Travel insurance with missed connection coverage?

[Febs]

Hi all,

I’m weighing up travel insurance options for myself and dad for an upcoming 5wk round-the-world, and I’m not quite sure what to do.

I can get a brilliant price from my employer (who have an annual policy) - $132inc GST for both of us, with very good coverage. It’s a similar policy to what I fly under for work (through Chubb), and I’ve made 3 claims with them (damaged luggage, lost camera, lost sunnies) all with no hassles or excess whatsoever. As far as insurers go, they’re a dream.

The trouble is, the policy no longer includes any coverage for missed travel connections (unless missed due to injury). As we’re on a OneWorld Award Explorer, I’m a little nervous about this. I haven’t flown on an Award Explorer before, but if we miss one connection, is the rest of the ticket (including all subsequent flights) then invalidated? As an Emerald, do airlines OW usually offer any leniency in these situations? I have a few individual (award) tickets, but the majority of flights are as part of the Award Explorer.

I’m not planning on missing any connections, but I’d hate to invalidate the entire ticket 2 flights in. I had a look at Commsec’s offering, and it seems to be about $400 (for the two of us), and I still don’t think that includes missed connection coverage.

I’m thinking I’ll just go for the Chubb insurance, but would appreciate any advice or other options I might be able to look at. Thanks in advance!

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[harvyk]

If it's all booked under the one ticket (and if it's a OWE I'd image it would be) then you should be fine if a missed connection is a result of a plane getting in late.

You may have problems if it's because your on a tour (or taxi) which gets you to the airport late, in either case you'd probably still be able to talk to the check in agent and be placed on the next available set of flights which I would image wouldn't invalidate the rest of your trip.

Whilst I'm not an expert in insurance, you'd probably find the "missed connections" clause is in there as feature they can sell to you which they expect they will rarely (maybe even never) have to pay out on as most airlines (inc LCC's) will cover a missed connection if it's all one the one ticket.

 

[Dave Noble]

I wouldnt worry about missed connections

If you miss a genuine connection, then the airline will be required to protect you onwards

If you have a stopover and then end up missing a flight, with a OWE you can just pay the USD125 and rebook ( istr that there is now a USD125 no-show penalty )

Dave

 

[Febs]

Thanks guys. My main concern was a missed flight due to an error on our part (i.e. traffic or some other circumstance causing us to miss a flight) - I have no concerns about what'll happen if the missed connection is due to an airline stuffup.

Dave Noble - do you know if that applies to Award explorers too?

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[NM]

Febs,

I think you may be confusing people here using the term "Explorer" in the name of the award. Its a Qantas OneWorld Award and has no relationship with a OneWorld Explorer fare. In fact I think the only similarity is the limit of a maximum of 16 segments!

For a Qantas OneWorld Award, the terms and conditions state that if you fail to board a segment the remaining segments will be cancelled. The cancelled segments can be reinstated (for a reinstatement fee) providing award seats are available on the new flights. If there is a re-routing or any other change that results in additional points or $$$ cost then you have to pay those as well.

This really is no different to purchasing a paid fare with change/refund restrictions.

Knowing these restrictions, it is wise to plan to be very early to the airport for all of your flights. Plan such that if you hit a traffic jam, get a flat tyre, break down etc you will still be able to get to the airport on time. And if you do get stuck, make sure you call the airline ASAP to make alternate arrangements.

As has already been mentioned, if you miss a connection due to a late arriving flight that is part of the Qantas OneWorld Award itinerary, you will be protected and moved to a suitable connecting flight. As missed connections under these circumstances are the airline's responsibility to sort out, it is common for travel insurance policies to exclude them from their cover. There is no point in paying for the insurance company to cover something already covered by the airline. There is a big difference between a missed connection and failing to check-in for a flight.

If you do miss a segment, you may be able to have the cancelled subsequent segments reinstated (for a fee), but you will need to be able to find classic award seat availability on a subsequent date/time for the missed segment as you cannot change the routing on a Classic Award itinerary.

The Qantas OneWorld Award now has the same restrictions as any other Qantas or Partner Classic Award.

 

[simongr]

I would be very surprised if you can find travel insurance that covers personal fault missed flights...