Under What Circumstances Can You Claim Compensation for Flight Delays or Cancellations?
Flight Disruptions
Common reasons for flight delays or cancellations by airlines include severe weather conditions such as typhoons, snowstorms, heavy rain, or natural disasters, as well as strikes or mechanical failures that prevent normal flight operations. In such cases, airlines may take remedial actions such as rescheduling the flight, extending the validity of the ticket, or issuing refunds. However, pre-paid expenses for accommodation and transportation may not be refundable. These losses may be recoverable through a travel insurance claim. If the flight delay or cancellation is caused by operational decisions, such as low passenger numbers or insufficient crew, it is generally not covered under travel insurance.
As for how long a flight must be delayed before a claim can be made, most insurers set a threshold of between six to eight hours. In other words, the delay must exceed a minimum duration for the insured to be eligible to submit a claim. Short delays due to temporary factors like air traffic control are typically not included in the coverage.
Trip Cancellations:
A. Personal Reasons
If the insured is unable to begin the trip as planned or is forced to cancel due to specific circumstances, the insurance company may reimburse non-refundable pre-paid expenses according to the terms and conditions of the policy. Common covered reasons include:
- Sudden health issues: If the insured, a travel companion, or an immediate family member experiences a sudden serious illness, accidental injury, or passes away, and is unable to travel as scheduled.
- Property damage: If the residence of the insured or a travel companion suffers significant damage due to an unexpected event such as a fire or flooding shortly before departure, affecting travel plans.
- Legal obligations: If the insured is required to fulfil a legal duty, such as being summoned to court or selected for jury service, resulting in the cancellation of the trip.
B. Security Concerns
Most travel insurance plans include an Outbound Travel Alert extension. If the Hong Kong government issues a black alert for the destination within seven days before the scheduled departure, and the trip must be cancelled or changed, the insurer will assess the eligibility for trip cancellation based on the alert level in effect (such as Amber, Red, or Black). If a black travel alert is in place, the policy will typically reimburse the insured for non-refundable pre-paid expenses such as airfares and accommodation.
As compensation terms may vary across insurance providers, travellers are advised to carefully review the policy details before purchasing travel insurance to understand the specific conditions and exclusions, ensuring they are properly protected when needed.
