your flight is canceled, you’re entitled to a refund should you choose not to travel. Even if you get rebooked on the next flight, the airline isn’t responsible for any additional expenses that you incur from the disruption to your travel.
Additionally, what happens if you break your leg a week before your trip and have to cancel everything? You may be out thousands of dollars. That’s where travel insurance kicks in.
Each travel insurance carrier will have a list of reasons for cancellation covered as part of your policy. You can access these documents before you purchase your policy to have a better idea of what events are covered and what events do not qualify for flight cancellation coverage. Most of the best travel insurance for flight cancellation will include the following reasons:
- Medical Reasons: Most travel insurance policies provide reimbursement in case an unexpected illness, injury or death of the traveler, a travel companion or a non-traveling family member prevents the trip from happening. For your claim, you may need certification from a licensed physician that this occasion is so disabling that you need to cancel your trip.
- Natural Disasters: Travelers may receive reimbursement for unused, nonrefundable trip expenses if travel is impacted by a weather event (or other natural disaster) at either the destination or at their residence. Coverage applies only if travelers have purchased a policy before a natural disaster happens or a storm is named; otherwise, the event is foreseeable and will likely be ineligible for coverage.
- Financial Default: Travelers are eligible for reimbursement in case of trip cancellation due to the financial default of their travel provider—which may include airlines, cruise lines, and/or tour operators.
- Job-Related: If a traveler cancels their trip due to work-related reasons, they can receive reimbursement for insured expenses associated with their trip. Covered reasons typically include involuntary termination or having vacation time revoked.
- Terrorism: Typically, a terrorist event within 30 days of your departure date or a travel warning level 4 and higher after the effective date of coverage at your destination city may qualify for trip cancellation coverage.
How To Choose the Best Travel Insurance for Flight Cancellation for You
When you’re shopping around for the best travel insurance for canceled flights, you’ll want to look at more than just the maximum coverage amounts. While you hope that your trip will go off without a hitch, in the event you do need to make a claim, you’ll want to make sure you’re working with a reputable company. Here’s what to look at when choosing a travel insurance provider.
Covered Events
The reason that you purchase travel insurance is to cover your nonrefundable travel expenses for flight cancellations and other emergencies. You want to look for a policy that covers flight cancellations for emergencies and issues that you may encounter. Check the policy coverage to see exactly what is covered in the event of a flight cancellation.
Claims Process
In the event that you experience a flight cancellation that disrupts your trips, you’ll need to submit a claim to your insurance provider to be reimbursed for your trip expenses. Before you choose a provider, look into the company’s claims process. You should research how to submit claims, what documentation or proof you will need and how quickly you will receive your money back before purchasing travel insurance.
Emergency Assistance
Look for a company that has global customer assistance on a 24/7 basis. If you’re catching the first flight of the day or traveling across multiple time zones, you want to be able to call and get help when you need it—especially when you’re dealing with flight cancellations. Find an insurance provider that has multiple ways to contact them, whether that’s by phone, webchat, in-app messaging or email.
Additional Coverage Options
Standard policies may not cover all the events you are concerned about. Look for policies that offer additional benefits and coverages for things like extreme or adventure sports, rental cars, wedding cancellations and preexisting medical conditions. Cancel for Any Reason options may also be a good idea. While these extra protections will increase the cost of your insurance, it will also extend your coverage.
Customer Reviews
Take a look at the company’s rating with the Better Business Bureau and other third-party review websites for an unbiased review. When you’re browsing customer reviews, look at those where someone had to make a claim. There will likely be outliers on both ends of the spectrum, but get a general consensus about how the company operates and handles claimants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are You Entitled to if an Airline Cancels Your Flight?
If the airline cancels your flight, you may be entitled to compensation through your insurance carrier. Flight cancellations due to weather, terrorist attack or other covered events listed in your policy would be covered at the trip cancellation reimbursement rate.
However, if the airline cancels your flight for other reasons—like mechanical problems or flight staffing issues—your flight cancellation may not be covered. If the airline books you on a later flight for the same itinerary, you may be eligible for benefits under your trip delay reimbursement.
Per the U.S Department of Transportation, “A consumer is entitled to a refund if the airline cancelled a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel.” Even if your situation doesn’t qualify for compensation through your travel insurance, you should contact the airline for a refund if your carrier cancels your flight.
Can I Get a Full Refund on a Flight Cancellation?
With a standard travel insurance policy, trip cancellation—including flight cancellation—is typically covered at 100% if the travel is canceled 48 hours before departure and is due to a covered reason listed in your policy. If the reason for the flight cancellation is outside the standard coverage, this is where a Cancel for Any Reason policy would be helpful. This type of policy typically covers voluntary reasons that you cancel your flight or trip.
How Much Does Your Flight Have To Be Delayed To Get Compensation?
Depending on your insurance carrier and plan purchased, flight delays generally need to be at least six hours long. If you have a missed connection, you may qualify for additional reimbursement if you have a delay of three hours or more.
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