What is Travel Delay coverage? Travel Delay coverage can provide reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, such as hotel accommodations, meals and transportation if you are delayed during your trip. Depending on your travel insurance plan, there are requirements that must be met to qualify.

Trip delay insurance is designed to reimburse you for "reasonable" out-of-pocket expenses incurred when your travel is delayed by a covered reason (such as severe weather, mechanical failure, or a strike) for a minimum amount of time, usually 3 to 12 hours. Covered expenses typically include meals and refreshments, overnight hotel accommodations if the delay spans into the next day, and local transportation (like taxis or rideshares) between the airport and your hotel. Some policies also cover "essential items" like toiletries or a change of clothes if you do not have access to your checked luggage. It is critical to keep all itemized receipts and obtain a written "statement of delay" from your airline to file a successful claim. Note that this insurance does not cover the cost of the original flight itself (which is covered by "Trip Cancellation") or delays caused by personal reasons, such as oversleeping or getting stuck in traffic on the way to the airport.