Your flight to Seattle was supposed to depart at 7:15 AM. Then it was delayed to 8:32 AM. Now it’s taking off at 2:49 PM... you hope.

Long flight delays can make even the most seasoned travelers lose their cool. It’s hard to deal with the  uncertainty, the stress, and the aggravation of being told to wait—over and over and over again.

Luckily, travel insurance can help when your flight is delayed. What does travel insurance cover, and how do you know when it’s time to give up and cancel your trip? We’ll answer travelers’ top questions about dealing with long delays.

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How many times can a flight be delayed?

There’s no limit on how many times an airline can push back a flight. Plenty of travelers have horror stories to share about flights being delayed 7 times, or 10 times, or even 14. Sometimes these stories end up with a triumphant takeoff, and sometimes they end when the flight is canceled for good.

What is the 3-hour rule for airlines?

If you’re flying out of a U.S. airport and your flight is delayed while you’re on the tarmac, the airline is required to let you safely get off before 3 hours have passed (for domestic flights; the rule is 4 hours for international flights.) The same rule applies to flights landing at U.S. airports.¹

The airline can make an exception to this rule for safety, security, or air traffic control-related reasons. And if you get off the plane, the airline is not required to let you back on.

Will the airline compensate me for a long delay?

You might get something, but probably not cash. No U.S. airline has committed to giving passengers cash compensation when a cancellation or delay (within the airline’s control) results in a passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time.

U.S. airlines have agreed to a) rebook a passenger on the same airline for no additional cost following a significant delay and b) provide a meal or cash/voucher for a meal for a controllable 3+ hour delay.²

Depending on the airline, your flight delay compensation could also include:

• A free hotel stay for an overnight delay: Most airlines offer this, along with free ground transportation to the hotel.
• Rebooking on another airline at no additional cost: Most airlines will offer to rebook you on an allied airline if there’s a significant delay.
• A credit or travel voucher: A few airlines will give you a voucher you can use on a future flight, if you’re delayed more than three hours.
• Frequent flyer miles: A few airlines offer bonus miles to delayed passengers.

If a flight is delayed for a reason out of the airline’s control, such as bad weather, U.S. airlines are only required to give you a refund (if you choose not to fly) or a seat on a different flight.

You’re also entitled to a refund if an airline makes a significant schedule change and/or significantly delays a flight and you choose not to travel. However, there’s no official definition of what “significant” means.

What does travel delay insurance cover?

The travel delay benefit in your insurance plan can do a lot to make flight delays better. Travel insurance can reimburse you for:

• Prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses lost because of a covered delay
• Additional eligible expenses for meals, accommodation, communication, and transportation during a covered delay

Check your plan’s maximum dollar limit (per person and per day) for travel delay benefits, as well as the minimum required delay and the covered reasons for a travel delay.

Will insurance pay if a flight is delayed?

If you have OneTrip Prime or OneTrip Premier, both these plans can give you an automatic payment of $100 per insured person, per day, for a covered flight delay.

This perk—called SmartBenefits®—doesn’t require you to submit receipts for reimbursement. You just get the money, whether by direct payment to your debit card or direct deposit. If you end up spending more than $100 on covered expenses during the delay, then you can submit a claim with receipts for the remaining expenses (up to the maximum benefit limit specified in your plan.) Please note that SmartBenefits are not available in all states.

If you have a different travel insurance plan with the travel delay benefit, you can be reimbursed for certain losses caused by a covered delay: your lost prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses, as well as eligible expenses for meals, accommodations, etc. (up to the maximum limit in your plan).

What should I do if my flight is delayed for a really long time—or canceled?

1. Don't panic.There's usually a way to get your travel plans back on track, and we’re here to help. Even if your cruise or tour has already departed, it may be possible to catch up at the next port or stop. If you're feeling angry or overwhelmed, try to regain your calm. Airline representatives will try harder to help you if you're patient and polite.
2. Understand all your options. If you have Allianz Travel Insurance, you have choices. For example, let’s say your long-delayed flight to Seattle ends up getting canceled, and you’re rebooked on an 8 AM flight the next day. Now, you have to decide what to do:
   • You could accept the later flight and file a travel delay claim, so you can be reimbursed for lost prepaid expenses plus eligible expenses during the delay.
   • You could try to find an earlier flight, or travel a different way. Ask the airline if they can book you on an earlier flight. If your arrival is delayed at least 24 hours from the originally scheduled time, your trip cancellation benefits can reimburse you for the reasonable cost of alternate transportation if you can get to your destination another way (up to the maximum limit in your plan, minus any refunds). This could mean flying on a different airline, flying a different route, or even taking the train or a rental car.
   • You could cancel the trip. If your travel carrier can’t get you to your planned destination for at least 24 consecutive hours from the originally scheduled arrival time due to a covered reason (such as a natural disaster or severe weather), that can be a covered reason for trip cancellation or trip interruption. And if you miss at least 50% of the length of your trip due to a travel carrier delay (or another covered reason), that can be a covered reason for trip interruption. This means you can file a claim to be reimbursed for your nonrefundable, unused prepaid expenses. Be sure to notify all your travel providers and your insurer as soon as possible once you decide to cancel.
3. Call us. If you have Allianz Travel Insurance, you're never traveling alone. Contact us on the Allyz® app or call our 24-hour hotline: 1-800-654-1908 (from the U.S.) or 1-804-281-5700 (collect). While we can’t pay travel costs up front, we can help you contact airlines and figure out new travel arrangements.
4. Document all delays. Take pictures of flight status screens. Save email and text updates from the airline. Write down details like when your flight was canceled, when you spoke to airline representatives, and what they said.

What proof do I need for a delayed flight claim?

When you’re filing a claim related to a delayed flight, it helps to have the following documents.

Proof of delay:  This can be any documentation from your travel supplier, such as an email, a text, a screenshot of the changed itinerary, etc.

Receipt(s) for expenses incurred: Keep itemized receipts (such as credit card statements, email confirmation of payments, paper receipts, etc.) for all expenses incurred due to your trip delay.

Trip itinerary: Provide a copy of your original trip itinerary for all trip components you are claiming (air, cruise, tour, etc.). Your trip itinerary should include traveler information, trip details, a breakdown of costs, and payment information.

Always read your policy documents carefully so you understand your coverage, and contact Allianz Travel Insurance if you have any questions. Safe — and swift — travels!

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