Will travel insurance provide coverage from the European travel strikes?

Most travel insurance policies can offer coverage to travelers who are forced to cancel their trip due to a strike of their travel supplier. However, the policy must be purchased before the strike is announced in order for the policyholder to be eligible for coverage.

In the event you are disrupted by the ongoing European strikes, you may be eligible for coverage under the following benefits as long as the strike meets your policy’s definition of a covered event:

• Trip Cancellation: If you are forced to cancel your trip due to the ongoing European travel strikes, you may be eligible for 100% reimbursement for nonrefundable trip costs. This can include flights, hotels, tours or excursions. In order for coverage to apply, your flight must be delayed by 6-48 hours, depending on the policy.
• Travel Delay: If the strikes cause delays during your journey, and the delay meets the criteria outlined in the policy, you may be eligible for reimbursement for meal and accommodation reimbursement. Typically, a delay must last at least 3-12 hours, depending on the policy, before coverage can apply.
• Trip Interruption: If you’re already traveling, and an unforeseen strike impacts your outbound flights back home, Trip Interruption coverage could reimburse you for replacement airfare as well as unused trip costs should you need to return home earlier than expected.  
• Missed Connection: If a travel supplier strike causes you to miss a connecting flight, your policy’s Missed Connection benefit can reimburse you for additional transportation expenses required to catch up with your trip as scheduled. You may also be eligible for reimbursement for unused trip costs if the delay causes you to miss out on your trip itinerary.

This information can vary based on the travel insurance policy. Please review the policy certificate to verify coverage. If you have questions about a specific policy, please contact us directly at 800-240-0369. Our customer service representatives are available from 8am to 10pm ET daily and are delighted to help!