Storm-Smart Travel: Preparing for Hurricane Season

Late summer and early fall bring some of the year’s busiest travel periods – and the peak of hurricane season. Whether you’re planning a beach vacation, cruise or long-awaited gateway, severe weather can affect flights, accommodations and other parts of a trip, even when your destination isn’t directly in a storm’s path.

While no one can control the forecast, travelers can take steps to prepare. One of those is understanding how travel insurance may help if extreme weather disrupts your plans.

Plan Before a Storm is on the Horizon

Timing matters when purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance is designed to provide coverage for certain unforeseen events, so travelers shouldn’t wait until a hurricane is approaching to start thinking about protection.

Considering travel insurance when booking your trip gives you time to compare plans, understand your options and choose coverage that aligns with your travel needs.

Understand Your Weather-Related Coverage

Depending on the policy and circumstances, travel insurance may provide benefits if severe weather leads to a covered trip cancellation, interruption, or delay.

For example, coverage may help with certain additional lodging or meal expenses if a covered delay leaves you stranded overnight. If a weather-related flight delay causes you to miss a cruise departure or another prepaid portion of your trip, benefits may also apply depending on your policy.

Travelers should consider the full cost of their trip when evaluating coverage, including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, excursions, and other prepaid arrangements.

Consider Whether You Want More Flexibility

Some travelers may want greater flexibility than standard trip cancellation coverage provides. Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage is an optional benefit available with some travel insurance plans that may allow travelers to cancel for reasons not otherwise covered by their policy.

CFAR typically reimburses only a portion of eligible trip costs and generally must be purchased within a specified period after the initial trip deposit. Because requirements vary, travelers should understand how their specific coverage works before purchasing.

Be Storm-Smart Before You Travel

Preparing for hurricane season doesn’t mean assuming a storm will disrupt your vacation. It means knowing your options before you need them.

As you make late-summer and early-fall travel plans, take time to consider your entire trip investment, understand what you policy may cover and know who to contact if severe weather changes your plans. A little preparation before departure can make it easier to navigate the unexpected and keep the focus on the trip ahead.

Want to better understand your travel insurance options? Visit USTIA’s FAQ page for answers to common questions about coverage, purchasing a policy and preparing for unexpected travel disruptions.