For more on this part of the insurance industry:
This is a financial safety net for individual travellers, families, businesspeople, and other passengers who fly within or outside the country. Common situations this insurance can cover include:
UK airports in 2023 handled over 250 million passengers, with many flying for holidays or business. With so many people in the air, insurance is essential to protect people when travel plans go wrong.
Thousands of airline passengers could be left stranded if a major storm forced airports to cancel flights for two days.
Many travellers without insurance would have to pay out of pocket for hotel stays, missed bookings, and alternative transport. This shows how useful aircraft passenger insurance can be.
Passengers booking adventure trips want cover that includes medical help and evacuation. Older travellers are also flying more and often need cover for health conditions.
Flexible cancellation add-ons are becoming popular as well, especially for costly or complex holidays. But brokers must also focus on issues like:
Extreme weather and travel scams are adding new hazards for airline passengers. Some scams trick travellers into booking fake flights or sharing card details.
Airlines must have insurance that covers passengers if they are hurt or killed in a flight accident. This cover is automatic and required by law.
The legal minimum is 250,000 Special Drawing Rights (SDR) per passenger (around £270,000). It is set by the CAA, which still applies in the UK.
For more specific risks, travellers need their own airline passenger insurance.
Passengers are only insured by the airline for accidents during the flight. To cover common travel problems, they must buy aircraft passenger insurance before they travel.
Passengers don’t have to stick to the basics because they can add extra cover to match how and where they’re travelling.
Here are some common options:
baggage cover: secures against lost, stolen, or damaged bags
travel disruption cover: helps with delays from strikes or bad weather
missed connection cover: useful if a delay causes them to miss the next flight
winter sports cover: covers skiing or snowboarding accidents
gadget cover: protects phones, tablets, and laptops taken on the trip
cruise cover: for holidays that include a cruise partway through
Brokers can guide clients on which extras make sense. These airline passenger insurance add-ons help clients stay protected beyond the basics.
Yes, travellers can purchase single-trip travel insurance that covers a specific journey. This airline passenger insurance policy typically includes protection against trip cancellations and medical emergencies during the trip.
It's advisable to review the policy details to ensure it meets the client’s specific needs for the flight. Comparing quotes from different providers can also allow them to find suitable coverage.
Yes, it’s worth it—especially for passengers booking long-haul, connecting, or non-refundable flights. A single delay or cancellation can quickly lead to unexpected costs.
Airline passenger insurance helps cover medical bills abroad, which can reach thousands without warning. It also safeguards holiday bookings, accommodation, and baggage. The UK government advises British travellers to take out insurance for trips abroad.
Brokers should explain that many passengers wrongly believe the airline will cover everything.
Yes, passengers can still buy airline passenger insurance after booking a flight—as long as they haven’t started travelling yet. Most UK providers allow it.
Brokers should encourage clients to buy soon after booking. Waiting too long means they won’t be covered if plans change before the trip starts.
No, cover can’t be bought once the flight has taken off. Insurance must be arranged before departure or, in rare cases, while already abroad.
In most cases, no. Travel insurance must be bought before leaving the UK. Some providers offer post-departure cover, but it’s rare and often costs more.
It’s best to buy airline passenger insurance right after booking flights. That way, passengers are covered if they need to cancel for a valid reason before flying.
