The most common misconceptions about winter travel coverage
Travel insurance comparison site Squaremouth asked providers to share the most common misconceptions about winter travel coverage, and explain what travellers should know when searching for a policy for their winter trip.
The first was ‘I can wait to see if the weather looks bad before buying’. According to Squaremouth, if the forecast for your upcoming trip looks bleak, it might already be too late to buy a policy. “Travel insurance is designed to cover unforeseen events,” the site explained. “Once a winter storm is named, it is considered foreseen, and new policies will no longer provide coverage for that storm.”
The second misconception cited was ‘I’m automatically covered if my flight is delayed’. Squaremouth says that travel delays are the most common weather-related claim during the winter months, but it is important that travellers understand their policies’ minimum delay requirements. “Policyholders often make the mistake of assuming that any delay on their airline flight makes them eligible for coverage,” said APRIL travel protection CEO Jason Schreier. “One of the most common reasons that claims are denied is because the minimum number of hours haven’t passed in order for coverage to apply.”
Thirdly, Squaremouth lists ‘I’m covered for any bad weather that affects my trip’ as another common misconception. The site says that winter weather can affect travel in many different ways – for example, heavy snow or icy roads could make it difficult to get to the airport, but many policies don’t provide coverage for poor road conditions. “Policies can vary greatly in what scenarios trigger coverage,” said Squaremouth spokesperson Rachael Taft. “If you have specific concerns about winter weather affecting your trip, look closely at the language before choosing a policy. Better yet, call and speak to an agent, and they can help you find the right fit.”