Flight Delays, Floods, And Cancellations: What Travel Insurance Really Covers

News18

2 days ago

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Experts stress the need for comprehensive travel insurance in India due to rising climate uncertainty. Discover what it covers and why it's essential.
Travel Insurance In India: When planning trips to domestic or international destinations, the idea of purchasing travel insurance rarely crosses the minds of many Indian travelers. They often consider it an unaffordable luxury due to budget constraints. However, unpredictable weather and increasing climate uncertainty are starting to change this perspective.
Experts say the need for comprehensive coverage is growing, especially in the face of rising climate uncertainty.
What Does Travel Insurance Cover?
Travel insurance is traditionally known for covering medical emergencies, accidents, and loss of baggage or documents. However, its importance during weather-related disruptions is being increasingly considered.
'Flights may be cancelled for various reasons, including inclement weather, but travel insurance doesn't cover weather itself—it covers the consequences like trip cancellation or delay," explains R Balasundaram, Secretary General of the Insurance Brokers Association of India (IBAI). He also clarifies that cancellations by tour operators in package trips are not recoverable under most policies.
Extreme Weather and Claims
According to Vivek Chaturvedi, CMO & Head of Direct Sales at Digit Insurance, 'Flight delays and trip cancellations are the most common claims during extreme weather events like floods or heavy rain. Such incidents directly disrupt travel plans and trigger insurance claims if delays exceed the minimum time specified."
He adds that travel insurance can also support in rare but severe cases like accidents at airports or natural disasters.
Post-pandemic and amid climate disruption, travelers are opting for more robust insurance. 'Many now prefer higher sum-insured policies—ranging from $250,000 to $500,000—to cover medical costs, fraud, or last-minute cancellations," Chaturvedi says.
First Published:
June 03, 2025, 11:09 IST