There is nothing more frustrating than your flight is delayed or cancelled. Post-pandemic travel has seen many transport service carriers ramping back up to normal levels, but this hasn't come without its fair share of hiccups. Many airlines have reduced capacity and frequent flight cancellations, so it’s more important than ever to understand when you’re covered when it comes to your travel insurance with 1Cover NZ. In this guide, we detail our cover when it comes to airline cancellations, delays, and trip disruptions.
If your flights are cancelled, we may cover you under various benefits within the policy. However, this will depend on the cause of the cancellation.
We cover you for your reasonable additional accommodation and travel expenses when your pre-paid scheduled or connecting transport is cancelled, delayed, diverted, rescheduled, or shortened because of one of the following events: strike, riot, hijack, civil protest or unrest, weather, natural disaster, or physical accident affecting your mode of transport. If you paid with your frequent flyer points to purchase your airline ticket, cover is also provided, as long as the airline is not refunding your points.
If your overseas flight is cancelled and you are trying to reach a wedding, funeral, prepaid conference, concert, music festival, sporting event, or tour lasting more than two consecutive nights we will pay your reasonable additional travel expenses up to $2,000 to allow you to arrive on time.
We do not cover you for cancellations or delays which are at fault by an airline, shipping line, bus line or rail authority as the responsibility falls on the transport provider to supply you with the services you have paid them for.
Terms and conditions, limits and exclusions apply to all benefits. Please see Policy Wording for full details.
1Cover NZ policies cover you for delays where you cannot make your mode of transport due to an unforeseen circumstance. So if your flights are rescheduled, delayed or cancelled during your trip, you may have a provision to claim under different benefits.
We may cover you if you miss your connecting flight due to unforeseen circumstances such a strike, riot, hijack, civil protest or unrest, weather, natural disaster, or physical accident affecting your mode of transport or if you become sick or injured and are unfit to travel. We do not cover you for a missed connecting flight that were the fault of the airline as it is their responsibility to provide you with the service you have paid for. If you miss a connecting flight, we recommend seeking compensation from your transport provider.
We also cover you if your pre-paid transport is cancelled, delayed, or rescheduled for a reason outside of your control and you are delayed for at least 6 hours, we will reimburse up to $200 for reasonable additional meal and accommodation expenses; and up to $200 for each full 24-hour period that the disruption continues beyond the initial 6-hour delay. Scroll to read our handy FAQS when it comes to Airline Delays.
We do not cover you for cancellations or delays which are at fault by an airline, shipping line, bus line or rail authority as the responsibility falls on the transport provider to supply you with the services you have paid them for.
Terms and conditions, limits and exclusions apply. Please see Policy Wording for full details.
It’s not just cancelled flights that can put a spanner in your plans, plenty of other unforeseen things can turn any holiday from wonderful to woeful. 1Cover NZ policies cover for trip disruptions when your trips are shortened due to a number of events.
We cover you for reasonable additional costs for you to return to Australia or New Zealand if during your journey, your travelling companion or a relative of either of you aged 84 or under:
We do not cover
Full terms and conditions, limits and exclusions apply. Please see Policy Wording for full details.
For fault of the airline such as schedule changes, aircraft maintenance or staffing issues, any refunds or re-arrangement of flights is the responsibility of the airline. We provide cover for unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, natural disaster, strikes, collisions or if you become sick or injured and are unfit to travel. Please see the PDS for full details.
In the first instance, you should contact the airline to see if any alternate arrangement can be made or if any compensation may be offered. You should retain any documentation provided by the airline or receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses which you may incur as a result of the delay or cancellation so that you can submit them should you need to make a claim. We do not cover for cancellation, delays or rescheduling which are at the fault of the airline as the responsibility falls on the transport provider to supply you with the services you have paid them for.
