Should You Add Airline Flight Insurance to Your Booking? Here's What to Know

If you've ever booked a flight online, you've probably come across the option to add flight insurance. But is it worth it? Let’s break down what flight insurance typically covers, and why it may not be necessary for most travelers.

What is Airline Flight Insurance?

Flight insurance, often offered as an add-on during the booking process, provides coverage for non-refundable costs if your trip is disrupted. Major airlines like United (in partnership with AIG’s Travel Guard) or Delta and American (with Allianz Global Assistance) offer these policies. The coverage you receive varies depending on your location, whether your trip is domestic or international, and the specific policy terms.

Common Benefits in Flight Insurance Policies

Flight insurance typically covers several key areas:

1. Flight Delay Coverage: Reimburses costs for meals, transportation, or hotel stays if your flight is delayed.

2. Baggage Protection: Covers lost, damaged, or stolen luggage, and may reimburse you for essential items if your luggage is delayed.

3. Travel Assistance: Offers help with rebooking flights or arranging travel details in case of a disruption.

4. Trip Cancellation: Refunds your ticket if you cancel due to specific reasons, like illness, job loss, or natural disaster. Note: without "cancel-for-any-reason" insurance, you won't get a refund if you simply change your mind.

5. Trip Interruption: Covers the cost if you need to end your trip early due to emergencies, like illness or a family member's death.

While these benefits sound helpful, most travelers can skip flight insurance. Here’s why:

Why You Probably Don’t Need Airline Flight Insurance

1. Airline Policies Already Cover Many Issues

Airlines have policies that cover various issues without extra insurance. For example, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) mandates that airlines compensate for delays, lost luggage, and more. They even have an online dashboard that explains what airlines owe you in different scenarios—whether you have flight insurance or not. I’ll link it in the description, along with a European equivalent for EU travelers.

2. Airline Flexibility with Fees and Changes

Many airlines have recently become more flexible with changes and cancellations. For example, Southwest allows changes or cancellations up to 10 minutes before departure, offering a refund or travel credit based on your ticket type. Before buying flight insurance, check the airline's policies—you may already be covered for free changes, cancellations, or refunds.

3. Your Credit Card Might Already Have Travel Insurance

Many travel-focused credit cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, include perks for trip cancellations, interruptions, and delays. If you booked with a credit card that offers these benefits, paying for extra flight insurance may be redundant.

4. Flight Insurance Coverage is Often Limited

Airline-provided insurance may offer limited coverage. For example, United's Travel Guard policy offers $10,000 in medical coverage for international flights—a minimal amount for serious medical emergencies abroad. Policies are also not usually customizable, meaning you can't add extra coverage like “cancel-for-any-reason” or higher medical limits. For better protection, consider a separate comprehensive travel insurance plan.

When Might Flight Insurance Be Useful?

There are a few scenarios where airline-provided flight insurance might make sense:

Your airfare is your only non-refundable expense and you’re not covered by a credit card or existing travel insurance.

Your ticket is non-refundable, and the flight cost is high enough to justify the insurance.

My Personal Take on Flight Insurance

As someone who has worked in the travel insurance industry and booked hundreds of flights, I have never opted for airline-provided flight insurance. Airline policies, credit card protections, and third-party travel insurance have always covered me, even during numerous flight cancellations. However, I never travel internationally without a comprehensive medical insurance plan, especially as a Canadian where Medicare doesn’t cover international medical expenses.

I’ll link the travel insurance I personally use, which has saved me in emergency situations—like a costly evacuation from Vietnam in 2020 that wasn’t covered by flight insurance or my credit card. If you’re a senior traveler or have pre-existing conditions, I’ll also share affordable insurance options tailored to those needs.

For the majority of travelers, comprehensive travel insurance (including medical coverage and evacuation) is a more practical and complete option than standard airline flight insurance.