Between price increases and inconveniences in the skies, the race for policies is growing, but, warns Confconsumatori, passengers already have protections provided by law: here’s what insurance really covers and what to check before purchasing it
The race for travel insurance has started: faced with canceled or at-risk flights, more and more passengers are looking for a safety net to feel safe. But are we certain that a policy is really the most effective response? Just as the summer season approaches, with the boom in fuel prices due to war and the fear of more and more canceled flights, the belief is spreading that travel insurance is enough to protect yourself from any unexpected event. This is not the case, warns Confconsumatori. A policy only works if it is tailor-made and truly consistent with the risks to be covered; otherwise it risks turning into an unnecessary cost rather than a guarantee. Before clicking on “add policy” when buying a flight, it is worth stopping for a moment and asking yourself: am I purchasing real protection or am I paying for something that, in part, is already provided for by law?
Flight cancellations: what really happens and what the law requires
The first point to clarify is that passengers are not without protection. In many cases they are already protected, without the need for any additional insurance. There is Regulation (EC) 261/2004, a European regulation that establishes precise rights in the event of flight cancellation, even when due to exceptional circumstances such as energy crises or fuel problems. In concrete terms, if a flight is cancelled, the airline is obliged to offer a refund of the ticket or an alternative flight and assistance at the airport (meals, drinks, hotels if necessary). This applies even when the cancellation does not directly depend on the company. And there is an often ignored aspect: the ticket is always refunded, even if the cancellation occurs well in advance (over two weeks). What changes, if necessary, is only the right to additional economic compensation. Furthermore, in the case of tourist packages, the Tourism Code also comes into play: if extraordinary circumstances arise in the destination, the traveler can cancel without penalties and obtain a full refund.
Travel insurance: why it can be an illusion
It is precisely here that the risk reported by Confconsumatori arises: many travelers purchase a policy thinking they are covering events that are actually already guaranteed by law. The problem is not the insurance itself, which remains a useful tool in many cases, but the way in which it is chosen. Often the policy proposed at the time of purchasing the flight is selected automatically, without reading the contractual conditions. And here the critical issues emerge. Not all insurances cover all types of cancellations. If, for example, the policy does not explicitly include events such as energy crises or fuel shortages, the risk is that when needed, the request for reimbursement will be rejected. The result is what consumer associations define as a “double insult”: you pay for a policy and discover that it is useless.
And in addition there is the question of deductiblesi.e. the cost portions that remain the responsibility of the passenger. In these cases, even when coverage exists, reimbursement may not be complete. Also in this case it is essential to carefully read the contractual conditions before clicking “buy”.
When is it really worth getting travel insurance?
To say that insurance is useless would be wrong. But it is essential to understand when it makes sense. A policy becomes really useful when it covers additional damages than those already provided for by law. For example: medical expenses abroad; loss or damage to baggage; civil liability and trip cancellation for personal reasons. Coverage for indirect inconveniences due to cancellation can also make sense, but only if clearly included in the contract.
How to choose a flight insurance policy: what to really check
To avoid surprises, there is only one rule: (really) read the insurance contract. There are some decisive elements to check before buying: which events are covered (and which are excluded); if cancellations for extraordinary reasons are included; the possible presence of deductibles; the maximum reimbursement limits and the conditions for obtaining compensation. It is also important to consider factors such as the destination, the duration of the trip and the number of people involved, because they affect both the cost and usefulness of the policy. Confconsumatori’s advice lies precisely in this: to protect ourselves it is not always necessary to add costs, but to inform ourselves well about what we buy to protect ourselves and know our rights.
