What to Do When Your Flight is Delayed (and How Insurance Can Help)

Delayed Again? Here’s How to Claim Travel Insurance Like a Pro

Flight delays can turn dream vacations into airport nightmares—whether you're stuck at NAIA with zero updates, no charging ports, and gastos piling up by the hour. But here’s the good news: if you’ve got travel insurance for flight delays, you might be able to recover those unexpected costs.
 

With Oona Travel Insurance, you can claim reimbursements for meals, hotel stays, transportation, and even missed connections—provided your delay hits the right conditions. Not sure how it all works? Don’t worry.
 

This guide will walk you through:
 

✅ How to file a flight delay travel insurance claim step by step
 

✅ The documents, receipts, and proof you need
 

✅ Which expenses are covered—and what’s not
 

✅ Smart tips to make sure your claim gets approved

But before we dive in, let’s break down what actually counts as a claimable delay—because not every hold-up gets you a payout.

What Counts as a Flight Delay in Travel Insurance?

Not all flight delays are treated equally—at least not by your travel insurance provider. To qualify for flight delay benefits, the delay needs to meet certain conditions defined in your policy.
 

For most travel insurance plans (including Oona Travel Insurance), a claimable delay typically means your flight was pushed back by more than 6 consecutive hours from the original scheduled departure. And it has to be outside of your control—so, no, oversleeping or getting stuck in traffic doesn’t count.
 

Here are the most common covered reasons for claimable flight delays:
 

• Aircraft mechanical failure – If the plane breaks down and it’s not your fault.
  
  

• Severe weather conditions – Think typhoons, thunderstorms, thick fog, or heavy rains.
  
  

• Ground operations issues – Runway closures, air traffic issues, or airport shutdowns.
  
  

• Airline rescheduling – If the airline changes your flight and it leads to a significant delay or missed connection.
   

Delays due to personal reasons—like arriving late at the airport or forgetting your passport—are not covered under any standard travel insurance policy.
 

Want a deeper dive into what's covered? Check out The Truth About Travel Insurance: What You're Really Paying For
 

Now that you know what counts as a claimable delay, here’s how to file your travel insurance claim—step by step.

Step-by-Step: How to Claim for a Flight Delay

Flight delays are stressful enough—claiming your travel insurance shouldn’t be. Here’s exactly what to do when your flight gets held up, so you can get reimbursed faster and with less hassle.

1. Step 1: Document the Delay ASAP

As soon as your flight is delayed, start collecting proof. You’ll need this to support your flight delay insurance claim later.
 

Take clear photos of:
 

• The airport departure board showing “Delayed” or “Cancelled”
  
  

• Any SMS or email alerts from the airline
  
  

• Your boarding pass and flight itinerary
   

Important: Head to the airline counter and ask for a Flight Delay Certificate—this is your golden ticket for any travel insurance claim related to delays.

Step 2: Track All Your Expenses (and Save Receipts!) 

If the delay stretches on, you may need to spend on food, shelter, or essentials. Keep every receipt—you’ll need these to get reimbursed.
 

Oona covers reasonable costs for:
 

• 🍽️ Meals
  
  

• 🏨 Accommodation (if stranded overnight)
  
  

• 🧴 Essential purchases (toiletries, bottled water, light snacks)
  
  

Pro tip: Use a credit card to make expense tracking easier and more organized.

Step 3: Notify Oona or Your Travel Insurance Provider

If you have Oona Travel Insurance, the claims process is fully digital—no paperwork, no waiting in line.
 

Simply head to our Travel Insurance Claims page to:
 

• File your travel delay claim online
   

• Upload your receipts and documents
   

• Track your claim status, anytime
   

Need help? We’re here 24/7:
 

• Outside the Philippines: (+00) 632 8459 4727
  
  

• Within PH: (02) 8459 4727
  
  

• Email: travelassist@oona-insurance.com.ph
  
  

When to notify: Ideally within 24 to 48 hours of the delay. The sooner we know, the faster we can help and flag any missing documents early on or to provide clarification on what’s covered.

With Oona, you're never alone when travel plans go sideways—real-time support and digital convenience are just a click or call away.

Step 4: Submit Your Claim Online

Ready to file? Here’s a checklist of what you’ll need to prepare:
 

• Completed claim form (found on our website)
  
  

• Your boarding pass and original flight itinerary
  
  

• The all-important Flight Delay Certificate from the airline
  
  

• Receipts for meals, hotel, or essentials (photos or scanned copies are okay)
  
  

• A valid government-issued ID and your Oona policy number
   

Everything can be uploaded digitally—no need to print or mail anything. Just make sure files are clear, legible, and complete so our team can review your claim without delay.

Step 5: Follow Up (If Needed)

Most claims are processed within 5 to 15 working days, depending on the completeness of your documents and the specifics of your case.
 

We’ll send updates via email, but feel free to follow up if you haven’t heard back within that timeframe.
 

Heads-up: These timelines are estimates. Some claims may be processed sooner, others may take longer if additional info is needed.
 

Up next: Not sure which expenses are actually covered—or which ones will likely be denied? Let’s break it down in the next section.

What Expenses Are Covered (and What’s Not)

So your flight’s been delayed—now what? If you have travel insurance, you could be reimbursed for more than you think. But not every purchase will be covered, and there are a few rules to keep in mind.
 

Here’s a simple breakdown of what Oona Travel Insurance typically covers when delays stretch past 6 hours and meet the claim conditions.

These are considered reasonable, necessary expenses caused directly by the delay. The key word is “reasonable”—a basic hotel and meal are covered, but a luxury suite and a fine-dining dinner probably won’t make the cut.

