Travel Insurance for Trip Delays
How travel insurance for Americans may assist during trip delays.
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For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below.
- What's covered under trip delay
- How to file a claim
- What's not covered
- What's the difference between trip delay and trip interruption?
You’ve been planning your trip to the Galapagos Islands (and dreaming about snorkeling with sea turtles) for months, and now your trip is finally here. You’ve checked in your gear and are ready for your flight – only to be alerted that a storm is rolling in and you won’t be able to leave until the following day.
Unfortunately, while irksome incidents such as trip delays are rarely anticipated, they can happen. And when they do, knowing you have travel insurance* in your back pocket can help get your trip back on track… and calm you down fast.
What's covered under trip delay
There are several events that can cause a trip delay. World Nomads covers delays of six consecutive hours or more when caused by:
- A delay of your common carrier (including inclement weather).
- A traffic accident on the way to the airport that you’re not directly involved in.
- A natural disaster, such as a hurricane, earthquake or fire.
- Unannounced airline strikes or mechanical breakdowns.
- Lost or stolen passports.
- Civil unrest.
- Sickness or injury.
Don’t forget to read your World Nomads plan, which explains in more detail the types of situations that are covered under trip delay. Also, when you get a quote, you can compare our singe-trip and annual insurance plans side by side so you can see the benefit maximums in each and decide which plan is right for you.
If the reason for your trip delay is covered, then you may be covered up to plan limits for:
- Hotels or other lodgings.
- Taxis, ride shares or public transportation.
- Meals, snacks and beverages.
- Missed pre-paid, non-refundable land or water tours or accommodations.
If you’ve purchased an Epic or Explorer plan, there are additional benefits for missed connections. If your flight is delayed and you can’t get to the port in time to make your cruise, for example, we may pay for a flight so you can board your cruise at the next port. This also applies to flights on different carriers. If your first airline carrier is so delayed that you miss your flight on the next carrier, your missed connection benefit may help you 'catch up’ and get to your final destination. If this happens, you must first seek compensation from the airline (and keep proof of any approval or denials). Then, call the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team for assistance on what travel insurance benefits you may be eligible for.
Be sure to keep a copy of your receipts so you can submit them with your claim. World Nomads travel insurance is excess ( secondary) insurance so if the travel delay happened on commercial transportation, you’ll need to file a claim with your carrier before asking for reimbursement under your travel insurance plan.
Check out our article on baggage delay, in case your bags also take a detour en route to your destination.
How to file a claim
World Nomads trip delay coverage is secondary to any reimbursement provided by your airline or other transportation provider. Reach out to your airline first to ask for hotel and meal vouchers, and make sure you get documentation from your airline listing the original and revised departure times and the reason for the delay. Tip: the best time to get all the required details need to submit a claim is at the airport; ask the airline representatives to email you information about the cause of the delay.
When you submit your claim, provide the airline documentation and proof of travel, along with receipts for your out-of-pocket expenses. See our How to Make a Claim article for step-by-step instructions.
What's not covered under trip delay
Not every incident that can cause a trip delay is going to be claimable... here are a few things that aren’t covered:
- Delays of less than six hours. Are they inconvenient? Yes, and we know how unpleasant they can be. In some circumstances, they may be covered under the “travel inconvenience” benefit instead. You must have the Explorer or Epic plan though and have purchased within the time-sensitive period.
- Personal delays. So, your flight left but you weren’t on it. Whether or not you can be reimbursed for your delay will depend on why you missed the flight. Things like oversleeping and missing your ride or just not leaving yourself enough time to get to the airport and through airport security are not incidents that World Nomads is going to reimburse you for.
- Natural disasters that were forecasted or announced before you purchased the plan.
- Reimbursement for expenses above the per-day and maximum benefit. Be sure to read your schedule of benefits to check the per-day limits of your individual plan, and give us a call if you have any questions.
What's the difference between trip delay and trip interruption?
World Nomads defines a trip delay as when you are delayed for at least six consecutive hours, stopping you from getting to your destination.
A trip interruption is when something happens that prevents you from taking advantage of your full itinerary or causes you to end your trip early, such as breaking your leg during a ski trip. Keep in mind that what you are able to claim – and the maximum limits – depends on which travel insurance plan you have purchased.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Protection
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.
- Standard Plan: $2,500
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Epic Plan: $15,000
- Annual Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
- Work emergency?
- Weather delay?
- Travel companion sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Insurance
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
- Standard Plan: $125,500
- Explorer Plan: $150,000
- Epic Plan: $250,000
- Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
- Need a hospital urgently?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation
We'll provide assistance to get you to the hospital or home quickly.
- Standard Plan: $400,000
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Epic Plan: $700,000
- Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Evacuation
- Ambulance transfers
- Medevac flights
- Medical escort services
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Covers the loss, theft or damage of your bags, tech and gear.
- Standard Plan: $1,000
- Explorer Plan: $2,000
- Epic Plan: $3,000
- Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Stolen I.D.s
- Checked-in sports equipment
- Damaged luggage
Help starts here.
The amounts listed represent the maximum benefit amount.
Protect your health
- 24/7 Emergency Assistance Help Line
- Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Evacuations
- Bedside Companion Travel
- Emergency Medications
Protect Your Trip
- Trip Cancellation
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
- Trip Delay & Trip Interruption
- Missed Connection (Explorer or Epic)
- Rental Car Damage (Explorer, Epic or Annual)
Protect Your Stuff
- Baggage Delay
- Passport and Visa Loss
- Lost or Stolen Bags
- Personal Tech, Equipment & Gear
- Baggage Return After Evacuation
Non-Insurance Services
- Medical & Non-Medical 24/7 Emergency Assistance Line
- Translators Available
- Runway Health
- FootprintID
- Blue Ribbon Bags
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Wherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Contact Generali Global Assistance:
Telephone:
+1 954-334-8143 (Collect outside the US)
+1 877-289-0968 (Toll-free in the US and Canada
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.