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 BACB 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, BACB'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, BACB'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.