Not covered:

It’s also worth noting that some expenses—like souvenirs or convenience purchases (e.g. books, magazines, or entertainment)—may not qualify unless you can show they were truly essential due to the delay.
 

Need more details? Read Flight Delay Insurance: Turn Travel Delays into Opportunities
 

Even with a valid reason and covered expenses, your travel delay claim could still be denied if you miss a key step. So let’s go over the most common mistakes travelers make—and how to avoid them.

Avoiding Rejected Claims: Common Pitfalls

Filing a flight delay claim with your travel insurance provider is usually quick and painless—if you do it right. But even legitimate claims can be denied if key steps are missed. To make sure you get reimbursed without the headache, watch out for these common mistakes:
 

• No airline certification
  This is the number one reason claims get denied. You need official proof from the airline that your flight was delayed or cancelled.

  
  What to do: Ask for a Flight Delay Certificate at the airport, or request it through the airline’s website or customer service hotline.
   

• Missing receipts
  If you don’t have receipts, there’s no way to prove what you spent. Even small items like snacks need documentation.

  
  What to do: Keep digital or paper copies of every meal, hotel, or transport receipt. Using a credit card helps keep records clean and trackable.
   

• Late Submission
  Most travel insurance providers (including Oona) require you to file within 30 days of your flight delay. After that, your claim may be rejected—even if it’s valid.

  
  What to do: File your claim as soon as you’re able. The sooner you start, the faster you’ll get reimbursed.
   

• Claiming Non-Covered Reasons
  Delays due to your actions—like arriving late to the airport or missing check-in—don’t count. Your delay must be caused by a covered event (weather, mechanical issues, etc.).

  
  What to do: Review your policy’s list of covered events before filing. If you're unsure, contact Oona’s 24/7 support team for guidance.
   

Want to make sure your travel insurance claim for a delayed flight gets approved? Follow these tips, stay organized, and don’t wait too long to file.
 

Up next: tried-and-tested tips to make your claim experience fast, stress-free, and successful.

Claiming Without the Headache: Tips That Actually Work

Filing a travel insurance claim for a delayed flight doesn’t have to be stressful or complicated. With a bit of prep and the right strategy, you can speed up the process and avoid the usual back-and-forth.
 

Here are expert-backed tips to help you claim like a pro:
 

• Act quickly
  Report your delay to Oona within 24 to 48 hours of your original flight time.

  
  Why it matters: Prompt notification helps our team verify the incident while airline records are fresh—leading to faster processing.
   

• Get everything in writing
  Don’t just rely on verbal confirmation at the airport.

  
  What to do: Request written proof from the airline—like a Flight Delay Certificate or an official email update. This is your strongest evidence.
  
  

• Take photos of receipts
  Receipts fade fast—especially thermal ones from airports.

  
  Pro tip: Take clear photos of all receipts (meals, hotel, essentials) as soon as you get them. Save them to a dedicated album or folder for easy access.
   

• Organize your files
  Make it easy for your claims processor.
  
  Group your documents by type:
   

• Boarding pass + itinerary

• Flight Delay Certificate

• Receipts (with labels)

• Valid ID + policy number

Having everything in one place avoids delays in reimbursement.

• Know your coverage limits
  Before you splurge on a five-star meal or luxury hotel, check your policy.
   

Important: Some items may have per-day or per-item limits, even if the expense is valid. Knowing your cap helps you claim smarter.

Still unsure about what travel insurance actually covers? Don’t miss this: Top 5 Travel Insurance Myths Debunked—so you won’t fall for common misunderstandings that could cost you.

Travel Delay Claim Example: What a Real Timeline Looks Like

Still wondering how long it actually takes to get reimbursed after a delayed flight? Here's a sample timeline of a typical travel insurance claim for flight delays in the Philippines—from airport chaos to payout.

Disclaimer: This is a simulated timeline for illustration only. Actual processing times can vary depending on the complexity of your case and completeness of your documents.
 

Want a smooth experience like this? The best claim is the one you’re ready for.
 

Here’s how to prepare even before your trip begins—so you’re protected from any travel surprise.

Traveling Soon? Plan Ahead with Travel Insurance

Don’t wait for a last-minute aberya before getting protected. Whether you’re flying domestic or international, travel insurance should be part of your checklist—not an afterthought.
 

With Oona Travel Insurance, you get more than just coverage for your flight. You get protection for your wallet, your time, and your peace of mind.
 

Here’s a quick look at what’s usually covered:
 

• Flight delays (6+ hours)
  
  

• Medical emergencies abroad
  
  

• Lost or delayed baggage
  
  

• Trip cancellations or interruptions
   

If you're planning a trip soon, read this first: Ultimate Guide to Choosing Travel Insurance
 

Flight delays are unpredictable—but your protection doesn’t have to be.
 

With Oona, you’re ready for anything that comes your way.

Conclusion

Flight delays are stressful—but your claim doesn’t have to be. With the right travel insurance, you can recover costs for meals, hotel stays, and rebooking expenses—as long as you know how to file a proper claim.
 

That’s where Oona Travel Insurance makes all the difference. We keep things simple with:
 

• A fully online process (no paperwork, no long lines)
  
  

• 24/7 claims assistance—whether you're in NAIA or halfway around the world
  
  

• A support team ready to guide you, step by step
   

So the next time plans don’t go as expected, you’re not left guessing—you’re covered.
 

For smooth, stress-free claims, start here: File a claim with Oona Travel Insurance
 

Need help? Contact Oona Travel Claims anytime:

• Outside the PH: (+00) 632 8459 4727
  
  
• Within the PH: (02) 8459 4727
  
  
• Email: travelassist@oona-insurance.com.ph