--- source_url: "https://www.worldnomads.com/usa/travel-insurance/whats-covered/trip-delay" title: "Travel Insurance for Trip Delays | World Nomads USA" mirrored_at: 2026-08-06T01:38:44.216Z host: www.worldnomads.com cited_in_42a: true mirror_canonical: "https://index.42a.ai/www.worldnomads.com/usa/travel-insurance/whats-covered/trip-delay" --- > **Original source:** https://www.worldnomads.com/usa/travel-insurance/whats-covered/trip-delay Photo © Marco\_Piunti/ Getty Learn how the trip delay travel insurance benefit may help protect US Residents if their trips are unexpectedly delayed As featured in: - As featured in: ## At a glance - The trip delay travel insurance benefit is included in all World Nomads protection plans - You may be reimbursed for unplanned reasonable expenses incurred, if your trip is delayed for at least six consecutive hours because of an unforeseen, covered reason. Terms and conditions apply. - World Nomads Travel Insurance may offer coverage for trip delays caused by natural disasters, sickness, delayed flights, and more - [Why should you consider travel insurance and non-insurance assistance services for delayed trips?](#consider-insurance) - [Some Unforeseen Covered Reasons for Trip Delay](#inclusions) - [Important to Know in the Event of a Claim](#important-to-know) - [Trip Delay Plan Maximum Amounts](#maximum-benefit-amounts) - [What is the difference between the trip delay benefit and the missed connection benefit?](#differences) - [What we recommend if your trip is delayed](#tips) - [FAQs](#faqs) ## Why should you consider travel insurance and non-insurance assistance services for delayed trips? [More than 70% of travelers count down to their vacation](https://clubwyndham.wyndhamdestinations.com/us/en/resorts/resort-news/2024/vacation-survey-results), and if you’re among that group, you’ve likely done all you possibly could to prepare for your trip. Even when you’ve done everything right, unexpected delays can happen for a variety of reasons. With a [single-trip or annual travel protection plan](https://www.worldnomads.com/usa/travel-insurance/whats-covered/plan-comparison) that includes the trip delay travel insurance benefit, you may be reimbursed for unplanned additional reasonable expenses for transportation, accommodations, meals, and essential telephone calls, (up to your plan’s maximum benefit amount) if you’re delayed at least six consecutive hours or more while en route to or from, or during the course of your trip, for one of the covered unforeseen reasons. ### Some Unforeseen Covered Reasons for Trip Delay - A delay of your common carrier (including inclement weather) - A traffic accident while en route to your scheduled trip departure that you’re not directly involved in and must be substantiated by a police or news report - A [Natural Disaster](https://www.worldnomads.com/usa/travel-insurance/whats-covered/natural-disasters), which requires a mandatory evacuation order by local government authorities - Unannounced [airline strikes](https://www.worldnomads.com/usa/travel-insurance/whats-covered/airline-strikes) - [Lost or stolen passports](https://www.worldnomads.com/usa/help/insurance/buying-travel-insurance/lost-stolen-or-damaged-passport) - Sickness or injury of you or your travelling companion - And more. ### Important to Know in the Event of a Claim - There are per day and maximum benefit amounts that vary based on your plan purchased - Only unforeseen reasons listed in your plan documents may be covered - You must obtain any specific dated documentation, which provides proof of the reason for the delay (airline or cruise line forms, medical statements, etc.). Submit this documentation along with your trip itinerary and all receipts for additional reasonable expenses ### Trip Delay Plan Maximum Amounts **Standard Plan** **Explorer Plan** **Epic Plan** **Annual Plan** Up to $250 per day, up to a maximum of $1,000 per person [Get a quote](https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-insurance/quote) Up to $250 per day, up to a maximum of $3,000 per person [Get a quote](https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-insurance/quote) Up to $500 per day, up to a maximum of $5,000 per person [Get a quote](https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-insurance/quote) Up to $250 per day, up to a maximum of $1,500 per trip [Get a quote](https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-insurance/quote) ## What is the difference between the trip delay benefit and the missed connection benefit? Sometimes a delayed trip causes a domino-effect of travel issues. If you’ve purchased an Epic or Explorer plan that includes trip delay insurance coverage, you’ll also have additional benefits for [missed connections](https://www.worldnomads.com/usa/travel-insurance/whats-covered/missed-connections). For example, if your flight is delayed and you can’t get to the port in time to make your cruise, you may also be reimbursed for a flight so you can board your cruise at the next port. This benefit also applies to flights on different carriers. If your first airline carrier is so delayed that you miss your flight on the next carrier, your missed connection benefit may help you 'catch up’ and get to your final destination. ## What we recommend if your trip is delayed Yes, it’s frustrating, but trip delays are often out of your control and unfortunately are just a part of traveling. Always check the status of your flight before you head to the airport just to make sure there are no delays (although they can still occur once you get there.) If something happens and your trip is delayed, here are our tips for how to handle it like a pro. - Stay calm. Getting angry doesn’t help. - If the delay is because of your common carrier, talk to them about reimbursement first. Airlines