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The recent global computer outage that caused major travel disruptions underscores the importance of having a travel insurance policy. According to experts at InsureMyTrip, travel insurance can provide valuable assistance during tech outages and IT system failures that impact flights and travel, particularly plans that include Travel Delay and Missed Connection coverages.
Key Travel Insurance Benefits
Travel Delay provides reimbursement for expenses related to covered delays that meet the required number of hours, such as meals, transportation, and accommodations if an overnight stay is required.
Missed Connection offers coverage if a delayed flight (for example, three hours or more) causes a traveler to miss a cruise or tour departure.
Emergency Assistance Services are available to policyholders, helping them rebook flights or find other services needed during flight delays or cancellations.
Comprehensive Plans include the most benefits of all plan types, offering the best protection for the investment. These plans cover:
Trip Cancellation
Travel Delay
Trip Interruption
Baggage Loss/Delay
24-hour Assistance
Travel Medical
“It’s important to read your policy to understand what issues may be covered, and now that this is a known issue, coverage can’t be purchased for it,” says InsureMyTrip Director of Product Meghan Walch.
Airline Delay and Cancellation Policies
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) enacted new rules this year requiring airlines to provide passengers with automatic cash refunds when a carrier significantly changes a flight or significantly delays a flight or baggage. However, these rules apply only to issues within the airline’s control. For incidents outside the airline’s control, such as weather or system-wide failures, carriers are not required to provide compensation to impacted passengers. Travelers concerned about protecting pre-paid, non-refundable trip expenses should consider travel insurance.
Filing a Claim for Tech Outages or IT System Failures
Hundreds of policyholders may be looking to file a claim after the outage impacted their travels. While InsureMyTrip does not handle claims directly (those are handled by providers), here are some tips to expedite the travel insurance claims process:
Know your plan: Carefully read the wording in your policy to understand coverage details and the claims process.
Have documents ready: Compile receipts and proof of expenses, including:
Receipts and itemized bills for all expenses
Unused travel tickets and proof of payment for those tickets
Proof from the airline that baggage was lost or delayed
File right away: Claims may take additional time to process due to volume, so don’t wait. Some plans may even have cut-off dates.
File online: Submit a claim on the provider’s online portal when possible. This can speed up the process and allow you to check the status of your claim. If it has been more than three months without a decision, InsureMyTrip representatives can help contact the provider to see what’s holding things up.
The post Travel Insurance: Your Safety Net Against Tech Disruptions : What you need to know appeared first on Travel And Tour World.