Travel is unpredictable, and even the most well-thought-out plans can go sideways. That’s why United Airlines offers optional trip insurance, giving travelers a safety net for when things don’t go as expected. But what does United trip insurance cover? Who provides it, and what’s excluded?

Here’s everything you need to know before deciding whether to add insurance to your next United flight.

Who Provides United Airlines’ Travel Insurance?

Although the option to buy coverage appears directly during the booking process on united.com or in its mobile app (iOS, Android), the policy isn’t actually issued by United Airlines. Instead, trip insurance is provided by Travel Guard, a travel insurance brand operated by American International Group (AIG).

The policy is underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, a Pennsylvania-based insurance company authorized to transact business in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. While you’ll interact with United to purchase coverage, any claims or detailed inquiries are handled by Travel Guard.

What Does United Airlines’ Travel Insurance Cover?

The insurance offered through United is called the Domestic Air Ticket Protection Plan. It’s designed for U.S. residents and applies to travel within the U.S. This plan is meant to cover common travel disruptions, including illness, bad weather, and delayed or missed flights.

Let’s look at what United Airlines Travel Guard insurance covers under this plan:

Trip cancellation: If you cancel your trip due to a covered, unforeseen reason, you may be reimbursed for up to 100% of your trip cost. Covered reasons include illness, injury, or the death of you or a family member, among others. This applies only if you cancel before your scheduled departure date.

If you cancel your trip due to a covered, unforeseen reason, you may be reimbursed for up to 100% of your trip cost. Covered reasons include illness, injury, or the death of you or a family member, among others. This applies only if you cancel before your scheduled departure date. Trip interruption: If something happens after your trip begins — like a family emergency or medical issue — you may be eligible for reimbursement of up to 125% of your trip cost. This can be used toward rebooking return travel or recouping unused, nonrefundable portions of your trip.

If something happens after your trip begins — like a family emergency or medical issue — you may be eligible for reimbursement of up to 125% of your trip cost. This can be used toward rebooking return travel or recouping unused, nonrefundable portions of your trip. Missed connection: If your flight is delayed or canceled due to inclement weather or a common carrier issue, and you miss a connecting flight as a result, you could be reimbursed up to $500 for additional transportation expenses to get to your destination.

If your flight is delayed or canceled due to inclement weather or a common carrier issue, and you miss a connecting flight as a result, you could be reimbursed up to $500 for additional transportation expenses to get to your destination. Trip delay: Should your trip be delayed by 5 or more consecutive hours due to a covered reason, the plan may cover reasonable additional expenses, like hotel stays, meals, and ground transportation, until travel resumes.

Should your trip be delayed by 5 or more consecutive hours due to a covered reason, the plan may cover reasonable additional expenses, like hotel stays, meals, and ground transportation, until travel resumes. Baggage and personal effects: Lost, damaged, or stolen luggage? You could receive up to $500 in reimbursement for your belongings, based on the original purchase price or repair cost, whichever is lower.

Lost, damaged, or stolen luggage? You could receive up to $500 in reimbursement for your belongings, based on the original purchase price or repair cost, whichever is lower. COVID-19 coverage: If you or a family member tests positive for COVID-19 before your trip and needs to cancel, you may be eligible for trip cancellation coverage. Travel Guard requires a PCR test result or a verified home/self-test signed off by a medical professional to process claims related to COVID.

Hot Tip: New to travel insurance? Here’s an overview of how travel insurance works, including common policy types, exclusions, and things you should consider before purchasing a policy.

Advertisement

What Isn’t Covered by United Airlines’ Travel Insurance?

While the plan provides solid basic coverage, it does come with important exclusions. Understanding these is just as critical as knowing what is covered.

Here’s what United Airlines’ travel insurance does not cover:

Change of mind: Simply deciding not to go — whether due to work stress or a changed itinerary — is not a covered reason under the plan. You won’t be reimbursed for voluntary trip cancellations.

