Alyssa Lane
United Airlines offers travel insurance through AIG (Travel Guard), which includes benefits such as trip cancellation/interruption coverage, emergency medical and dental, emergency medical transportation, travel delay, and concierge services. The cost of this insurance depends on the specifics of your trip, such as the duration, trip cost, your age, and the class of travel. While some travellers find it beneficial for peace of mind and protection against unexpected costs, others consider it unnecessary, especially if they have alternative coverage or refundable bookings. Ultimately, the decision to purchase United flight insurance depends on individual needs, budget, and risk tolerance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost | The cost of United Airlines travel insurance is considered expensive by some. The cost varies depending on the type of policy, where it is bought, age, and trip cost. For example, an AIG Travel Guard international policy for a 17-day trip for two 40-year-old travellers costs $189. |
| Coverage | United Airlines' insurance offers trip cancellation/interruption coverage for non-refundable airline tickets, hotel and rental car costs, emergency medical and dental, emergency medical transportation, travel delay, and concierge services. |
| Refund policy | United Airlines' insurance requires valid documentation and proof of eligibility for a refund. |
| Customer experience | Some customers have reported issues with customer service, hidden fees, and complicated claims processes. |
| Alternative options | Some credit cards offer travel protections, such as coverage for delayed or cancelled flights, damaged rental cars, lost or delayed luggage, etc. Comprehensive travel insurance plans or standalone travel medical insurance policies can also be purchased separately. |
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What You'll Learn
United Airlines travel insurance is expensive
The cost of travel insurance depends on the specifics of your trip, such as the trip cost, your age, and the type of policy you buy. United Airlines offers standard travel insurance through AIG (Travel Guard). According to a Tripadvisor forum, United Airlines travel insurance is expensive and not worth getting. One user has shared that United's insurer is known for denying refunds for unused tickets, even with documentation.
In general, policies sold by airlines and travel websites provide "pretty thin coverage," according to a Checkbook.org analysis. Airline-sponsored travel insurance policies have "low limits" and are "exclusion-driven products," even though they might be cheap. Sasha Gainullin, a travel insurance expert and CEO of battleface, a travel insurance company, agrees that airline insurance plans are designed to benefit the airline and not the passenger. They offer the same package plans to all travelers without considering the traveler's flight plans or needs.
Instead of purchasing travel insurance from an airline, you can consider buying a policy from a travel insurance company, which typically offers more generous benefits. For example, a Travel Guard Preferred policy from AIG for a 17-day trip for two travelers with a total trip cost of $6,000 is about $431. A Flight Insure Plus plan from Travelex for the same trip costs just $58 but does not include cancellation coverage.
You may also already have some travel insurance protections from your credit card, such as trip cancellation, trip interruption, and baggage delay. However, these may have low coverage limits, so it is essential to review the benefits offered by your credit card company before deciding whether to purchase additional travel insurance.
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It offers limited coverage
United Airlines offers standard travel insurance through AIG (Travel Guard). This insurance provides trip cancellation/interruption coverage for non-refundable airline tickets, hotel reservations, and rental car costs. It also covers emergency medical and dental, emergency medical transportation, travel delay, and concierge services.
However, it's important to note that United's insurance has been described as offering “pretty thin coverage” by Checkbook.org. The analysis highlights that these policies are often bad buys for travellers, as they are designed to benefit the airline rather than the passenger. Additionally, these plans have “low limits” and are "exclusion-driven products," according to Sasha Gainullin, a travel insurance expert and CEO of Battleface.
For example, an AIG Travel Guard international policy sold by United Airlines for a 17-day trip for two travellers aged 40 costs $189. This policy provides $10,000 in medical expense coverage and $50,000 in medical evacuation coverage per person. While this may be sufficient for some travellers, others may find the coverage limits too restrictive.
Furthermore, United's insurance has been criticised for its refund policy. In some cases, even with valid documentation, United's insurer may deny a refund of ticket costs, offering only a change fee refund. This can be problematic if a traveller is unable to rebook their travel within the specified timeframe.
In summary, while United flight insurance offers some coverage for trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and travel delays, it has been characterised as providing limited protection. The insurance may not provide sufficient benefits for travellers seeking comprehensive coverage, and the refund process has been a source of concern for some customers.
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It's worth it if you can't afford to lose money on non-refundable airfare
United Airlines offers standard travel insurance through AIG (Travel Guard), which includes trip interruption, trip cancellation, trip and baggage delay coverage, and travel medical insurance for international trips. The cost of travel insurance depends on the type of policy purchased and where it is bought. For example, a bare-bones policy for post-departure issues will be cheaper than a comprehensive travel insurance policy. Additionally, age and total trip cost affect the price of travel insurance.
