Why journey insurance coverage might not show you how to if there is a WestJet strike

WestJet travellers could also be out of luck on the subject of monetary safety in opposition to a grounded flight, as journey consultants say insurance coverage bought within the days since a possible strike was introduced is unlikely to reimburse prospects for journey woes because of the labour dispute.

If travellers had purchased insurance coverage earlier than Wednesday when the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), the union representing flight attendants on WestJet’s principal airline, introduced members had voted 99.4 per cent in favour of hanging, they could have been coated.

But since CUPE Local 8125 introduced that its members might strike as quickly because the upcoming August lengthy weekend if no deal is reached with WestJet, insurance coverage corporations can now deal with a strike or lockout beginning on Aug. 2 as a “known event” and might probably refuse protection.

According to a memo distributed by insurance coverage provider Manulife to journey professionals, the advantages “related to this potential strike would not apply.” Travel insurance coverage salesman Martin Firestone says this kind of transfer is no surprise.

“That’s insurance for you. Bottom line is, there’s no longer a risk. It’s, in fact, a reality,” mentioned Firestone, who owns journey insurance coverage firm Travel Secure in Toronto.

Firestone notes that journey insurance coverage bought now will nonetheless cowl occasions reminiscent of sickness or loss of life, relying in your coverage.

“What won’t be covered is that you couldn’t get there because WestJet’s flight attendants went on strike,” he mentioned.

Why journey insurance coverage ought to transcend airfare

In the occasion of a flight cancellation because of the strike, usually airways can be obligated to rebook the flight — in some circumstances, this would come with utilizing an alternate provider — or provide a full refund.

But Firestone factors out insurance coverage must transcend simply the value somebody paid for his or her flight.

“It’s never about the airfare, in my opinion,” he mentioned.

As an instance, he described a hypothetical traveller who has spent $1,000 on a flight to get to a $6,500 cruise that departs at a particular time.

Trip interruption insurance coverage might defend each the $1,000 for the flight and the $6,500 for the missed cruise, whereas with out insurance coverage the cruise prices could also be misplaced.

“We need cancellation and interruption insurance … that’s not what you get when you buy an airline ticket and take the insurance that comes with it,” he mentioned, referencing the journey insurance coverage that is typically supplied when reserving a flight.

What if you happen to’re already booked?

Travellers who booked their tickets with out shopping for insurance coverage do not have many choices apart from ready to see what occurs, or altering their plans forward of time.

However, if a strike or lockout retains your deliberate departure on the bottom, journey businesses say you should still get a refund.

“If you already have a trip booked with WestJet, it’s the airline’s obligation to rebook you or refund your money if they can’t operate that flight,” mentioned Alberta Motor Association journey skilled Nikola Berube.

WATCH | Summer strike might hit WestJet travellers:

WestJet flight attendants vote to strike by August lengthy weekend

WestJet flight attendants voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike over wages and dealing circumstances as early because the August lengthy weekend if no deal is reached, probably throwing Canadian vacation air journey into chaos.

But she says that does not essentially imply you may get the same flight from an alternate provider that will get you to your vacation spot once you anticipated.

“Their sense of rebooking might not be as convenient for you as you would have thought your original trip would be,” Berbue mentioned.

She additionally identified that there’s insurance coverage obtainable that may enable passengers to “cancel for any reason,” which may embody strikes. However, she says it can typically solely pay a portion of your bills, typically solely as much as half of what your journey and associated plans would have value.

Another possibility? Buying one other ticket. But that may be costly, and Berube says it will be as much as the traveller to completely cowl that expense.

Strike might not occur

Worried travellers might even see their considerations evaporate if the union and firm come to an settlement earlier than the tip of July, with either side saying they proceed to attempt to hammer out a deal.

WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech mentioned earlier this week that his firm sees a strike vote as a typical step by unions throughout negotiations and this “does not mean a strike will occur.”

The union president representing flight attendants says CUPE is committed to reaching an agreement at the bargaining table as well.

“The final thing we need to do is go on strike. That’s absolutely the final thing we need to do,” mentioned Alia Hussain, who can be a WestJet flight attendant herself.

WestJet final skilled a main labour dispute in the summertime of 2024, when unionized airline mechanics went on strike over the Canada Day lengthy weekend and tens of hundreds of travellers had been affected.