What travel insurance ACTUALLY pays out for missed flights?

[radamfi]

TOCs obviously do not provide compensation for missed flights due to train delays, other than Delay Repay. You are supposed to claim from travel insurance. But what travel insurance actually pays out, preferably with the minimum of fuss? What are your experiences with claiming on travel insurance in such circumstances?

 

[Bletchleyite]

TOCs obviously do not provide compensation for missed flights due to train delays, other than Delay Repay. You are supposed to claim from travel insurance. But what travel insurance actually pays out, preferably with the minimum of fuss? What are your experiences with claiming on travel insurance in such circumstances?

I haven't had to claim for that (the one and only time it's happened to me I was travelling on business and so I have no idea if the company stood the loss or claimed it) but I would expect all policies to cover missed flights due to public transport problems provided you left a sensible amount of time.

 

[Condor7]

I think this is where a good insurance broker comes in handy, someone you can sit down with and discuss your exact requirements, he can then find the best one for your specific needs.

 

[The Ham]

Some time ago it was only if you went to the airport by public transport (which was easy to check) compared with driving.

IIRC it's changed, but it's worth checking the shall print.

 

[northwichcat]

I haven't had to claim but I've noticed failure of public transport to get you to the airport on time is quite often included in policies. However, there's usually an excess and the small print usually says you have to be travelling directly to the Airport.

 

[FQTV]

TOCs obviously do not provide compensation for missed flights due to train delays, other than Delay Repay. You are supposed to claim from travel insurance. But what travel insurance actually pays out, preferably with the minimum of fuss? What are your experiences with claiming on travel insurance in such circumstances?

Any policy which covers missed departure should pay out, and without delay. The key is to ensure that any policy meets the demands and needs of the insured, and that the insured understands what any given policy may or may not cover and to what level. Travel insurance is not a generic standard; a £4 policy from The Post Office will not cover the same things as a £100 policy from them or anyone else.

As an example of what could be covered, and the differing levels of cover available, this is a quote from the random company Staysure's policy documents:

Section 4a Missed Departure
What is covered: We will pay you up to £500 for Basic cover and £1,500 for Comprehensive cover, for reasonable additional travelling and accommodation expenses necessarily incurred to reach your overseas destination or to return to the United Kingdom by the most direct route.

If you arrive at the airport, port or international coach or rail terminal to depart too late to commence the first outward international journey abroad of your booked trip, as a result of:
a) breakdown of or accident directly involving the vehicle in which you are travelling; or
b) cancellation or curtailment of scheduled public transport due to adverse weather conditions, strike, or industrial action, or mechanical breakdown, or accident.

We will provide assistance by liaising with the carrier and/or Tour Operator to advise of your late arrival. If necessary, we will make arrangements for overnight hotel accommodation and alternative international travel.

Section 4b
Home Country Departure Assistance & Missed Home Country Connection
PLEASE NOTE: this section of cover is only included in Comprehensive Cover policies.

What is covered:
We will pay up to £500 for costs incurred should you be delayed or miss your connection as follows:

On your outward journey:
If you are delayed during your internal/connecting journey to your United Kingdom international airport, port, coach, or rail terminal, as a result of disruption, cancellation, delay, suspension, failure, or alteration of public transport, or breakdown, or accident immobilising the private vehicle in which you are travelling:
a) we will provide assistance to enable you to continue your journey to your United Kingdom international departure point;
b) we will provide alternative transport or emergency local help where necessary, including the towing of your vehicle to the nearest garage.

On your return to your home country:
If your main international air, sea, coach or rail carrier is delayed and you miss your pre-booked and pre-paid internal travel connection within the United Kingdom by scheduled public transport we will:
a) assist you to reach home from the point where you transfer from the main international air, sea, coach or rail carrier;
b) liaise with the onward transport provider to advise of your late arrival and will, if necessary, make alternative travel arrangements to enable you to get home.

Should you arrive at your home country transfer point on time but you are unable to continue home as planned due to the disruption, cancellation, delay, suspension, failure or alteration of your planned internal travel connection by scheduled public transport; or the immobilisation or theft of the private vehicle in which you proposed to travel we will:
a) provide necessary alternative transport, local emergency assistance, recovery of the private vehicle and the passengers to their home or overnight accommodation whilst awaiting repairs to the private vehicle.

Special conditions relating to claims under Sections 4a and 4b
1. You must make every effort to commence and complete the journey to your departure point and check in for the flight, sea crossing, coach or train journey on time.
2. You must obtain written confirmation from the carrier stating the period of, and the reason for, the delay.
3. For claims arising from an accident to, or breakdown of a private vehicle in which you are travelling, you must obtain written confirmation from the emergency breakdown services or repairers of the location and reason for the breakdown or the Police Accident Report.
4. Where your private vehicle in which you are travelling or intending to travel cannot be used as a result of breakdown or accident, we will pay for 1 hour’s roadside assistance (excluding any replacement parts) and towing charges to the nearest garage. For claims under Section 4b only.
5. Claims arising from traffic congestion must be evidenced with written confirmation from the Highways Agency of the location and duration of the delay.

What is not covered under Sections 4a and 4b:
1. claims arising from actual or planned strike or industrial action which was common knowledge at the time you booked the trip or purchased, renewed or extended this insurance;
2. additional costs where the scheduled public transport operator has offered alternative travel arrangements;
3. breakdown of the private vehicle in which you are travelling if it has not been regularly serviced;
4. claims under Section 4b in addition to claims under Section 5 (travel delay);
5. claims due to you allowing insufficient time to complete your journey to the departure point;
6. anything mentioned in the General Exclusions.

https://www.staysure.co.uk/policydocs/travel-insurance/policywording-20171206.pdf

It should perhaps also be noted that the sale of travel insurance is subject to regulation under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001 (SI 2001/544).

If advice is provided as to the suitability of a policy, or a recommendation is given, then the person advising, recommending and/or selling should be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority to do so.