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Travel Insurance for trip delays

What happens if I hit a scheduling snag?

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You’ve been planning your trip to the Galapagos Islands (and dreaming about frolicking sea turtles) for months… and now your trip is finally here. You’ve checked in your gear and are ready for your flight – only to be alerted that a storm is rolling in and you won’t be able to leave until the following day.

Unfortunately, while irksome incidents such as trip delays are rarely anticipated, they can happen. And when they do, knowing you have travel insurance in your back pocket can help get your trip back on track… and calm you down fast.


What's covered under trip delay

There are a several events that can cause a trip delay. World Nomads covers delays of six hours or more when caused by:

  • A delay of your common carrier (including inclement weather)
  • A traffic accident on the way to the airport that you’re not directly involved in;
  • Unannounced employee strikes.
  • Lost or stolen passports or other documents.
  • Civil commotion or riot.
  • Closed roadways that stop you from getting to your destination. 

Don’t forget to read your World Nomads policy, which explains in more detail the types of situations that are covered under trip delay. Also, when you get a quote, you can compare our Standard and Explorer plans side by side so you can compare the benefit maximums in each. 

If the reason for your trip delay is covered, then you could be reimbursed up to the maximum plan benefit for:

  • Basic expenses, such as food, local transportation and accommodation, that you had to pay for because of the delay;
  • Any non-refundable, pre-paid portions of your trip that you’ve had to forfeit because of the delay (such as a hotel night or a tour).

Check out our article on baggage delay, in case your bags also take a detour en route to your destination.

How to file a claim

To help ensure a seamless reimbursement, you will want to hold on to any receipts or other documentation for World Nomads, because (sadly) we can’t travel with you, so we have no way of knowing what happened.

World Nomads trip delay coverage is secondary to any reimbursement provided by your airline or other transportation provider. Reach out to your airline first to ask for hotel and meal vouchers, and make sure you get documentation from your airline listing the original and revised departure times and the reason for the delay.

When you submit your claim, provide the airline documentation and proof of travel, along with receipts for your out-of-pocket expenses. See our How to Make a Claim article for step-by-step instructions.


What's not covered under trip delay

Not every incident that can cause a trip delay is going to be claimable... here are a few things that aren’t covered:

  • Delays of less than six hours. Are they inconvenient? Yes. But hey, an extra few hours is more likely to give you spare time to stroll a medieval village or browse the airport bookshop for the latest best-sellers than to totally ruin your trip, so they are not covered.
  • Personal delays. So, your flight left but you weren’t on it. Whether or not you can be reimbursed for your delay will depend on why you missed the flight. Things like oversleeping and missing your ride or just not leaving yourself enough time to get to the airport and through airport security are not incidents that World Nomads is going to reimburse you for.
  • Reimbursement for expenses above the per day and maximum benefit. Be sure to read your schedule of benefits to check the per-day limits, and give us a call if you have any questions.

What's the difference between trip delay and trip interruption?

When it comes to World Nomads, a Trip Delay is defined as when you are delayed for at least six hours, hindering you from getting to your destination.

A Trip Interruption is when something happens that prevents you from taking advantage of your full itinerary or causes you to end your trip early, such as breaking your leg during a ski trip, and your doctor advises returning home from so that you can recover. It’s not fun, but as we all learned, it happens. For more information on Trip Interruption, go to our Help Center.


This is not a full list of what is and isn’t covered, so please check your policy for a full list of terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions that may apply to your specific plan. Any example scenarios provided above are not a guarantee of coverage. All claims are subject to review, require documentation and are considered individually. If you have any questions about what is and is not covered, please reach out – we’re happy to help.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Protection

Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.

  • Explorer Plan: $10,000
  • Standard Plan: $2,500
Trip Protection
  • Work emergency?
  • Weather delay?
  • Travel companion sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

  • Explorer Plan: $100,000
  • Standard Plan: $100,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?
  • Need a hospital urgently?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Evacuation

We'll provide assistance to get you to the hospital or home quickly.

  • Explorer Plan: $500,000
  • Standard Plan: $300,000
Emergency Evacuation
  • Ambulance transfers
  • Medevac flights
  • Medical escort services

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Covers the loss, theft or damage of your bags, tech and gear.

  • Explorer Plan: $3,000
  • Standard Plan: $1,000
Protect your gear
  • Stolen I.D.s
  • Checked-in sports equipment
  • Damaged luggage

Help starts here.

  • Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical Expense
  • Repatriation of Remains
  • Trip Cancellation
  • Trip Interruption
  • Trip Delay
  • Baggage & Personal Effects
  • Baggage Delay (outward journey only)
  • Rental Car Damage – where permissible
  • Accidental Death & Dismemberment
  • Generali Global Assistance 24-Hour Assistance Services
  • Generali Global Assistance Non-Medical Emergency Transportation Services
This is a general summary for US residents only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Check the plan documents for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.

Wherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.

Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?

Contact Generali Global Assistance:
Telephone: +1 954-334-8143 (Collect outside the US)
+1 877-289-0968 (Toll-free in the US and Canada

Contact the team

Travel insurance. Simple & flexible.

Travel insurance for independent travelers and intrepid families. Nobody wants to think about all the things that could go wrong on their trip, but these things can and do happen. So be prepared and get your travel insurance today.

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