Travel delays, baggage and rental cars

What do I get if my flight is delayed?

After a minimum delay caused by a covered event, the plan reimburses reasonable meals, lodging and local transportation, up to a daily amount and an overall maximum.

• Travel Insured: Deluxe after 6 hours, $150 per day up to $1,500; Platinum after 3 hours, $200 per day up to $2,000; New York plan after 6 hours, $200 per day up to $1,000.
• Trawick: after 6 hours; Pathway Plus $200 per day up to $1,000; Premier $300 per day up to $2,000.
• WorldTrips: after 5 hours, up to $2,000; $150 per day on Explore and New York Preferred, $200 per day on Elevate and New York Premier.

Keep your receipts and the airline's written confirmation of the delay.

What if I miss my connection or the start of my program?

Missed connection benefits pay extra transportation to catch up with your trip, and unused prepaid arrangements, when a covered delay makes you miss your departure.

• Travel Insured Deluxe $750 and Platinum $1,000, after a delay of 3 hours or more. New York plan: $500, for a missed cruise or tour departure.
• WorldTrips, after a 3-hour delay: Explore $1,000; Elevate $1,500; New York Preferred $1,500; New York Premier $2,000.
• Trawick: Pathway Plus $300; Premier $500. Only for missing a cruise or tour departure when weather cancels or delays all scheduled flights for between 3 and 6 hours (3 and 12 in New York).

What is covered if my luggage is lost or delayed?

Two benefits apply: baggage loss is for lost, stolen or damaged belongings, and baggage delay is for essentials when your checked bags arrive late.

• Baggage loss: Travel Insured Deluxe $1,500, Platinum $2,500; Trawick Pathway Plus $1,000, Premier $2,000; WorldTrips Explore $1,500, Elevate $2,500.
• Baggage delay: Travel Insured Deluxe after 6 hours up to $500, Platinum after 3 hours up to $750; Trawick after more than 8 hours, $100 per day up to $300 (Plus) or $500 (Premier); WorldTrips after 12 hours up to $300 (Explore) or $600 (Elevate).

Report the loss to the airline immediately and get a written report. For theft, file a police report.

Are jewelry, electronics and other valuables covered?

Only up to low per-item limits, so do not rely on the plan for expensive items.

• Travel Insured: $250 per article and $500 combined for jewelry, watches and furs. Deluxe and the New York plan also put cameras, computers and other electronics under that combined limit.
• Trawick Pathway: $100 per article on Plus, $250 on Premier; the Florida plans exclude computers, tablets and cell phones.
• WorldTrips Atlas Journey: $500 per article.

Eyeglasses, hearing aids, money and keys are not covered. Carry valuables with you and check your homeowner's or renter's policy.

Do I need receipts?

Yes, keep them. Delay expenses need itemized receipts and the carrier's confirmation of the delay.

For lost belongings without original receipts, the payment is reduced: Travel Insured Deluxe and Platinum pay based on 50% of the item's actual cash value and WorldTrips on 75%.

Is a rental car covered?

Rental car damage is an optional upgrade, not part of the base plan. It covers damage to or theft of the rental car itself.

• Limits: $50,000 on Trawick, WorldTrips and Travel Insured Platinum; $30,000 on Travel Insured Deluxe. WorldTrips has a $250 deductible.
• It is not liability insurance: it does not cover injury to people or damage to other vehicles or property.
• Trucks, campers, motorcycles and exotic vehicles are excluded.

A delay means I would arrive on Shabbat or Yom Tov and can't travel then. Is the extra cost covered?

Travel delay benefits reimburse reasonable meals and lodging while you are delayed by a covered cause, up to the plan's daily and overall limits. The plan documents do not specifically address extra nights needed because of Shabbat or Yom Tov.

The insurance company decides each claim, so keep the airline's proof of the delay and all receipts. If timing is tight, plan an earlier flight.