While some sources claim that airline insurance plans are designed to benefit the airline rather than the passenger, providing limited coverage, flight insurance can be worthwhile if you cannot afford to lose money on non-refundable airfare. This is especially true if unexpected circumstances, such as delays or cancellations, disrupt your travel plans.
If you cannot get a refund or credit for your airfare, travel insurance can provide financial protection. It is important to note that some credit cards offer certain types of coverage for trip cancellations, trip interruptions, or baggage delays, but these may have low coverage limits and exclusions. Therefore, if you are concerned about losing money on non-refundable airfare, purchasing travel insurance through a reputable company that handles its own products, services, and customer emergencies may be a wise decision.
When considering travel insurance, it is essential to review the terms and conditions of the policy to understand what is covered and what documentation is required for any potential claims. While travel insurance can provide peace of mind and protect your financial investment, it is important to weigh the cost of the insurance against the likelihood of needing to use it.
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It's worth it for the peace of mind
Travel insurance is worth it for the peace of mind it provides. It protects your non-refundable vacation investment if the unexpected occurs. For example, if you've paid for a non-refundable plane ticket and lodging deposit, travel insurance should cover those costs and refund you if your trip is cancelled or interrupted. This includes unforeseen circumstances such as delays and cancellations.
United Airlines offers trip cancellation and interruption coverage for non-refundable airline tickets, hotel reservations, and rental car costs. Their insurance also covers emergency medical and dental, emergency medical transportation, travel delay, and concierge services.
However, it is important to note that the cost of travel insurance can vary significantly depending on the type of policy purchased and where it is bought. A bare-bones policy for post-departure problems will cost much less than a comprehensive travel insurance policy. Additionally, policies purchased directly from a travel insurance company will usually be more expensive than those bought through an airline.
While some sources claim that travel insurance is not worth it, especially those policies sold by airlines, which offer "thin coverage", others argue that it is a sensible decision to protect your trip investment. Ultimately, whether or not travel insurance is worth it depends on individual needs, budget, and travel plans.
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Compare prices with other insurers
The cost of travel insurance varies depending on the type of policy you buy and where you buy it from. Basic policies designed for post-departure problems will be cheaper than comprehensive travel insurance policies. Policies with higher benefit limits purchased directly from a travel insurance company will usually be more expensive than those with lower limits bought through an airline when booking your trip. Your age and the total trip cost will also affect the price.
United Airlines offers travel insurance through AIG (Travel Guard). An AIG Travel Guard international policy for a 17-day trip for two 40-year-old travellers in economy class costing $2,481 provides $10,000 in medical expense coverage and $50,000 in medical evacuation coverage per person, and costs $189. A Travel Guard Preferred policy from AIG for the same trip and travellers with a total trip cost of $6,000 is about $431.
A Flight Insure Plus plan from Travelex for the same trip and travellers costs just $58, but does not include cancellation coverage and provides lower benefits.
You can also compare prices with other insurers using websites like InsureMyTrip.com or SquareMouth, which allow you to compare multiple insurers in one place.
It is worth noting that policies sold by airlines and travel websites have been described as providing "pretty thin coverage". According to Sasha Gainullin, a travel insurance expert and CEO of battleface, airline-sponsored travel insurance policies often have “low limits” and are "exclusion-driven products". Gainullin recommends only using a company that is responsible for its own products and services and can respond to customer emergencies 24/7.
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Frequently asked questions
United Airlines' insurance offers trip cancellation/interruption coverage for non-refundable airline tickets, hotel and rental car costs, as well as emergency medical and dental, emergency medical transportation, travel delay and concierge services.
United flight insurance may be worth it if you want peace of mind and to protect your trip investment. However, some travellers have noted that airline insurance plans are designed to benefit the airline and not the passenger, with "low limits" and "exclusion-driven products". It is recommended to compare prices and coverage across different insurers and also check if your credit card offers travel protection benefits.
Some alternatives to United flight insurance include purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance plan from a third-party provider or a standalone travel medical insurance policy. You can also compare prices and coverage across different insurers using consolidator websites like InsureMyTrip.com or SquareMouth.
When deciding if United flight insurance is worth it for you, consider the type of coverage you need, your budget, and the complexity of your travel plans. Check if your trip is refundable, where you're going, whether you'll have health coverage at your destination, and how much coverage you already get from your credit card.
