Travel Insurance Claims Rise After Boeing 737 Max Grounding

Travel insurance companies have been reportedly receiving an alarming number of calls following the grounding of Boeing 737 Max jets. The grounding of the Boeing 737 Max 8 jets follows two accidents which occurred only months apart.

Grounds for Consideration

Last Sunday, CNN reports that all 157 people were killed on an Ethiopian Airlines flight. The flight was bound to Nairobi, Kenya. Six minutes after being in the air from Bole International Airport, the airplane reportedly lost all forms of contact at around 8:44 a.m. The airplane crashed near Bishoftu, near Addis Ababa. On board were individuals were 35 different nationalities, according to CNN.

The Ethiopian Airlines accident followed another fatal crash just last October 2018. Lion Air, bound for Pangkal Pinang and carrying 189 passengers, also crashed minutes after takeoff. The plane and the remains of the passengers were found near Jakarta, Indonesia.

Following the chain of incidents, aviation authorities have decided to ban and ground Boeing’s 737 Max series.

What the Grounding Means

The airplane grounding of the Boeing 737 Max series means that travellers coming from different parts of the world could face flight delays and cancellations. According to BBC, the majority of North America would be affected, in addition to carriers such as American Airlines, Air Canada, and Southwest Airlines. After the deadly incidents, a series of investigations are slated to ensue.

BBC further reiterates that despite the numerous flight delays and cancellations, passengers will be accommodated on other flights and airlines.

Travel Insurance Woes

Following the grounding of the Boeing 737 Max aircraft, travel insurance agencies issued guidelines regarding future flights. According to Travel Weekly, customers who availed of travel insurance does not cover fear of flying as well as flight changes due to an aircraft. However, delays, cancellations, and other similar events could be covered by travel insurance, with meals and accommodations provided.