Do I need insurance if my flight is Cancelled?

If your flight is canceled and the ticket is nonrefundable, you may be able to make a claim for reimbursement with your travel insurance provider. It's also important to consider that even if the airline refunds you for a canceled flight, you still need protection from other nonrefundable trip expenses.



You do not strictly need travel insurance to be covered for a cancellation, as airlines are legally responsible for rebooking you or providing a refund if they cancel your flight. In many regions, like the EU/UK (under EC 261/2004) or the US, you may also be entitled to compensation for meals and hotels if the cancellation is within the airline's control. However, travel insurance is highly recommended because it covers non-airline expenses that the carrier won't touch, such as non-refundable hotel bookings at your destination, pre-paid tours, or missed event tickets. Furthermore, insurance provides a safety net if you need to cancel due to personal reasons like illness or a family emergency—situations where the airline is not obligated to give you more than a future flight credit. Essentially, the airline covers the flight, but insurance covers the entire investment of your trip.

People Also Ask

If airlines cancel a flight for any reason, passengers are legally entitled to a full refund, including for ticket price, taxes, baggage fees, extra charges and ancillary fees. Travelers must receive that refund within seven business days if they paid by credit card, and within 20 days if by cash or check.

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' If you're short on time, here's a quick answer to your question: Yes, in many cases, especially during significant delays or cancellations not due to extraordinary circumstances, airlines may cover the cost of hotel accommodations for passengers.

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When a flight delay occurs, you are entitled to assistance and a choice between rerouting, reimbursement, or rebooking. If you arrive at your destination more than 3 hours after your scheduled arrival time, you are entitled to the same reimbursement, rerouting, and rebooking structure as a denied boarding.

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How to File a Claim for Flight Cancellation Compensation
  1. Collect proof that your flight was cancelled, e.g. boarding pass, vouchers and any other travel documents.
  2. Get the airline to provide written confirmation of the cancellation and reasons behind it.
  3. Request an alternate flight to your destination - or a refund.


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On average, travelers should expect to pay 6.87% of their total trip cost for travel insurance. The minimum you might expect to pay is 4.15%, but it can go as high as 15.8%.

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If you purchased a round-trip flight and need to change the first leg to a different day, your best bet will likely be to pay the change fee and book a new flight. If you only need to change the return portion of a round trip, however, it may be cheaper to book a new one-way flight than to pay the cancellation fee.

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Delta Air Lines and other carriers are committing to pay for hotel and food expenses for some passengers whose flights are canceled or delayed by three hours or more, as the federal government pushes airlines to improve how they treat customers during flight disruptions.

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Airline companies: When you book your flight, your airline will usually offer you the option to insure your flight for an additional cost. This is the most affordable way to get flight insurance, but the coverage and assistance services are less robust.

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