Covered Reasons for Trip Cancellation with United Airlines

United Airlines offers two main types of travel insurance plans: the Domestic Air Ticket Plan and the International Air Ticket Plan. These plans, underwritten by AIG Travel Guard, provide coverage for trip cancellation and other travel-related benefits. According to United's refund policy, some of the covered reasons for trip cancellation include:

Death of the traveler, any traveling companions or immediate family member
One or more travelers on the reservation are on jury duty during the travel dates
Illness or injury to the traveler or traveling companion that is diagnosed and treated by a physician within 3 days prior to travel
Illness or injury to the traveler's or traveling companion's immediate family member requiring hospitalization within 7 days prior to travel
Traveler or traveling companion is called to emergency military duty for a national disaster other than war
Traveler's or traveling companion's place of business is rendered unsuitable for business due to fire, flood, burglary or natural disaster and the traveler is required to work as a result
Traveler or traveling companion is quarantined
Traveler or traveling companion is hijacked or assaulted
Traveler or traveling companion's home is made uninhabitable by fire, flood, vandalism or natural disaster
Traveler or traveling companion is the victim of a felonious assault within 10 days prior to departure
Traveler or traveling companion is terminated or laid off from employment, provided that he or she has been employed for at least 1 continuous year
Traveler or traveling companion is required to work during the scheduled trip as a result of unforeseeable circumstances outside their control
Traveler or traveling companion is called to emergency duty for disaster relief efforts
Traveler or traveling companion is required to take an academic examination on a date that has been rescheduled to fall during the scheduled trip
Traveler or traveling companion is delayed by a traffic accident while en route to the point of departure
Traveler or traveling companion misses the scheduled departure due to the cancellation or delay of the airline, cruise line, or other common carrier caused by inclement weather or organized labor strikes
Traveler or traveling companion is involved in or delayed due to a traffic accident en route to the point of departure
Traveler or traveling companion is delayed due to a documented traffic accident or emergency road closure due to inclement weather
Traveler or traveling companion is delayed due to a hijacking
Traveler or traveling companion is involved in or delayed due to a documented theft of passports or travel documents
Traveler or traveling companion is delayed due to a natural disaster
Traveler or traveling companion is delayed due to a documented quarantine

To be eligible for trip cancellation coverage, you must purchase the insurance plan when booking your ticket. The plan provides reimbursement for 100% of your trip cost (up to $100,000) if you need to cancel for a covered reason.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What if I need to cancel for a reason not listed as covered?

If you need to cancel your trip for a reason not listed as covered, such as a change of plans or fear of travel, you would not be eligible for reimbursement under the standard trip cancellation coverage. However, you could consider upgrading to a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) policy, which allows you to cancel for any reason and receive a partial refund (typically 75% of your trip cost).

2. How do I file a claim for trip cancellation?

To file a claim, you would need to contact AIG Travel Guard, the underwriter of United's travel insurance plans. You will need to provide documentation supporting your reason for cancellation, such as a doctor's note for illness or a police report for theft of travel documents. AIG Travel Guard will review your claim and determine if it meets the criteria for reimbursement under the policy terms.

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3. Does United Airlines offer any other travel insurance benefits?

In addition to trip cancellation coverage, United's travel insurance plans also provide benefits for trip interruption, trip delay, missed connection, baggage delay, lost luggage, and accidental death and dismemberment. The International Air Ticket Plan also includes emergency medical expense and evacuation coverage.

4. Can I purchase travel insurance after booking my flight?

Yes, you can purchase United's travel insurance plans up until the day before your scheduled departure. However, for the best coverage, it's recommended to purchase the insurance when booking your flight, as this allows for coverage of pre-existing medical conditions and provides the most comprehensive benefits.

5. Are there any exclusions or limitations to United's trip cancellation coverage?

Yes, there are some exclusions and limitations to be aware of:

Pre-existing medical conditions are only covered if you purchase the insurance when booking your flight

Certain high-risk activities like skydiving or bungee jumping may be excluded

Cancellations due to known or foreseeable events at the time of purchase, such as a hurricane or pandemic, may not be covered

There are maximum limits on the amount of coverage provided for certain benefits, such as $500 per person for trip delay

Always review the full policy details and exclusions carefully before purchasing travel insurance to understand what is and is not covered.

6. Can I get a refund if United cancels my flight?

If United Airlines cancels your flight, you are entitled to a refund of the unused portion of your ticket. This is separate from the trip cancellation coverage provided by the travel insurance plan. United will provide a refund in the original form of payment or as a travel credit, depending on your preference.

7. What if I need to cancel due to illness or injury?

If you or a traveling companion becomes ill or injured before your trip, you may be eligible for trip cancellation coverage. You will need to provide a letter from a licensed doctor stating that you were unable to travel due to the illness or injury. If the illness or injury is to an immediate family member, you will need to provide their name and relationship to you.

8. Can I cancel for any reason and still get a refund?

The standard trip cancellation coverage provided by United's travel insurance plans only covers cancellations due to specific, listed reasons. If you need to cancel for any other reason, such as a change of plans or fear of travel, you would not be eligible for reimbursement under this coverage. However, United Vacations offers a separate "Travel Protection Plus" plan that includes a "Cancel for Any Reason" waiver. This allows you to cancel your vacation for any reason prior to departure and receive a full refund, minus the cost of the travel protection plan. Keep in mind that this plan is separate from the travel insurance offered by United Airlines and must be purchased through United Vacations.

9. How does United's travel insurance compare to other providers?

United's travel insurance plans are relatively comprehensive, providing coverage for trip cancellation, interruption, delay, lost or delayed baggage, and more. The International Air Ticket Plan also includes emergency medical and evacuation benefits. However, the plans have some limitations compared to other providers:

They do not allow for customization or addition of supplemental coverages like Cancel For Any Reason

The trip delay and baggage delay benefits have relatively low limits of $100 per day
The emergency medical and evacuation benefits are only included in the International Air Ticket Plan

When comparing travel insurance options, it's important to consider the specific benefits and limits that are most important to you and your trip. United's plans may be a good fit for those looking for a straightforward, airline-branded policy, but other providers may offer more flexibility and customization.

10. What if I need to make a change to my trip?

If you need to make a change to your trip, such as changing your travel dates or destination, you would need to contact United Airlines directly. The travel insurance plan does not cover changes to your trip, only cancellations due to covered reasons. However, if you purchased United Vacations' "Travel Protection Plus" plan, it includes a "No Change Fees" benefit that automatically waives United Vacations' fees for the first instance of a change, as long as there are no supplier change fees. This can provide some added flexibility if your plans change. In summary, United Airlines' travel insurance plans provide coverage for trip cancellation due to a variety of covered reasons, as well as other benefits like trip interruption, delay, and lost or delayed baggage. The plans are underwritten by AIG Travel Guard and can be purchased when booking your flight or up until the day before departure. To be eligible for reimbursement under the trip cancellation coverage, you must cancel your trip due to a reason listed in the policy, such as illness, injury, or a covered emergency. If you need to cancel for any other reason, you would not be eligible for reimbursement under the standard plan, but could consider upgrading to a Cancel For Any Reason policy. Always review the full policy details and exclusions carefully before purchasing travel insurance to understand what is and is not covered. And remember, the travel insurance plan is separate from United's refund policy, which provides refunds for unused tickets in certain situations