Less than two years have passed since Hurricane Katrina decimated New Orleans and the north-central Gulf Coast, yet only four in ten Americans know that the hurricane season starts today (Friday, June 1st).

Scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have predicted that this Atlantic hurricane season - from June through November - could yield as many as 17 named storms, considerably above the annual average of 11.

Yet a study commissioned by travel insurance provider Access America highlights just how unaware and unprepared many consumers may be.

More than half of the population is planning a vacation during the hurricane season, yet a staggering 79 per cent admitted they had not even considered the impact a storm could have on their travel plans.

Even more startling was the discovery that only 14 percent had purchased travel insurance, which could offer some form of safety net if a powerful storm was to disrupt their vacation.

Travel insurance policies can cover vacationers for cancellations, delays, emergency medical attention and transportation, as well as baggage loss, damage or delay.

Americans considering a trip can compare Access America travel insurance products online with those of the other leading providers at Squaremouth. And Beth Godlin of Access America reminds vacationers to invest in travel insurance at the same time as booking a trip.

“This pre-planning is vital because, once a storm is named, it becomes what’s known in the industry as a ‘foreseeable event’ and is uninsurable,” she explained. “When you see a storm on the weather map, it’s just too late for travel insurance to come to your financial rescue.”

Contributed by J.Bevan