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Travel Insurance Benefits for Missed Connections

Travel hiccups can cause US Residents to miss their connections, but travel insurance may help

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At a glance

  • Missed connection insurance benefits are included in the Explorer and Epic protection plans offered by World Nomads Travel Insurance
  • This benefit may help if a covered delay causes you to miss your scheduled trip departure for things like a cruise, guided tour or a flight on another carrier
  • You may be reimbursed for the unused nonrefundable land or water payments or deposits for your trip
  • Additional transportation costs to join your scheduled trip may also be covered  

Why consider travel insurance for missed connections?

According to data from Cruise Lines International Association, almost 40 million people are taking cruises in 2026*. If you’re one of those people, and traveling to another city to board your cruise, you may want to consider a trip protection plan that includes a missed connection benefit. If your flight doesn’t arrive on time and your ship sails away before you arrive, you may be covered for things like additional transportation costs that will allow you to meet up with your cruise at the next port.

This benefit is meant to help if there’s a covered delay that causes you to miss your scheduled trip departure for things like a cruise, guided tour or a flight on another carrier. You may be reimbursed for the unused nonrefundable land or water payments or deposits for your trip, and the additional transportation costs to join your scheduled trip.  The Missed Connection Benefit is included in the Explorer and Epic plans offered by World Nomads Travel Insurance.

Missed Connection Reasons That May Be Covered

Important to Know

  • Only available on the Explorer and Epic plans for delays longer than 3 consecutive hours
  • Missed flights due to your own fault aren’t covered
  • You must obtain documentation showing the reason of your missed connection
  • Terms and conditions apply; read your plan documents to understand the coverage

Maximum Benefit Amounts for Missed Connections

Explorer PlanEpic Plan
Up to $3,000

Get a quote		 Up to $5,000

Get a quote
Compare all benefits and plans

How can the Missed Connection benefit help me with delayed or cancelled flights?

Travelers often use two separate airlines to get to a destination. However, if one is running behind and it causes you to miss your next flight, the first airline may not be inclined to pay for you to get another flight on the second airline.

If one carrier is running at least 3 consecutive hours late and you miss your next flight on another carrier, you’ll likely be stuck with the cost of buying a new flight. However, with the Missed Connection benefit, World Nomads travel protection plan may also cover the cost of a new flight to get to your trip destination.

What should you do if you have a missed connection?

  • Try to recoup prepaid, unused, forfeited, nonrefundable expenses from your travel providers before filing a claim.
  • You can log in to your member account online to start a claim. If you didn’t create one previously, you can still create an account. You must advise us within 20 days of your missed connection if you are making a claim.
  • Save all documentation that may be needed for your claim. You may be asked to provide things like documentation from your travel provider showing the reason for the missed connection, as well as receipts from transportation and tour operators.

Travel Tips from Our Nomads

We’ve traveled to meet up with tour groups and journeyed to other cities to board cruise ships. Along the way, we’ve learned a few things.

  • Plan to arrive at least a day early - Recent data shows that 37% of travelers are allowing more time to reach their destinations*. With the frequency of delayed and canceled flights, that’s not a bad idea. If you’re going on a cruise or joining a tour group, you don’t want them to leave without you. Try to arrive in your departure city with plenty of time to spare – at least a day early.
  • Find some fun things to do in your departure city - Make the most of your early arrival by looking for fun things to do in your departure city. Use your extra time to have another vacation before your main journey starts.
  • Save your travel protection plan information in your phone - Save the phone number for the 24/7 Non-Insurance Assistance Services in your phone, as well as the plan number for the travel protection plan you purchased. You’ll want to have that easily accessible if you have a missed connection and need to contact us.

FAQ

Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for missed connections. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.

  • What is the best travel insurance plan for cruises and group tours?

    Only you can decide what plan is best for you. World Nomads Travel Insurance offers single trip and annual travel protection plans for US residents. If you’re interested in a plan that includes the Missed Connection benefit, though, you’ll want to look at the Explorer and Epic plans. Those are the only plans that include this benefit. That benefit may help with missed connections if you are late arriving in the city where your cruise or group tour is departing from. You may be reimbursed for the unused nonrefundable land or water payments or deposits for your trip, and the additional transportation cost to join your scheduled trip. 

    When you get a quote, you’ll be able to compare plans side by side and learn more about everything that is covered by each one. Maximum benefits can be found in the Schedule of Benefits in your policy wording and are subject to any applicable sub-limits. Read through all of the information so that you can pick the travel protection plan that fits your needs. If you have questions, contact our team and they will be happy to assist.

  • Should I get travel insurance for an Antarctica cruise?

    Cruises to Antarctica are a big investment. Add up how much you’re spending on your cruise, and take that into consideration when you get a quote and compare travel insurance coverage. You’ll want to make sure you choose the proper plan that is sufficient to cover your investment.

    There are multiple ways a travel protection plan may assist with situations that can happen when taking a cruise. One thing to consider is that a cruise to Antarctica will usually include a flight to a departure port such as Ushuaia, Argentina. A delayed or canceled flight may cause your ship to leave for Antarctica without you, though. Missed Connection benefits are included in the Explorer and Epic plans offered by World Nomads Travel Insurance and may assist with situations such as this.

  • What happens if I arrive late and my cruise leaves without me?
    Travel insurance won’t help if you just fail to get to your ship on time because you overslept – or if it sails away without you for any fault of your own. However, if you need to fly to the city where you’re boarding your ship, you’re at the mercy of your airline to get you there before your ship sails. But let’s face it – sometimes flights aren’t on time.  If your arrival is delayed for at least 3 consecutive hours for a covered reason, your Missed Connection travel insurance benefits may reimburse you for the cost, up to the plan maximum outlined in your plan documents, to join your cruise at their next port of call. You may have to catch a flight to that city and board the ship there, but your plan may reimburse you for the cost of that additional flight you didn’t plan for. If you miss out on any special activities that you had paid for in advance on the cruise, you may be reimbursed for those unused, forfeited, prepaid nonrefundable payments and deposits for your land or water travel arrangements you made for the trip.
  • Is it ok to fly on two separate airlines to get to my destination?
    Travelers often use two separate airlines to get to a destination. However, if one is running behind and it causes you to miss your next flight, the airline may not be inclined to pay for you to get another flight on the other airline. If one carrier is running at least 3 consecutive hours late and you miss your next flight on another carrier, you’ll likely be stuck with the cost of buying a new flight. However, with the missed connection benefit, World Nomads travel protection plan may also cover the cost of a new flight to get to your trip destination.
*This website is not affiliated with United States Fire Insurance Company, World Nomads, or Trip Mate. 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

Trip Protection

Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.

  • Standard Plan: $2,500
  • Explorer Plan: $10,000
  • Epic Plan: $15,000
  • Annual Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalized?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

  • Standard Plan: $125,000
  • Explorer Plan: $150,000
  • Epic Plan: $250,000
  • Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Evacuation

We'll provide assistance to get you to the hospital or home quickly.

  • Standard Plan: $400,000
  • Explorer Plan: $500,000
  • Epic Plan: $700,000
  • Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Evacuation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medevac home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Covers the loss, theft or damage of your bags, tech and gear.

  • Standard Plan: $1,000
  • Explorer Plan: $2,000
  • Epic Plan: $3,000
  • Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
  • Passport or tech stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

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.