With flight cancellations taking place across the UK, Post Office Travel Insurance is urging travellers to understand their rights before they travel and the steps to take if their plans are disrupted.
Adam Edinburgh, Head of Travel and New Products at Post Office Insurance, says: “Flight cancellations can be stressful, especially when they happen at short notice. While some disruption is unavoidable, there are practical steps travellers can take to minimise the impact if plans change.”
4 things to do if your flight is cancelled:
- Contact your airline immediately to arrange rebooking or a refund. If your flight is cancelled, you may be entitled to either a full refund of the price of the flight (as well as any other flights as part of the same booking, such as onward and return flights) or a replacement flight.
- Know your passenger rights, as airlines may be required to provide meals, accommodation or alternative transport in certain circumstances. If delay or cancellation forces you to stay at the airport overnight, then the airline should book and cover the cost of your accommodation and any transport to and from it.
- Keep receipts for any additional expenses caused by disruption, as well as booking confirmations, as these will likely be needed for claims to the airline.
- Check your travel insurance policy, to understand what cover is available where needed, as benefits vary between providers and policy types.
Adam adds: “While airlines are responsible for assisting passengers during cancellations, staying informed and planning ahead can help reduce stress if travel plans change unexpectedly. Understanding your rights, keeping important travel documents to hand and checking what protection is available before you travel can make a significant difference when disruption occurs.
“For added reassurance, we offer Trip Disruption cover as an add-on for an additional premium, offering protection for a range of unforeseen events that can impact a trip, including airspace disruption, natural catastrophes and terrorism, subject to the terms of the policy.”
To find out more about Post Office travel insurance and what it covers, visit:
https://www.postoffice.co.uk/travel-insurance
