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Flight Delays, Cancellations and Travel Insurance: What You Can Actually Claim
Airline compensation and travel insurance pay for different things. Here's how to claim both — and avoid double-counting.
Airline compensation rules and travel insurance overlap in confusing ways. Here's a clear breakdown of who pays for what when your flight is delayed or cancelled.
UK261 / EU261 — what the airline owes you
Under UK261 and EU261 rules, if your flight is delayed by 3+ hours or cancelled within 14 days of departure, the airline owes you:
- £220–£520 in compensation per passenger (distance dependent)
- Meals and refreshments after 2+ hours delay
- Hotel accommodation if delayed overnight
- A refund or rebooking
This applies if the airline is at fault — strikes, technical issues, crew shortages. It does not apply for "extraordinary circumstances" like extreme weather, ATC strikes, or political unrest.
What travel insurance adds on top
- A small cash payment for delays of 12+ hours (£20–£30 per hour, capped)
- Cover for missed connections caused by your delay
- Cancellation cover if a flight is cancelled and you can't rebook
- Curtailment if delays mean you have to cut your trip short
- Cover for unused pre-paid accommodation
Can I claim both?
Yes — but you can't claim the same expense twice. If the airline pays for your hotel, you can't also claim it from your insurer. If the airline pays you £220 in compensation, you can still claim the £30/hour delay benefit from your insurer because they cover different things.
What to do at the airport
- Ask the airline desk for written confirmation of the delay/cancellation reason
- Keep boarding passes and the original itinerary
- Keep all receipts for food, drink and accommodation
- Ask for the airline's "EU261/UK261 information sheet"
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