Monsoon mayhem and flight disruptions: A guide to travel insurance coverage

Torrential rains and thunderstorms hit Mumbai and several districts in Maharashtra on Monday (May 26), disrupting daily life and triggering concerns about travel plans. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for the city, forecasting gusty winds, lightning, and heavy showers across regions like Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Nashik.

With experts predicting an early monsoon, such weather conditions often lead to flight delays, diversions, and cancellations—posing challenges for those with upcoming travel.

In such scenarios, it’s crucial to understand what travel insurance can and cannot cover.

Travel insurance does cover bad weather—with conditions

“Most domestic travel insurance policies in India do cover flight delays or cancellations caused by unexpected weather like heavy rain or flooding,” said Meet Kapadia, Head of Travel Insurance at Policybazaar. “But the delay must exceed a certain threshold—typically between 3 to 6 hours—before coverage applies.”

Vivek Chaturvedi, CMO and Head of Direct Sales at Go Digit General Insurance, added, “The delay or cancellation must be a last-minute event. If it was announced well in advance, some policies may exclude coverage.”

Hotel expenses may be reimbursed

Unexpected overnight stays due to diverted or delayed flights may also be reimbursed, depending on the policy.

“Many plans provide reimbursement under ‘Trip Interruption’ or ‘Additional Accommodation’ if your flight is diverted or delayed overnight,” said Kapadia. “But you’ll need receipts and proof of the airline delay.”

Chaturvedi noted that airlines are often the first to offer help. “Airlines usually cover hotel stays if the delay is significant. Travel insurance can act as a safety net if airline support is limited.”

Emergency landings and rerouted flights also covered

If a flight is diverted to another city or makes an emergency landing due to monsoon weather, your policy may help.

“Such costs are often covered under ‘Trip Curtailment’ or ‘Missed Connection’ clauses,” said Kapadia. “Documentation from the airline is key to filing a claim.”

Chaturvedi pointed out that Digit’s On The Move policy explicitly covers such weather-induced diversions.

Faster claims in monsoon emergencies

“Standard claims take 7 to 15 working days, but in monsoon emergencies, insurers—including our partners—often offer fast-track processing,” said Kapadia.

Last-minute policy purchases still work—sometimes

You can buy travel insurance even a few hours before your journey—but timing matters.

“If a weather alert is already issued before you buy the policy, claims for related delays might be excluded,” warned Kapadia. “Buy insurance early to stay fully protected.”

Chaturvedi agreed. “Last-minute purchases work for truly unexpected disruptions. But known delays or cancellations won’t be covered.”

Policies available

Here’s a list of some travel policies available in India:

(Source: Bankbazaar)