Buying flight insurance can put your mind at rest, but informed consumers should learn the differences between flight and more comprehensive travel insurance, and whether these are really necessary and worth the expense. The Internet offers a number of websites that provide information about flight and other types of travel insurance and offer quote comparisons and options to buy online.
Decide if you want specific flight insurance that is known as an "Accidental Death and Dismemberment" policy. This type of insurance covers you and your family for the length of your trip on regularly scheduled flights on commercial passenger airlines. You are covered not only while the plane is in flight but also while you are boarding or getting off the plane.
Compare benefits and costs of various plans. AD&D coverage should include 100 percent benefit paid for the loss of life, loss of both limbs, loss of sight in both eyes or the loss of one limb and the sight from one eye. The insurer should pay 50 percent of benefit for the loss of one limb or the loss of sight in one eye. The loss must occur within a calendar year, 365 days, of the accident.
Find out if the flight insurance also covers such options as emergency medical and dental benefits, terrorism coverage, or evacuation and repatriation coverage. Be aware, however, that flight insurance is not the same as travel insurance that covers non-refundable deposits and other comprehensive coverage for such things as trip cancellation, medical expenses, or loss or theft of luggage. Flight insurance is specifically designed and intended to provide financial compensation in the event of your death or dismemberment on a flight.
Visit insurance websites to compare coverage and costs for various plans. The AIG TravelGuard site includes airline strike information. Universal Travel Protector offers side by side plan comparisons. USA Insurance also offers plan and price comparisons. See the Resources section below for website links.
