Personal legal expenses insurance could help you and your family with a number of legal issues, depending on what cover you have. This site can help you learn about legal expenses insurance, how to get it, and how to use it if you have it.
See what we offer to our people
Legal expenses insurance can help you with a number of legal issues affecting your business.
News and analysis from our experts
Many brokers and law firms have chosen to partner with DAS. Here you can find out why our partners choose us, and how you can join them.
We've now made it even easier for customers to make a claim. Here you can find out how.
The recent announcement by EasyJet that it plans to cancel 1700 flights over the summer has caused fury amongst passengers and thrown summer travel plans into chaos. The announcement means that holidaymakers are likely to face long delays or scramble to book alternative flights during the peak holiday season.
So, what can passengers do if their flight is delayed or cancelled? Are they eligible for compensation and under which circumstances can they make a claim?
There is legislation which entitles you to reimbursement. Under the EU Denied Boarding Regulations – or Flight Compensation Regulation (EC No 261/2004) which has become part of UK Law – you are entitled to free food and phone calls at the airport as well as compensation in certain circumstances, if:
If your flight is delayed for five hours or more, but is not cancelled, you can also choose not to travel and instead receive a full refund for your ticket.
If you're travelling with a non-UK/EU based airline flying from a non-EU destination, the airline doesn't have the same duty to look after you. Please check the airline's Conditions of Carriage to see what you may be entitled to.
When it comes to compensation, airlines have one get-out – extraordinary circumstances. That is, if the delay was caused by something beyond their control, the airline is not obliged to pay compensation.
Situations which are likely to be deemed out of the airline’s control are:
You are entitled to free food and phone calls as well as overnight accommodation if appropriate, on the condition these expenses are reasonable and that the flight is delayed for sufficient time to qualify, as shown in the table below:
If you had to pay for food, phone calls or accommodation yourself, you are entitled to reimbursement from the airline, but remember to keep all your receipts as proof.
The table below shows the amount of compensation you would be entitled to if there were no extraordinary circumstances.
If you are making a multi-stop journey on a single ticket, and you miss a connecting flight due to a delay to the preceding flight, you should be able to claim compensation if you arrive at your destination three or more hours later than scheduled.
To claim compensation if your flight meets the eligibility criteria, you should complain to the flight operator (not the company you booked the flight through if this is different).
Write a letter referencing the EU Denied Boarding Regulation 261/2004, stating that you believe you are entitled to compensation. Include all the flight details, a copy of the ticket(s), and personal details of all the passengers you are claiming for, including name, address and contact number.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) says that complaints should be forwarded to them if you are not satisfied with the airline’s response or if the airline fails to respond within 8 weeks. The CAA also warns that due to an increase in demand, these claims can take some time to resolve.
You can also take your claim to the CAA if the airline refuses to pay compensation. However, it should be understood that the CAA does not represent an ombudsman scheme and are therefore not able to impose their findings on airlines.
If your claim still isn’t resolved after taking it to the CAA or other regulator, you have the option of taking the matter to court. However, this is only possible if the delayed flight was less than six years ago.
If your flight is cancelled within seven days before departure or if you were rerouted to your destination, then entitlement to claim compensation may be available. For UK passengers, the amounts are detailed below.
If your flight is cancelled between 7-14 days before departure or if you were rerouted to your destination, then entitlement to claim compensation may be available. For UK passengers, the amounts are detailed below.