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What to do if Your Flight is Delayed or Cancelled

Follow these travel insurance tips if your flight is delayed or cancelled.

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As British travellers, we eagerly embark on our adventures with visions of new horizons and exciting experiences. However, the reality is that sometimes our journeys can be disrupted by unexpected flight cancellations or delays.

These unwelcome surprises can throw our meticulously planned itineraries into disarray and leave us feeling frustrated and helpless. However, armed with the right knowledge and recourse, we can navigate these situations with confidence and ease. One essential aspect that can come to our rescue in such times is travel insurance.

A travel insurance policy tailored to our needs provides us with invaluable protection and support, particularly when unforeseen events arise. From lost luggage to medical emergencies, travel insurance safeguards us against financial burdens and ensures a smoother journey. Crucially, it can also offer specific provisions to cover flight cancellations or delays, helping us regain control of our travel plans. So, let's dive in and learn how to navigate flight delays and cancellations like a pro!

Step 1: Stay calm and gather information

Take a deep breath and try not to panic. Flight disruptions happen, and you'll get through this.

  • Check the airport screens (if you’re already there) or your airline's mobile app for real-time updates on your flight status.
  • If you can't find any information, head to the airline's customer service desk or call their helpline. Get up to speed and stay informed.

Step 2: Know your rights

  • Airlines operating in the United Kingdom are bound by various regulations, including the European Union's Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, commonly known as EU261.
  • This regulation outlines the rights of air passengers in the event of flight disruptions, empowering us with clear entitlements and potential compensation.
  • According to this regulation, you may be entitled to compensation, care, and assistance depending on the circumstances of your delay or cancellation.
  • Compensation amounts can vary based on the length of the delay, distance of the flight, and whether the disruption was within the airline's control.

Step 3: Seek compensation and assistance

  • If your flight is cancelled or delayed for more than three hours, and the airline is responsible for the disruption, you may be entitled to compensation.
  • Approach the airline's customer service desk and request the necessary forms to file a claim for compensation. Alternatively, you can request a refund form online through the airline’s website.
  • Be sure to collect any relevant documentation, such as boarding passes and receipts for additional expenses incurred due to the delay or cancellation.

Step 4: Make alternate arrangements

  • Your airline is legally bound to provide you with alternative travel arrangements in the event of a cancellation.
  • Depending on the length of the delay or cancellation, you might need to make new travel arrangements.
  • If your flight is delayed overnight or cancelled, the airline should provide you with accommodation, meals, and transportation if needed.
  • If the airline doesn't provide these services, keep all receipts and consider claiming these expenses as part of your compensation (from the airline).

Step 5: Document everything

  • Keep a record of all communication with the airline, including names, dates, and times of conversations or emails.
  • Take photos or screenshots of any relevant information, such as flight status screens or announcements.
  • These records will be valuable if you need to escalate your claim or seek legal advice.

Step 6: Check your travel insurance

Travel insurance may be able to step in where your airline falls short. Here are some situations where travel insurance may be able to provide some relief.

  • If an airline refused to provide meal or lodging vouchers, you may be able to claim for reimbursement of those expenses after a delay of 12 or more hours.
  • If your delayed or cancelled flight caused you to miss pre-paid accommodation or tours, you may be able to claim reimbursement for those unused, pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs.
  • If you’re stuck overnight and your airline can’t deliver your checked baggage for more than 24 hours, you can claim for reimbursement of essential toiletries and a change of clothes under your baggage insurance benefits.

World Nomads offers a Standard Plan and an Explorer Plan, which have different per-day and maximum benefit limits. Read your chosen plan thoroughly to understand the benefit limits. Read your chosen plan thoroughly to understand the benefit limits.

What's excluded?

Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything. Exclusions include, but are not limited to:

  • Luxury hotel suites and the most expensive thing on the menu. Travel insurance is meant to cover reasonable out-of-pocket expenses if you’re delayed.
  • Flight delays of less than 12 hours.
  • Baggage delays of less than 24 hours.
  • Expenses that have been reimbursed by your airline.

Experiencing a flight delay or cancellation can be frustrating, but knowing your rights and taking the appropriate steps can make the situation more manageable. Stay calm, gather information, seek compensation, and document everything. By following these tips, you'll be well-prepared to navigate flight disruptions like a seasoned traveller. 

This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions of the policy. You should read your PDS in full, so you understand what is and isn’t covered. If you are unsure about your level of travel coverage, please contact us for help.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Been working hard for your trip?

We'll work hard to protect it.

Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy in an accident?
  • Sudden death of an immediate relative?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Expenses

Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transportation

Know where the nearest hospital is?

Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.

Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Injured abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medical evacuation home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Love photography, filming or sport?

Cover your bags, tech or gear.

Protect your gear
  • Passport or tech stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
  • Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
  • Trip Cancellation or Interruption
  • 24-Hour Assistance Services
  • Baggage
  • And more (depending on your country of residence)
*This is a general summary only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Coverage may not be available for all countries, states or provinces. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Get a quote for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.

Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?

Contact the team
Photo © Getty Images / John Coletti

Seguro viagem para o Equador

Confira nossos planos de Seguro Viagem que podem ajudar a protegê-lo em sua viagem ao Equador.

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Um país relativamente pequeno, porém repleto de experiências incríveis para o viajante aventureiro. No Equador, você pode escalar vulcões, andar de bicicleta nos Andes, flutuar em meio à selva, pescar piranhas - emoções são o que não faltam. E isso sem falar na incrível vida selvagem que você vai explorar nas Ilhas Galápagos!

