Despite what many travelers may believe, there is no federal law in the U.S. requiring airlines to provide passengers with compensation for a delayed flight. Even if an airline’s policy is to provide meals or lodging, it will rarely do so if the delay is due to weather or another factor it considers beyond its control.
Fortunately, many premium credit cards and travel insurance providers offer trip delay insurance, which can cover expenses like overnight accommodation and meals if your flight is significantly delayed.
Here’s how trip delay insurance works and where you can get it.
What is trip delay insurance?
Trip delay insurance is protection against additional expenses you incur when your travel booked on a common carrier is delayed. Common carriers include airlines, ferry operators, passenger railroads and long-distance bus service.
However, not every delay is eligible for coverage under trip delay insurance. The policy’s terms will specify the length of the delay required…
This article was written by Aaron Hurd and originally published on www.nerdwallet.com