easyJet Missed Flight Insurance

Passengers who use easyJet will now be able to get an insurance policy that will offer them a payout if they miss their flight. The missed flight insurance is being offered by No Exclusions in collaboration with insurance provider Mondial Assistance. A pilot for the policy scheme has been ongoing with easyJet since the middle of May. There are also talks taking place with other carriers that may lead to the programme being rolled out for other airline passengers.

The missed flight cover policy allows airline passengers who miss their flights to continue their trips. It offers them an immediate option to get a new ticket on the next flight available while they are at the airport – which will come at no extra cost. Policyholders also have the option to get a full refund for their flight. Missed departure insurance will also pay for extra expenses if passengers miss their plane and have to make alternative arrangements to get to their destination. It covers flight-related services like booking fees, credit card charges, speedy boarding, reserved seating and check-in bag fees.

No Exclusions says its new policy is a challenge to the traditional culture of cover and is unique in having no excesses or exclusions. As the company’s name suggests, they don’t believe in small print. Instead, the policy only has three terms and conditions: 1) the passenger has to arrive at the airport to register the claim within four hours of their scheduled departure time; 2: the passenger has to be fit to fly – like in the carrier’s conditions; and 3) the passenger has to register their claim at the sales desk before leaving the airport.

Delay claims can be made for any reason – bad weather, security check delays, traffic jams and even the failure of an alarm clock – and claimants don’t need any proof at all. However, claims will not be approved for compensation if the passenger simply doesn’t give themselves enough time to get to the airport. However, this will be less commonly covered due to transport breakdowns or being involved in accidents. This kind of flight coverage isn’t an alternative for travel insurance, which offers passengers personal, medical and other types of protection. The missed flight insurance policy costs £7.50 for a one-way flight or £9.50 for a return flight.

No Exclusions chief executive Andrew Lothian says they are very proud to have created and developed missed flight insurance and are thrilled easyJet is the first airline to introduce the policy. They believe the missed departure cover provides an effective, innovative solution to a passenger concern. They are confident that many people will choose the option, he added.

The launch of missed flight cover follows research for No Exclusions that found a substantial proportion of airline passengers have a fear of missing their plane – with 71% admitting to restless sleep or not being able to sleep at all before a flight in the morning. Additionally, 43% of respondents said they will consider staying at an airport hotel to ease stress before they fly.

Travelsupermarket.com expert Bob Atkinson believes this policy to be an interesting innovation. However, he says travellers who already have a decent travel insurance policy will have missed departure covered as well. This makes No Exclusions’ offering an extra that most passengers won’t need if they ensure they have the cover on their existing policy. It will be intriguing to see how this new insurance is sold and positioned in the sales process, he added.