Hurricane Season Travel Insurance
Researchers predict an above-average hurricane season in 2018, potentially impacting travelers’ vacations. Fortunately for those who prepare early enough, travel insurance can cover many of the impacts these storms can have. This resource explains how travel insurance can help this hurricane season.
Plan Ahead
It is important to get your policy early before a storm is named. Travel insurance only covers unexpected situations; once a storm is named, it is no longer unexpected and can’t be covered on any policies purchased after that date.
Cancelling or Leaving Your Trip Early When There’s a Storm
Most travel insurance policies can pay you back for your trip costs if a storm significantly impacts your ability to take your trip. This includes storms both at your destination or your home. Each policy has specific situations that trigger travel insurance coverage. Most policies require one of the following before coverage begins:
- Your flight or cruise is delayed for at least 12-48 hours
- Your hotel or your home is severely damaged and rendered ‘uninhabitable’
- A hurricane warning or mandatory evacuation is issued for your destination or the city you are scheduled to fly out of
Cancel For Any Reason
The fear of traveling is never covered by travel insurance. If you are worried that a storm is headed to your destination but it hasn’t yet triggered your policy’s coverage, your claim may be denied. The only option for travelers who want more freedom to cancel their trip is Cancel For Any Reason coverage. This type of policy can be more expensive but it can pay you back a portion of your trip costs without having to provide any reason for cancelling. This upgraded coverage must be purchased within 14-30 days of your initial trip booking and 100% of your trip costs must be insured.
Squaremouth’s Hurricane Center helps travelers understand travel insurance coverage specific to storms. This resource is regularly updated with press releases, answers to FAQs and helpful videos.
Fact Sheets and Press Releases
3 Things You Must Know Before Buying Travel Insurance During Hurricane Season
What to Know About Travel Insurance if Tropical Storm Dorian Halts Your Labor Day Weekend Travel Plans
FAQs
- Can travel insurance cover me if my home is in a hurricane's path?
- When can I buy travel insurance to cover a tropical storm or hurricane?
- Does a storm have to become a hurricane to be covered by travel insurance?
- Does the Hurricane & Weather benefit cover tropical storms?
- What types of current events are covered by travel insurance?
- Can I cancel my trip due to a hurricane or tropical storm?
- Can I still buy travel insurance after a tropical storm or hurricane is named?
- Can I return home early if there is a hurricane at my destination?
- See all 15 FAQs
- Can I cancel my trip if I’m afraid a storm will hit during my trip?
- What if my flight or cruise is delayed because of a hurricane?
- Can I still buy a travel insurance policy for hurricane season?
- Can I cancel my trip if a storm hits my home?
- Can I still buy travel insurance for Hurricane Matthew?
- What if my flight or cruise is delayed or canceled due to a hurricane?
- What if I want to cancel my vacation because of a hurricane?
Hurricane Event Center External Resources
Most travel insurance policies have coverage for hurricanes and tropical storms, as long as you bought a policy before the storm was named. Travel insurance providers may use these resources to gather information on storms and determine whether or not a storm is covered: