The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) new rule on airline passengers’ rights marked a major change, aimed at strengthening consumer protection and setting clear standards for both the travel industry and travelers. While this action is a step in the right direction, it’s important for travelers not to become overly confident that it covers all their needs.
Our team previously outlined three key takeaways from this new rule. Yet this topic is worth revisiting to underscore that travelers need to beware of the false sense of security this rule may give as they hit the road. Air travel is just one part of a trip, and the new rule leaves gaps that travel insurance can help fill.
Thinking beyond just the flight
The reality is that the DOT rule primarily focuses on issues such as flight delays and cancellations. However, it does not cover many other travel disruptions like unexpected medical emergencies, lost luggage, or trip interruptions that can arise during the entirety of a journey. That’s where travel insurance is beneficial.
Consider the impact of a sudden illness while abroad, a stolen passport, or a natural disaster affecting travel plans before a trip has even begun. These scenarios can quickly derail travel plans, and the DOT rule won’t provide the financial support to handle them. Relying solely on the DOT rule overlooks the broader scope of travel risks that can be mitigated with travel insurance.
The Aon Travel Takeaway
“The new DOT rule is a welcome improvement to airline passenger rights, but it is not a catch-all solution for protecting your entire journey,” said Beth Godlin, president of Aon Affinity Travel Practice. “Travel insurance is a safeguard that helps fill in the gaps for the unexpected challenges you may face along the way.”