Travel insurance for missed connections

When you book flights on separate tickets, each booking is a separate purchase with a different airline or booking reference. This means you’re responsible for making the connection between the two flights. And if there’s a delay, the airlines have no agreement or duty to help you if you miss a connecting flight.

This is different from a through-ticket or connecting journey, where one airline (or a group of code-sharing airlines) issues a single booking that covers your full journey on multiple flights. On a through-ticket, the airline you booked with takes responsibility for getting you to your final destination - even if a delay causes you to miss a connection.

The short answer is - very few. When flights are booked separately, airlines are typically not liable for missed onward flights booked independently. The airline operating your delayed first flight only has responsibility for getting you to the destination shown on that ticket.

Under UK and EU air passenger rights legislation (UK261), airlines must provide care and assistance - such as meals and hotel accommodation - if your flight is significantly delayed. However, this only covers the flight on that specific ticket. It does not extend to costs arising from a missed connection you booked yourself on a separate ticket.

This is important - don’t assume the first airline will rebook you onto a new connecting flight free of charge. You’ll usually need to buy a new ticket at your expense and claim the money back through your travel insurance.

Travel insurance doesn’t typically include specific 'missed connection' cover. However, you may be able to make a claim under the travel delay section of your policy - provided you meet the required conditions.

With Tesco Travel Insurance, our Travel Delay benefit covers:

For a Travel Delay claim to be valid, you must have allowed sufficient time between your flights and have been ready to board the connecting flight at the required time. And the usual terms, conditions, and exclusions of the policy apply.

A lot of people underestimate this. Unlike a through-ticket where you stay ‘airside’ in the airport, on a separate connection you’ll need to go through passport control, collect your bags, check in again, and clear security - all before your departure gate closes. You must allow enough time to complete all of these steps comfortably.

Connecting within the UK or Europe

Connecting outside the UK or Europe

This matters for your travel insurance because if you haven’t allowed the minimum recommended connection time, a travel delay claim may not be valid. Insurers will always look at whether you allowed a reasonable amount of time to make the connection.

Good documentation will really help if you need to make a travel insurance claim. Keep the following as a minimum:

Retaining receipts really matters because a higher claim limit applies if you can evidence your additional expenses with receipts. Without them, the money you can claim may be lower.

For more information on delays and setbacks see our guide - Will travel insurance cover cancellation and disruptions?

You may and this is often overlooked. On a through-ticket with the same airline or a code-share partner, passengers typically remain airside - in the international transit area of the airport - and don’t pass through immigration. On a separate booking, you’ll almost always need to clear immigration, collect your bags, exit into Arrivals and then go to Departures to check in again.

This means a transit visa may be required for your connecting country, even if you’re only there for a few hours. Check visa requirements well ahead of travelling. If you don’t hold the required transit visa and are denied entry, you’re unlikely to be covered by your travel insurance.

If a tour operator or travel organiser has booked you onto connecting flights - even with different airlines that are not code-sharing partners - the situation is different. Under industry regulations, the tour organiser is responsible for your journey and is obliged to get you to your destination.

If you miss a connection on a package holiday, contact your tour operator immediately on landing. They may already have made alternative arrangements. If you need to pay for a replacement flight yourself, keep all receipts and claim the cost back when you return to the UK.

This protection only applies to package bookings. If you’ve independently booked your own flights on separate tickets, the regulations for tour operators don’t apply.

Taking these practical steps before you travel can significantly reduce your risk of problems:

Standard travel insurance policies vary in what they cover for delays and disruption. If you regularly book complex or multi-leg journeys on separate tickets, it is worth reviewing your policy carefully to make sure it meets your needs.

Consider reviewing your cover if:

Always read your policy documents carefully before travelling, paying particular attention to the travel delay and travel disruption sections, including the minimum delay periods and any limits on expenses.

Getting the right type of travel insurance doesn't just depend on the type of trip you're taking, it depends on the kind of traveller you are.

With Tesco Travel Insurance, you have 3 options:

We also have a range of optional extras - like Gadget Cover, Cruise Cover and Winter Sports Cover - so you can get more cover to suit your needs.

For more information about the different types of travel insurance, see our guide - What type of travel insurance should I get?

Tesco Travel Insurance is arranged and administered by Rock Insurance Services Limited and underwritten by AWP P&C S.A. Gadget Cover is underwritten by AmTrust Specialty Limited (AmTrust).

You'll find complete details of the cover, monetary limits, exclusions, excesses and terms in our policy documents.

The content on this page aims to offer an informative introduction to the subject matter but does not constitute expert financial advice specific to your own situation. All facts and figures were correct at time of publication and were compiled using a range of sources.