Simply deciding not to go — whether due to work stress or a changed itinerary — is not a covered reason under the plan. You won’t be reimbursed for voluntary trip cancellations. Fear of travel: If you cancel your trip because of fear of flying, concerns about COVID-19, or worry over global events, your claim will not be accepted. Government travel advisories or general anxiety do not qualify as valid reasons.

If you cancel your trip because of fear of flying, concerns about COVID-19, or worry over global events, your claim will not be accepted. Government travel advisories or general anxiety do not qualify as valid reasons. Unverified Illness: Even if you’re truly too sick to travel, you must see a doctor and receive documented medical confirmation to qualify for reimbursement. Illness claims without medical validation won’t be accepted.

As with any insurance policy, it’s essential to read the full terms and conditions before you purchase. The summary on United’s website is helpful, but the detailed policy documentation outlines exactly what’s included and what’s not.

Summary of Coverage

You may wonder what United Airlines Travel Guard insurance covers. Examining key coverage elements helps travelers understand what could be covered under United Airlines’ travel insurance policies.

Here’s a snapshot of the key benefits in United’s Domestic Air Ticket Protection Plan:

SCROLL FOR MORE Benefit Coverage Trip cancellation Up to 100% of trip cost Trip interruption Up to 125% of trip cost Missed connection Up to $500 Trip delay Reasonable expenses after a delay of 5+ hours Baggage and personal effects Up to $500 COVID-19 Covered if positive test is medically verified

How To Buy United Airlines’ Travel Insurance

Adding trip insurance to your United booking is straightforward. You have 3 options:

At checkout: When booking a flight on united.com or through the United mobile app, you’ll see the option to add Travel Guard insurance before payment.

When booking a flight on united.com or through the United mobile app, you’ll see the option to add Travel Guard insurance before payment. After booking: If you skip insurance at checkout, you can still add it later via the Manage Reservation section of United’s website or app.

If you skip insurance at checkout, you can still add it later via the section of United’s website or app. By phone: Call Travel Guard directly at 877-934-8308 to purchase insurance or ask questions about your plan.

Keep in mind that coverage must typically be purchased before your departure date. Don’t wait until the last minute, especially if you’re concerned about possible cancellations or delays.

How Much Does United Airlines’ Travel Insurance Cost?

The quote I received for adding insurance to an existing reservation for a one-way flight in November for 2 passengers between New York-LaGuardia (LGA) and Chicago O’Hare (ORD) was $28.

Cost for a sample plan. Image Credit: United

In contrast, the cost of insuring a one-way business class flight from Newark (EWR) to Los Angeles (LAX) for a plan for 1 passenger was $153.23.

Coverage option at the time of booking. Image Credit: United

Note that the only payment methods accepted for United’s travel insurance are United Airlines credit cards, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards. Other forms of payment, including MileagePlus miles, aren’t accepted for payments.

Hot Tip: You may already have comparable coverage from the credit card you use to buy your tickets! The majority of the best credit cards for travel insurance include coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, lost or delayed luggage reimbursement, and travel accident insurance.

Advertisement

Final Thoughts

If you’ve ever faced a canceled flight, lost luggage, or last-minute illness, you know how quickly a trip can go off the rails. United Airlines’ partnership with Travel Guard offers travelers a way to protect their investment — and in many cases, recover costs tied to unexpected disruptions.

While this insurance won’t cover every scenario, it does provide a solid level of protection for common issues like trip cancellations, delays, missed connections, and medical emergencies. If you’re wondering what United trip insurance covers, know that it covers a lot of the basics, but not everything.

Be sure to weigh the plan’s benefits and limitations against your personal needs. Always read the policy in full to understand the specific covered reasons. If you need more comprehensive coverage — or plan to travel internationally — it might be worth comparing other providers, too.

If you’re flying domestically with United and want a convenient, 1-click option for peace of mind, this insurance is worth considering. However, before purchasing, see if your trip would receive similar complimentary coverage through a credit card benefit.