Flight delays are piling up due to the shutdown. Some travelers are taking this extra step to protect themselves

"Get ready to hurry up and wait. As delays and cancellations continue to pile up at the nation's busiest airports during the weeks-long government shutdown, some travelers who have been anticipating extra headaches are hedging their bets with extra insurance protections. According to data shared with Fast Company from the price comparison service InsureMyTrip, 10% of travel insurance policies purchased in September and into October have included "cancel for any reason" (CFAR) coverage."

"Travel delays are among the most visible impacts of prolonged government shutdowns, adding increased uncertainty and chaos as air traffic controllers who are being forced to work for partial or no pay call in sick or take leave. Over the weekend, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that staffing shortages were causing delays at airports in Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, and Newark, according to Reuters."

Purchases of cancel-for-any-reason (CFAR) travel insurance rose to 10% of policies bought in September and October, up from an 8% average earlier in the year, as travelers hedge against shutdown-related disruptions. CFAR coverage can raise insurance costs by upwards of 50%. Staffing shortages and missed pay for air traffic controllers during the government shutdown have caused delays at major airports including Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, and Newark, with more controllers expected to miss paychecks. Standard insurance often excludes government-regulation disruptions and reduced national park services, making CFAR a broader protection option for affected travelers.

Read at Fast Company