Flight insurance

Some airlines might offer a "flight only" policy but you'll notice that they're quite expensive if you compare them to standalone travel insurance. Travel insurance offers you value for what you need.

Compare travel insurance with cancellation cover for flights

To ensure you're not out of pocket if you have to cancel your flights, opt for cancellation cover with a maximum benefit limit larger than the cost of your flights and any deposits you've paid. Checking cancellation cover limits is easy. Pop your trip details into our search engine and you can compare each policy's limit and price side by side.

Cheapest flight insurance policies

Below are the cheapest travel insurance policies with cancellation cover and lost deposits on Finder. This is based on a 30 year old travelling to Bali from Australia for 2 weeks.

Brand	Cancellation Cover & Lost Deposits Benefit	Price	Apply
Tick Travel Insurance Budget	$5,000	$37.02
Travel With Jane Basic	$15,000	$43.31
Travel with Kit Basic	$15,000	$43.45
Insure4Less Essentials	$2,500	$45.31

Unless you are booking last minute flights, even the lowest cancellation cover and lost deposit benefit limit of $2,500 is quite likely to cover flights to Bali and lost deposits from hotel bookings. If you are planning a cheap trip to a nearby destination like Bali, New Zealand or within Australia, make sure you calculate the cost of your flight and any deposits you've had to pay, from airbnb to trip excursions and car rentals. If your total cost is more than the cancellation cover and lost deposit benefit limit, opt for a policy with a higher limit.

Remember that a policy like this is more risky if you're planning a more expensive trip to Europe or America where costs can be considerably more.

Do I need flight insurance?

Since flights are such a large expense, purchasing travel insurance that protects them is a smart move. Standard and comprehensive travel insurance policies can protect you from the following:

• Natural Disasters. So long as you have travel insurance before a natural disaster occurs, your insurer should cover you. For example, if you have booked flights to Japan three months in advance and purchased insurance but just one week before your scheduled departure, an earthquake strikes and you are forced to cancel your trip, cancellation cover will reimburse you for the cost of flights.
• Illness or injury. If a relative falls ill before you go or while you are away, a policy can help cover you for cancelling the flight or for paying for a flight home.
• Death of a relative. If a relative dies before you leave, cancellation cover can ensure you get your money back on booked flights and deposits. If a relative dies whilst you are away, comprehensive policies will pay for your flight home.
• Jury Duty/Cancelled Leave. If you receive a jury duty summons or your employer cancels your leave, travel insurance can cover the cost of any cancellation fees you are charged. It can also pay for non-refundable deposits on your pre-booked accommodation and transport, including flights.

What does a flight insurance policy include?

If you are looking for a wider range of flight and travel disruption services, opt for a standard or comprehensive policy. These policies include benefits such as:

• Cancellation cover: If something goes wrong and you need to cancel your trip before you set off, you can claim back on any money you lose, up to the maximum benefit limit stated on your policy. Most comprehensive policies come with unlimited cancellation cover.
• Travel Delay: This benefit reimburses you for accommodation and travel expenses when your flights are disrupted by bad weather, industrial action, natural disaster, hijacking and if you are deemed medically unfit to travel.
• Alternative Travel Expenses: This provides cover when you miss your flight due to unforeseen circumstances, helping you meet the cost of additional accommodation and travel expenses. For example, if you're involved in a car accident on the way to the airport and are unable to make your flight, your insurer will be able to offer financial protection.
• Travel Disruption: A travel disruption is an event that is beyond your control and has impacted or has reasonable cause to impact your travel plans. Travel disruptions can include needing to return home if a family member has fallen ill as well as things like bad weather and airport strikes.

Remember that most basic travel insurance policies won't include cancellation cover. For the few that do, they still might not cover you for other expenses related to your flights like travel delay. Similarly, if you have to fly home while you are still away because a loved one has fallen ill, a basic policy won't cover the costs.

When am I not covered for cancellations or missed flights?

Instead of assuming that travel insurance will cover your cancelled or missed flights in any circumstances, keep in mind that the following exclusions apply on most policies. Your claim will usually not be paid if:

• Your flight is cancelled due to mechanical problems with the aircraft. The need for repairs to the aircraft or due to overbooking. In these situations it is the airline's responsibility to see that you are reimbursed or that you can be put on an alternative flight.
• You're late for a flight due to your own negligence. If you mis-read your departure time or if you didn't leave enough time to make it to the airport, your policy won't cover you.
• When your flight is cancelled or delayed due to a reason not covered by travel insurance. Any other related claims like the cost of pre booked accommodation won't be covered.
• You travel against the advice of a medical practitioner. This also goes for any accompanying travellers as well.
• You booked connecting flights that were too close together. This comes down to negligence since you didn't allow enough time for you to make it from one aircraft to the next.
• You missed your flight due to errors. Errors include omissions in your booking arrangements, or because you failed to obtain the appropriate visa, or even if you've forgotten to renew your passport.
• Your airline offers you financial compensation. If your airline offers you a reasonable alternative, your claim may be rejected.
• If you miss a flight due to an insured event and then book another ticket in a higher class. Your insurer will most likely only cover the cost of the original ticket you booked.

What will my airline cover me for?

Although policies differ between airlines, your carrier will usually provide you with cover for missed and cancelled flights in the following circumstances:

• If your flight is overbooked and you are reallocated to another one
• If the airline loses or damages your baggage on an international flight
• If you miss your flight due to a mechanical issue with the plane
• If the airline is responsible for your death or personal injury
• If your flight is delayed or cancelled because the aircraft is undergoing maintenance or because of a lack of crew members

However, you will most likely not be covered in the following situations:

• If the delay or cancellation is caused by bad weather or a natural disaster
• If your claim results due to war, terrorism or industrial dispute
• If you ditch your flight plans entirely and decide to use an alternative method of transport
• If you suffer from a pre-existing condition and you fall ill during your flight

Finally, it's worth pointing out that you may have different rights for compensation or reimbursement when you are travelling on a discount fare instead of a full fare, so check the fine print on your booking for more details.

Finally, some good news! Domestic travel is picking up, so some insurers have started offering cover again 🦘
Just remember, you won't be covered for any pandemic related claims if you do take out domestic travel insurance.
International travel insurance is limited and sometimes unavailable at this point.

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*30 year old trip to Bali 27/08/19
*30 year old trip within Australia 27/08/19

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