Emirates has announced the launch of its "Comprehensive Travel Insurance" program, in cooperation with Travel Guard, offering extended insurance benefits and additional support services for travelers in up to 27 markets.
The program covers compensation related to flight cancellations, delayed or lost baggage, medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation worldwide, as well as medical cover for conflict-related incidents of up to $25,000, according to a post on the Emirates website.
Emirates said the program allows, in some cases, trips to be extended by up to 30 days at no additional cost, noting that coverage and availability are subject to terms and conditions and may vary by market.
The airline also said it will continue to take travelers to their final destinations in certain cases, even when no Emirates flights are available or when itineraries include flights on other airlines, by rebooking them on alternative flights at no additional cost. This includes cases where flights are cancelled due to conflict-related circumstances or events, in line with the program's approved rules.
Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates, said customer feedback showed a continued desire to travel, alongside a growing need for more comprehensive insurance solutions, noting that the new program aims to expand the protection available to travelers.
He added that the cooperation with Travel Guard makes it possible to offer an insurance product that combines extended coverage with the support services Emirates provides throughout the different stages of travel.
For his part, Russell Antonio, Head of Global Business and Partnerships at Travel Guard, said the new product builds on the existing partnership with Emirates and aims to meet travelers' needs with wider coverage.
Emirates also continues to provide hotel accommodation during certain operational disruptions, including airspace closures, noting that this service is provided as part of the airline's services and is not part of the insurance benefits, and its availability may vary by market.
The program adds to a number of existing services, including the ability to change the travel date without fees for tickets booked from 2 April, and a free 24-hour fare hold service.
The Comprehensive Travel Insurance program can be purchased through the Emirates website during booking, or added to existing bookings through the Manage Booking service.
According to the list of markets in the statement, the program currently covers 27 markets: Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UAE and the United Kingdom, with coverage and availability subject to terms and conditions and varying by market.
To view the post on the Emirates website, click here.