Mas junto com as aventuras vêm os riscos. E se acontecer um desastre natural ou você sofrer um acidente longe de algum centro urbano? Ao planejar as férias dos seus sonhos, uma apólice de seguro é uma boa ideia para ajudá-lo a lidar com eventos inesperados e inconvenientes.

San Rafael (Coca) Falls on Quijos River
San Rafael (Coca) Falls on Quijos River. Photo credit: Getty Images / Kevin Schafer

Por que o Seguro Viagem é importante

Uma viagem única para mergulhar com tubarões, tartarugas marinhas e arraias em Galápagos significa um alto investimento. Um Seguro Viagem que cobre bagagem extraviada e emergências médicas pode ajudar a proteger esse investimento caso algo inesperado aconteça.

Uma plano de Seguro Viagem da World Nomads pode oferecer cobertura para:

  • Bagagem extraviada ou perdida
  • Cancelamento ou interrupção da viagem
  • Objetos pessoais roubados
  • Seguro médico no exterior e cobertura para eventos relacionados ao Coronavírus
  • Mais de 150 atividades e esportes no Equador

Ao que devo ficar atento quando viajar para o Equador?

Se você procura praias tranquilas ou montanhas cobertas de neve, o Equador tem tudo para fazer de uma visita as melhores férias da sua vida! Mas as coisas podem não sair conforme o planejado. Saber que você pode resolver problemas financeiros, médicos ou logísticos por meio de sua apólice de seguro representa um grande conforto. Alguns dos eventos inesperados com os quais podemos ajudá-lo incluem:

Embora o Brasil e o Equador sejam vizinhos próximos, as companhias aéreas ainda podem extraviar ou perder sua bagagem. Se isso acontecer, certifique-se de seguir todos os procedimentos de comunicação corretos no aeroporto e a World Nomads poderá fornecer a você uma muda de roupa e itens pessoais até que as coisas sejam resolvidas.

Com tanto a se fazer no Equador, você provavelmente passou muito tempo planejando a sua viagem. Mas se algo inesperado, como uma doença ou um acidente, acontecer um pouco antes da partida, ou mesmo durante a viagem, seu seguro pode ajudá-lo a recuperar parte de suas perdas.

  • Objetos pessoais roubados

As cidades maiores, como Quito e Cuenca, oferecem uma fascinante mistura de história e cultura indígena e espanhola, incluindo um dos maiores mercados ao ar livre da América Latina. Mas se você for roubado enquanto admira o artesanato local, nossa linha direta 24 horas pode indicar a delegacia de polícia mais próxima e ajudá-lo a obter documentos temporários. Também podemos ajudá-lo a receber fundos transferidos por sua família no Brasil.

Se você se machucar em uma caminhada até os famosos lagos de cratera ou em uma expedição de rafting das montanhas para a selva, nossa equipe de assistentes pode ajudá-lo a encontrar o centro médico mais próximo. Se a lesão for grave, a World Nomads também poderá ajudar a providenciar uma evacuação de emergência para o Brasil.

Infelizmente, os efeitos da pandemia ainda fazem parte de nossas vidas; portanto, se você adoecer com um problema médico relacionado ao Coronavírus, seu seguro poderá ajudar com internações hospitalares e medicamentos.

A World Nomads desenvolveu um seguro abrangente para o viajante aventureiro com cobertura para mais de 150 esportes e atividades radicais. Com novas experiências incríveis sendo lançadas no Equador, como tirolesa em alta altitude e balanços à beira de penhascos, é importante que você leia as diferentes apólices - Standard, Explorer e Explorer Plus - e decida qual é a certa para o tipo de férias que pretende tirar.

Guayas Province, Guayaquil, Las Penas
Guayas Province, Guayaquil, Las Penas. Photo credit: Getty Images / Westend61

O que não está coberto?

Claro, nenhuma apólice de seguro pode cobrir absolutamente tudo, e há uma série de situações para as quais a World Nomads não fornecerá assistência ou reembolso. Elas  podem incluir:

  • Praticar esportes não cobertos pelo plano adquirido. Sempre verifique o que está e o que não está incluso antes de fazer uma apólice e antes de se inscrever em um novo esporte radical, ok?
  • Se você não cuidou bem de si mesmo ou de seus pertences. Portanto, se você deixou suas coisas sem vigilância enquanto aproveitava a vida noturna de Quito ou seguia as iguanas na praia de Galápagos, não poderemos oferecer cobertura.
  • Tratamento para condições médicas pré-existentes ou se sua viagem foi planejada especificamente para receber cuidados de saúde especializados.

Claro, este é apenas um breve guia para o seguro durante sua viagem ao Equador. Então, antes de ir para o “centro do mundo”, não hesite em entrar em contato para obter informações mais detalhadas sobre as diferentes apólices e coberturas disponíveis.

 

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Been working hard for your trip?

We'll work hard to protect it.

Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Expenses

Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transportation

Know where the nearest hospital is?

Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.

Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medivac home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Love photography, filming or sport?

Cover your bags, tech or gear.

Protect your gear
  • Passport stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
  • Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
  • Trip Cancellation or Interruption
  • 24-Hour Assistance Services
  • Baggage
  • And more (depending on your country of residence)
*This is a general summary only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Coverage may not be available for all countries, states or provinces. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Get a quote for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.

Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?

Contact the team

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A person hiking in front of a mountain