Does Travel Insurance Cover Bed Bugs

by Mary
(Fla)

I just found out my mother in law and now sister in-law both have bedbugs due to one getting from the other. Will my flight insurance kick in if I cancel?

Editor Response:

Hi Mary,

Thank you for your question. To answer your question is it depends. To the best of our knowledge there is no standard travel insurance that will cover flights or hotel rooms due to a bed bug incident.

Some travel insurance companies such as John Hancock offer the ability to buy a "cancel for any reason" option. If you purchased this coverage, you would be reimbursed for 75% of the plane ticket cost if you cancel no less than 2 days prior to the scheduled departure time.

If you experience bed bugs in flight or in a hotel, the carrier or hotel violates their "duty of care" and may provide compensation.

In your case, we would call the insurance underwriter, explain the situation, and see if they will accommodate you by cancelling the cost of the policy. Better yet, call the airline and ask for a travel credit that can be used at a different time. The later is the scenario that has the highest chance of succeeding.

Regards,

Jeff
Editor, Bed Bugs Handbook