Missed flights

If you are unfortunate enough to miss a flight, what can you do?

In most circumstances, you’ll probably just want to book alternative travel arrangements as quickly as possible and carry on with your journey. But how can you cover the cost?

If the delay wasn’t your fault and was due to any of the circumstances set out below, travel insurance from IrishSavings may offer some comfort and peace of mind.

What circumstances are covered?

If you took public transport to the airport and it failed to get you there in time due to:

  • adverse weather conditions
  • mechanical failure
  • strike, industrial action or
  • because it was involved in an accident.

Or if you took your own vehicle to the airport and it broke down or was involved in an accident.

What cover is provided?

If you miss your flight due to any of the reasons mentioned above, IrishSavings's standard travel insurance (provided by FirstAssist) could provide up to €1,000 to help you cover the cost of a replacement flight or another form of transport to help you reach your destination.

It can also be used to cover the costs of any reasonable and necessary additional accommodation.

Are there any conditions?

These include the following:

  • where you do not allow sufficient time for your public transport to arrive on schedule at your departure point the protection won't apply
  • where industrial action, adverse weather conditions or a strike had started or were publicly declared before your booked your flight or before you took out the insurance policy the protection won't apply
  • if you’re travelling in your own car it must be properly serviced and maintained
  • you must be flying to a destination outside of the UK.

What about connecting flights?

If you miss a connecting flight because your first flight was delayed you should try to recover the cost of a replacement flight from the airline.

If you miss a connecting flight due to any of the reasons explained in the section above, IrishSavings's standard travel insurance could cover the cost of a replacement flight where:

  • your connecting flight is from the last departure point in the UK, for example, if your flight from Glasgow to Heathrow is delayed for one of the specified reasons causing you to miss your international departure from Heathrow overseas or
  • (on your return journey) you miss your connecting flight at your final international departure point for your return to  the UK

up to the value of €1,000.

How do I book a replacement flight?

When you book a replacement flight you’ll need to pay for it initially and claim back the cost later. So before you head off, you may want to check that you have access to sufficient funds to do this.

Terms & conditions

What IS NOT covered: (1) Any trips within the UK (except for trips to the Channel Islands). (2) Any claim unless you have written confirmation from the carrier or their handling agents detailing the reason for the delay, the scheduled departure time and the actual departure time. (3) Any additional expenses incurred as a result of a delay to your original scheduled departure time (4) Any claim where the carrier or their handling agents provide alternative transport which departs within 12 hours of the original scheduled departure time (5) Any claim as a result of the airline over booking your flight (6) Any claim as a result of strike or industrial action, delays or disruptions arising from weather conditions which had started or were publicly declared on or before the date your Policy Schedule is issued or on or before the date you booked your trip, whichever is later (7) Any claim as a result of your failure to check-in at your departure point by the time shown on your travel itinerary except in those circumstances outlined in point 3 (8) Any claim as a result of heavy traffic, road closures or an accident that you are not directly involved in (9) Any claim as a result of your failure to allow sufficient time for the public transport to arrive on schedule and deliver you to your departure point (10) Any claim as a result of your private motor vehicle in which you are travelling not having been properly serviced and maintained, in the event of vehicle breakdown (11) Anything specifically excluded under the General exclusions section of your policy on pages 60-63

Travel Insurance is provided by FirstAssist Insurance Services, which is a trading style of Cigna Insurance Services (Europe) Limited and underwritten by Great Lakes Reinsurance (UK) PLC. Cigna Insurance Services (Europe) Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Great Lakes Reinsurance (UK) PLC is authorised by the National Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the National Regulation Authority.

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