Reply To: Missed connection insurance

[memesweeper]

I took two flights last month with an unprotected connection.

On the way out from the UK it was about 4.5 hours, which was tight-ish. The onward connection, if missed, was a cheap domestic, even last minute. I would not have dreamt of claiming on insurance for missing it, although I have the HSBC policy (and booked with BAPP Amex which includes some disruption insurance for missed connections I think).

On the way back I overnighted at the connecting airport abroad. The long haul back to the UK was in business, and I didn’t want to miss it, so there was 12 hours of ‘padding’. Had disaster struck I absolutely would have claimed, but the priority was just not missing it. I have no idea if HSBC would have paid for business tickets but I would certainly expect them to get me home.

Unbelievably I nearly missed the flight home — despite having an airport hotel and an overnight layover — because the guard at the door to the terminal wanted to see a ticket, which I didn’t have! Just an email, which is normal for European carriers. Got to check in with exactly one minute to spare. I’ve no idea what an insurer would do about that (mostly likely laugh at me) so be aware, insurance will never cover all eventualities, including some that might actually happen. Unprotected connections are a risk, and there’s no cast-iron way to get around that.