Flight Accident Coverage

This coverage provides a lump sum benefit (up to the policy limit) if loss of life or limb occurs while boarding, traveling in, or disembarking from an airplane during a covered trip.

Contents (click to jump down) What does Flight Accident cover? What the airlines cover Important notes about this coverage What type of policy covers this? How much coverage does each company provide? Summary

Let us tell you a story

Jack and Liz had been enjoying their golden years, which they kept packed with travel and visits to their grandchildren, who were scattered across the U.S. They had left their careers, and the life insurance benefits that came with them, behind years ago because their children were grown and their home was mortgage-free.

Jack and Liz were conscientious about keeping travel insurance coverage, however, which their children were grateful for when their plane crashed on landing at the end of their latest overseas trip. Their kids divided the funds and invested them in the grandchildren’s college savings accounts. Jack and Liz would have wanted it that way.

What does Flight Accident cover?

This coverage provides a lump sum payment if a loss occurs. Specifically, it provides benefits up to the policy limit if the insured sustains an injury that results in:

• your death
• total permanent loss of sight in one or both eyes
• permanent loss of one or both of your hands or feet

Specific requirements (all must apply) for this coverage include:

• You must be a ticketed passenger on a regularly scheduled flight
• The accident must happen while you are boarding, traveling in, or disembarking from the airplane
• The loss must be a direct result of an accident and must occur within a certain number of days (usually 180-365) of the accident.

Death benefits are paid paid at 100% of the policy limit. Dismemberment benefits are paid at a percentage (typically 50%) for one loss and increase for multiple losses up to 100% of the policy limit. Refer to the schedule of benefits in the policy certificate for details.

This coverage does not provide for emergency medical evacuations or the repatriation of the insured’s remains. Those coverages are separate and designed to transport the insured to a location where medical treatment can be received, or, in the case of death, to a location where their body can be prepared for burial.

What the airlines cover

Most travelers wave the need for flight accident coverage thinking the airline will provide compensation in the event of an accident.

In many cases, the circumstances around an aviation accident involve the efforts of federal agencies who will investigate the accident, pilot conduct, flight operations, aircraft maintenance schedules and more. While the airline will eventually be required to provide compensation, it is impossible to know how much compensation will be provided and when that compensation will be available (especially if lawyers get involved).

Flight accident coverage provides more immediate compensation and you can determine the beneficiaries of your policy. Flight accident coverage is similar and in addition to your existing life insurance plan (if you have one).

Important notes about this coverage

• This coverage is separate from and in addition to any reimbursement from the airline
• This coverage does not provide for the transportation of the insured or the insured’s body–see emergency evacuation/repatriation coverage for transportation coverage

What type of policy covers this?

Flight accident coverage is offered in both travel medical and package plans. In some cases, flight accident coverage is an optional upgrade that can be added to the original policy.

Summary

• This coverage provides a lump sum amount in the event of death or permanent dismemberment
• Dismemberment benefits are paid at a percentage of the policy limit according to the schedule outlined in the policy certificate
• This coverage does not provide for the transportation of the injured or their body
• This coverage is in addition to any other life or disability insurance owned by the insured