Record Flight Cancellations Spur Demand For Travel Insurance

WARWICK, R.I., Feb. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Top travel insurance comparison site InsureMyTrip this week reported an increase in calls from concerned travelers, due to the latest wave of flight cancellations. On Thursday, over 6,200 flight cancellations and another 3,700 delays left many travelers stranded as another major snow storm pounded the East Coast.  According to InsureMyTrip, travelers can best protect themselves against the financial impact of flight cancellations and delays by purchasing travel insurance in advance of their trip.

"If  you're concerned about winter weather affecting travel in your city of departure, destination city, or really, anywhere — that ripple effect is a tough reality of air travel — then travel insurance is one of the best investments you can make," says CEO Jim Grace. "This season we have observed an unprecedented number of flight delays and cancellations nationwide and more travelers are turning to travel insurance to safeguard their investment."

For weather-related coverage, travelers should consider the following options:

Trip Cancellation: This coverage, which is included in all of the comprehensive policies sold on InsureMyTrip.com, will help you recoup any pre-paid, nonrefundable expenses related to your trip if you cancel your plans due to a delay of 24-48 hours or more (make sure you understand what the specific time frame is for the policy you choose).

Trip Delay: Again, this protection is included in our comprehensive policies, and allows you to file for reimbursement of unexpected expenses you might incur as a result of a shorter (but still significant) delay– usually 6 hours or more.  If you need to purchase meals, for example, or pay for overnight lodging to avoid sleeping on the airport benches, travel delay coverage can help cover those incidental costs.

Trip Interruption: This coverage is always included in travel insurance comprehensive plans. It's a benefit that offers travelers reimbursement of their pre-paid, non-refundable expenses should their travels be unexpectedly interrupted or cut short. Important things to note when you're researching Trip Interruption benefits include exclusions and special coverage options. To learn more about these benefits, visit InsureMyTrip.

Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR): This is a specific type of travel insurance coverage which offers travelers the opportunity to change their plans for reasons other than those that are listed as "covered reasons" on their travel insurance policies. While most travel insurance policies will provide benefits only if you cancel your trip for a reason that's listed in your policy details, CFAR allows you to bypass that list, giving you greater flexibility and freedom of choice when you're making important decisions about following through with your travel plans. This highly desirable benefit is usually offered as part of a Comprehensive Plan, but may only be available if you meet certain criteria; typically, you'll be required to purchase your travel insurance policy within a specified time frame (usually within 7-30 days of making your initial trip payment) in order to be eligible for CFAR. Contact a licensed travel insurance agent at InsureMyTrip (1-800-487-4722) for details.

About InsureMyTrip: 
InsureMyTrip is the leading online travel insurance comparison site featuring top products from the most trusted providers in the industry. A trusted resource that serves millions of customers worldwide, our licensed insurance agents help travelers find the right insurance plan. InsureMyTrip provides the travel insurance industry's largest customer ratings and reviews forum and a unique customer advocacy program that provides one-on-one assistance to travelers before, during, and after their trip.Established in 2000, InsureMyTrip is a division of IMT Services Corporation and headquartered in Warwick, R.I., with additional offices and data centers in Connecticut and Oregon. For more information visit www.InsureMyTrip.com.

SOURCE InsureMyTrip