No one wants to start or return from their trip with travel delays that result in trying to book new flights or sleeping on an airport terminal floor. Whether it’s a sudden thunderstorm, tropical system, a snowstorm, an airline mechanical issue, an unexpected shortage in crew members for the flight, lost or stolen passports, civil or natural disasters, delays are an unfortunate reality of modern travel.
If you find yourself watching the departure board push your flight back hour after hour or scrambling to make new travel arrangements, Trip Delay Insurance Coverage can turn a highly stressful situation into a manageable one. Understanding everything you need to know about how TME Travel Insurance coverage works, what it pays for, and how to use it can put you at ease when the unexpected happens.
What is Trip Delay Insurance?
Trip Delay coverage reimburses you for reasonable, unexpected expenses incurred if your travel is delayed for a specified minimum amount of time. Instead of paying out of pocket for an overpriced airport meal or a last-minute hotel room, this coverage acts as a financial safety net while you wait for your travel to resume.
Depending on the plan you select, the time requirements and coverage limits may vary. Here are the specifics for the TME Comprehensive Plans Travel Delay benefit on a per person basis:
| TME Plan Tier | Minimum Delay Required | Daily Limit (per person) | Maximum Benefit (per person) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choice Plan | 18 hours or more | $100 per day | Up to $500 max |
| Preferred Plan | 12 hours or more | $200 per day | Up to $1,000 max |
| Elite Plan | 6 hours or more | $300 per day | Up to $2,000 max |
(Note: TME’s Emergency Medical & Evacuation Plan also includes a Trip Delay benefit of up to $150 per day, up to a $2,000 maximum.)
What Does Trip Delay Actually Cover?
When a covered delay hits the minimum hour requirement on your plan, you can be reimbursed for the essentials. Typical covered expenses include:
- Accommodations: A hotel room should you get stuck with overnight delays.
- Real Meals: No need to hit the vending machine, have breakfast, lunch, or dinner while you wait out the delay.
- Local Transportation: Taxis or rideshares for both travel to and from the hotel and airport.
For travelers who choose the TME’s Elite Plan, there is even a provision that covers up to $125 in additional Kennel Fees if you are delayed getting back home to your pets!
Typical Covered Reasons for a Delay
It is important to note that you aren’t covered just because you ran late to the airport. The delay must be something outside your control and considered a covered hazard outlined in your plan. Common covered reasons include:
- Severe Weather: Weather conditions (like blizzards, hurricanes or severe thunderstorms) that postpone the scheduled arrival or departure of a common carrier.
- Traffic Accidents: A traffic accident that happens en route to your departure that blocks the road to the airport causing you to miss your flight and the need to rebook.
- Common Carrier Delays: Unannounced strikes, mechanical breakdowns, or equipment failure of your flight or cruise ship.
- Lost Documents or Quarantine: Delays caused by lost or stolen passports, travel documents, money, or unexpected quarantine.
- Natural Disasters: Civil commotion, riots, or natural disasters disrupting your route.
How to File Trip Delay Claim Without The Headaches
If you are delayed and anticipate filing a claim, a little planning will make the process much smoother when you get home:
- Get Proof of the Delay: Ask the airline ticket counter for a formal statement (or save the emails/app notifications) detailing the exact cause and length of the delay.
- Save Every Receipt: Keep itemized receipts for your meals, hotel, and transportation. Even a simple screen shot or picture of the receipt on your mobile device you can refer back to later can save you time trying to find these items later. Credit card statements are good supporting documents—but you should keep the actual receipt showing what was purchased.
- Keep Your Itinerary: Save your original boarding passes, ticket stubs, and any updated tickets or digital itinerary the airline issues you.
Taking these steps can really make the TME Travel Insurance online claim submission quick and easy, without trying to track these items down after you return.
Protect Your Next Departure
A long delay that is covered under a travel insurance plan doesn’t have to derail your trip or cost you more for your trip than planned. By securing a TME Travel Insurance plan before you depart, you can grab a warm meal, a comfortable bed and some reassurance that you will have coverage for the expenses you incur and not feel the need to cozy up with on the airport floor or an uncomfortable seat overnight while you wait at the gate.