If you miss your flight due to EES queues, airlines are under no obligation to put you on another flight without an extra charge.
Travel insurance is unlikely to cover the cost of new flights, hotels or any other losses incurred as a result of delays caused by EES queues, the Association of British Insurers says.
Anne Robinson, from Dunbarton, and her 13 year-old-son Jack missed their flight home from Rome in June when they got stuck in a 90-minute queue. They had to pay £250 for a replacement flight two days later, which they could not claim back.
No travel insurance policies explicitly cover EES delays, because it is an expected procedure or routine process, explains Anna-Marie Duthie, travel insurance expert at analysts Defaqto.
“In practice it is your responsibility to allow additional time for such long queues or delays,” she says.
There is a slight chance of a claim under missed departure, or delay or abandonment, cover. However, immigration or border delays are often not listed covered reasons, she says.
Top tip: Read your paperwork or speak to your insurer before you travel.
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