What You Need to Know About Missed Connection Travel Insurance [GUIDE]

May 22, 2025 - Meagan Palmer

Travel delays and cancellations are becoming more common, making missing connecting flights a growing worry for travelers. When you miss a connecting flight, it can lead to extra costs and disruptions, so understanding your travel options is important. This raises the question: does travel insurance cover missed connections?

While some policies offer coverage for missed connections, others may have exclusions or limitations in place. It’s crucial to review your travel benefits in detail to understand what it covers and under what circumstances you would be eligible for compensation.

Table of Contents

• What Is A Missed Connection?
• What Happens If You Miss Your Connecting Flight?
• Can I Claim Compensation If I Miss A Connecting Flight From The Airline?
• What Happens to Checked Luggage If I Miss My Connecting Flight?
• Does Travel Insurance Cover Missed Connections?
• Missed Connection Exclusions
• Examples When Missed Connection Coverage Applies
• How to File a Missed Connection Travel Insurance Claim

What Is A Missed Connection?

A missed connection can happen when you miss the departure of your connecting flight, train, bus, or other type of common carrier due to a delay or cancellation of your initial mode of transportation. This usually occurs due to inclement weather, mechanical breakdowns, strikes, civil disorder, or common carrier delays.

In addition to disrupting your travel plans and creating a stressful situation, missing a connection can cause extra costs, such as:

• Buying new tickets

• Paying for a hotel stay

• Losing prepaid reservations or unused portions of your trip expenses

What Happens If You Miss Your Connecting Flight?

When you miss your cruise or tour departure, it can create a domino effect of missing other things like connecting flights, tours, or hotel bookings. Don’t panic yet!

If your missed flight is due to common carrier delays or events beyond your control, such as bad weather or mechanical breakdowns, travel insurance could provide coverage. It could primarily cover the cost of getting new flights or reimburse other expenses.

For domestic flights or if you booked all flights on one ticket, airlines usually help by rebooking you on the next available flight. This often happens without extra fees, but you should check the airline’s specific rules.

If you booked your flights separately or missed the connection because of a personal mistake, like arriving late, the airline might charge fees or require you to pay for a new ticket.

To avoid missing connections, plan for enough time between flights. Consider factors like airport size, customs, and security checks. Also, purchasing travel insurance with missed connection coverage allows you to more confidently navigate the unexpected and make the most of your trip.

Can I Claim Compensation From The Airline If I Miss A Connecting Flight?

Sometimes, the airline or common carrier may also be responsible for providing compensation or assistance if you miss a connection. This is especially true if the missed flight is due to a common carrier delay, such as mechanical issues or staff strikes. If this is the case, contact the airline as soon as possible to inquire about your eligibility for reimbursement or other travel assistance.

What Happens to Checked Luggage If I Miss My Connecting Flight?

People often wonder whether they will lose their belongings or experience delays. Let’s debunk some myths and clarify the process regarding your baggage in these situations.

Usually, airlines are quite efficient when it comes to transferring your checked luggage between flights. Your checked luggage usually doesn’t get lost, even if you miss your connecting flight. Airlines have systems in place to ensure your bags arrive safely with you, even if you experience an unexpected change in itinerary.

Situation	What Happens to Your Luggage
Missed Connection	Bags are re-tagged and sent on the next flight
Baggage Delay	Your luggage may arrive after you do
Lost Luggage	Airlines will track it and work to find it

You should report any missing luggage at the airline’s desk. Keep your baggage claim tickets handy. Also, consider how travel insurance protects your baggage from delays or damage. In addition, contacting your plan’s travel assistance phone number can offer support.

Does Travel Insurance Cover Missed Connections?

The answer is typically yes, but it depends on the type of policy you have. Most travel insurance policies include missed connection coverage in the event you miss your cruise or tour departure due to circumstances already discussed. 

Typically, travel insurance policies with missed connection coverage can help cover:

• The cost of rescheduling your connecting flight, train, or bus

• Any fees associated with rebooking your transportation

• Reasonable accommodation and meal expenses

• Pre-paid and non-refundable costs for activities missed due to the delay

Coverage benefits vary based on the policy. On Yonder’s site, you’ll find policies that include missed connection benefit amounts of $300 to $1,000 per person. Compare policies side-by-side using Yonder’s quote tool to find the right policy for the type of trip you’re taking.

Also, the length of the delay is important when it comes to travel insurance. Delays usually must be at least 3 to 12 hours for coverage to apply. Short delays may not qualify for reimbursement. 

Thinking of some other coverage questions? Find the answers to top travel insurance FAQs and more!

Keep in mind that travel insurance only covers unforeseen circumstances. If you miss your connection due to your own negligence, like being late to the airport, your insurance might not cover the expenses incurred. Similarly, common carrier issues like flight cancellations or delays solely at the fault of the airline may not be covered by your travel insurance.

Missed Connection Exclusions

While travel insurance policies often provide coverage for missed connections, there are a few important exclusions to be aware of in a policy:

• War or act of war

• Traveling against the advice of a medical professional

• Intoxication or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol

• Foreseen or known events

Travel insurance companies usually exclude trip cancellations, interruptions, or delays caused by these factors. Even inclement weather might not be covered if it was predicted or known in advance. Always check the list of exclusions near the end of the plan document, so you know when coverage won’t apply. 

Examples When Missed Connection Coverage Applies

Travel insurance can come to your rescue when you experience missed flights during your trip. Let’s look at some cases where coverage can assist you.

Flight delays due to weather: Imagine you’re ready to leave for your trip, but your first flight is delayed due to inclement weather. As a result, you miss your second flight. With missed connection coverage, your insurance provider can help cover the cost for additional transportation and cover additional expenses incurred.

Traffic delays to the airport: Suppose you’re on your way to the airport for the first leg of your journey, and suddenly, there’s heavy traffic because of an accident. This leads to a delayed arrival at the airport, causing you to miss your flight. In this case, missed connection coverage also comes in handy to help you rebook your flight and cover the extra costs.

Cancelled flights before cruises: Picture yourself taking a flight to get to your port of call for your cruise departure, except your flight gets cancelled for a covered event and you have to rebook another one out. This delay causes you to miss a pre-booked guided tour you had scheduled on the second day of the cruise. In such circumstances, your travel insurance may cover the expenses for missed activities and alternative transportation arrangements.

How to File a Missed Connection Travel Insurance Claim

Firstly, check your travel insurance coverage to see if it offers benefits. Coverage can vary depending on the policy, so make sure you understand the terms and conditions. If your insurance offers missed connection coverage, it may provide compensation for additional transportation expenses, accommodations, and more.

You can connect directly with the insurance provider to initiate a claim. However, if you purchase a policy through Yonder, our team of travel insurance experts can assist in the claims process from initiation to appeals.

When filing a claim, gather all important documents before filing your claim. Such documents may include your original ticket, any new tickets purchased, and receipts for transportation expenses incurred due to the missed connection. This will help expedite the process and strengthen your claim. It helps to keep records of all your communications with the insurer.

Check out our full article with more information on how to file a successful claim.

Frequently Asked Questions