If you find yourself in this situation, first contact your carrier to learn what travel options you have. You should obtain written confirmation from the carrier detailing the reason for the cancellation or rescheduling of your transport in case you want to make a claim for unexpected losses. Once you know your options you need to minimise your costs. If you know you'll be spending the night, we don’t recommend treating yourself to a 5 star hotel when the rest of your trip is 3 star, we don't cover the difference in cost arrangements above the standard you'd booked at for the rest of your trip.
If your flight is delayed for more than 6 hours and you are unable to return home for the delayed period the On-Trip Disruption benefits provides cover for reasonable costs for meals & accommodation up to $200 for the initial 6 hour period with an additional $200 for each additional 24 hour period that the disruption continues.
Please note that you will need to claim through your an airline first and show us documentation that they are not able to reimburse you for any associated costs due to a flight cancellation. Please see the PDS for full details on On-Trip Disruption benefits.
It depends on the reason that you miss your connecting flight. Travel Insurance will cover you if you miss your connecting flight due unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, natural disaster, strikes, collisions or if you become sick or injured and are unfit to travel. We do not cover for missed connecting flight that were fault of the airline as it is their responsibility to provide you with the service you have paid for. If you miss a connecting flight we recommend seeking compensation from your transport provider.
It depends on the reason your flight was cancelled. If you decide to book with another airline because of your original flight was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances such a strike, riot, hijack, civil unrest, weather, natural disaster then you may be entitled to claim. We always advise you to contact us first before paying out any additional travel expenses.
Support Varies From Country To Country, So Get Up-To-Speed On Where You Stand On Compensation Depending On Your Travel Destination.
Australia
For delayed or cancelled domestic flights because of issues like mechanical faults, airline staffing problems, or overbookings, NZ airlines are required to compensate you with expenses for food, transport and even further missed flight connections. You can claim up to 10 times the cost of your ticket with the airline, or the cost of the delay (whichever is the lower amount).You are unlikely to be compensated for delays or cancellations outside of the airlines control such as extreme weather events. Find out more here.
Europe
If your flight is delayed or cancelled you are eligible for compensation including meals, accommodation and phone calls depending on the number of delayed hours, when you were notified and the distance of the flight. If the cancellation occurs because of unexpected circumstances compensation may not be available, but a refund may be offered. Learn more about your rights here.
UK
Due to Brexit, EU rules on air passenger rights do not apply to flights from the UK to the EU if your flight was operated by a UK carrier or another non-EU carrier.
USA
You’re unlikely to receive compensation for any losses that occur from your flight being delayed, however, if you’re involuntarily bumped you may be compensated. Learn more about USA flight rights here.
Indonesia
You may be entitled to compensation if a domestic flight within Indonesia is delayed for more than four hours. If you are involuntarily bumped off your flight the airline must find you an alternative flight or provide you with food and accommodation. You are not likely to receive compensation for delays or cancellations due to weather or mechanical problem
Don’t buy the cheapest flight
Many cheaper fare flights do not come with options which allow you to change or cancel your booking giving you flexibility to move your trip if you should need. It’s always a good idea to understand your airlines small print when it comes to cancellation fees and surcharges.
Book on the red eye
It’s not a sure thing, but generally speaking, early morning flights tend to experience less delays than those later in the day. So if you can handle the early alarm, book flights at the start of the day to try to avoid any delays.
Don’t put luggage in the hold
Staff shortages have seen long delays at luggage collection points at airlines. If you can avoid luggage going into the hold you can save yourself time at either end of the flight.
Leave plenty of time
A breakdown on the way to the airport or having to go back for a forgotten passport can really put a spanner in the works of your travel plans. When preparing for your holiday, make sure you leave enough time for any unforeseen hiccups that could affect getting to the airport on time. Weather can also be unpredictable, so make sure you are prepared for any eventualities that could affect your flights.
Get evidence of delays and cancellations from your airline
To make any flight delay or cancellation claim, we’ll need you to get the airline to provide us with a letter showing evidence of the travel disruption. You’ll need this in order to claim for any out-of-pocket expenses.
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