may cover things such as additional meals, hotel accommodations, and transportation. Your travel insurance benefits are considered secondary or excess, and your trip delay insurance benefit reimbursement may be liable only for the excess of the amount of loss. Check the [Department of Transportation’s Cancellation and Delay Dashboard](https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/airline-cancellation-delay-dashboard)\* to see what is covered by various airlines. - If you’re delayed for at least six consecutive hours for a covered unforeseen reason, you can [file a claim online](https://www.worldnomads.com/usa/travel-insurance/claim-online). - Remember that you must do everything to minimize the costs surrounding the delay. You may not get reimbursed for a fancy steak dinner should you need to file a trip delay claim. ## FAQ Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for trip delays. You can also find the answers to other questions in our [Help Center](https://helpdesk.worldnomads.com/customer/en/portal/articles/) or you can ask the [customer service team](https://www.worldnomads.com/contact-us). - [What type of trip delays may be covered?](#) World Nomads Travel Insurance may cover delays of six consecutive hours or more when caused by an unforeseen, covered reason. There are several reasons that could cause a trip delay, including: - A delay of your common carrier (including inclement weather) - A traffic accident while en route to your scheduled trip departure that you’re not directly involved in and must be substantiated by a police or news report - A [Natural Disaster](https://www.worldnomads.com/usa/travel-insurance/whats-covered/natural-disasters) which requires a mandatory evacuation order by local government authorities - Unannounced airline strikes - [Lost or stolen passport](https://www.worldnomads.com/usa/help/insurance/buying-travel-insurance/lost-stolen-or-damaged-passport)s - Civil Disorder - Sickness or injury of you or your travelling companion - And more. - [Could trip delay insurance benefits cover delays on my way home too?](#) Yes, you may be covered while en route to, from, or during the course of your trip if you’re delayed for at least six consecutive hours or more due to a covered unforeseen reason. - [If my trip is delayed on my return home, could my travel insurance benefits be extended?](#) When you get a quote for travel insurance and non-insurance benefits, you’ll state the exact dates of your trip. However, if your return is delayed due to an unavoidable circumstance beyond your control, all coverage except trip cancellation (and optional cancel for any reason for Epic or Explorer) will be extended. The extension of coverage will last either until you reach your originally scheduled return destination or seven days after your originally scheduled return date – whichever happens first. Terms and Conditions apply. - [What’s the difference between trip delay and trip interruption?](#) World Nomads defines a trip delay as when you are delayed for at least six consecutive hours, stopping you from getting to your destination. A [trip interruption](https://www.worldnomads.com/usa/travel-insurance/whats-covered/trip-interruption) occurs when something happens that prevents you from taking advantage of your full itinerary or causes you to end your trip early, such as breaking your leg during a ski trip. Your plan includes both trip delay insurance coverage, as well as trip interruption insurance benefits. - [Along with trip delay travel insurance, what other travel insurance benefits could a travel protection plan include?](#) A travel protection plan from World Nomads includes a range of travel insurance benefits and non-insurance services and may provide reimbursement for [trip cancellation](https://www.worldnomads.com/usa/travel-insurance/whats-covered/cancellation), [delayed baggage](https://www.worldnomads.com/usa/travel-insurance/whats-covered/delayed-baggage), and accident and sickness [medical expenses](https://www.worldnomads.com/usa/travel-insurance/whats-covered/overseas-medical), to name a few. It may also cover losses resulting from [250+ sports, activities and experiences](https://www.worldnomads.com/usa/travel-insurance/activities). Terms and conditions apply. 20260120-5124645. This is not a full list of what is and isn’t covered, so please check your plan document for a full list of maximums, terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions that may apply to your state specific plan. Any example scenarios provided above are not a guarantee of coverage. All claims are subject to review, require documentation and are considered individually. Exclusion applies to Adventure or Extreme Activities. ## Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you The amounts listed represent the maximum benefit amount. _Protect your health_ - 24/7 Emergency Assistance Help Line - Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses - Emergency Evacuations - Bedside Companion Travel - Emergency Medications _Protect Your Trip_ - Trip Cancellation - Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic) - Trip Delay & Trip Interruption - Missed Connection (Explorer or Epic) - Rental Car Damage (Explorer, Epic or Annual) _Protect Your Stuff_ - Baggage Delay - Passport and Visa Loss - Lost or Stolen Bags - Personal Tech, Equipment & Gear - Baggage Return After Evacuation _Non-Insurance Services_ - Medical & Non-Medical 24/7 Emergency Assistance Line - Translators Available - Pre-Departure Telehealth Services - Portable Health Records - Delayed or Lost Baggage Tracking and Delivery This is a general summary for US residents only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Benefits limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Check the plan documents for full details.