Why You Should Explore Travel Insurance Options Ahead of a Named Hurricane

As hurricane season continues, many people are making plans for fall vacations, including trips to places that could be affected by tropical storms.

If you’re planning to travel to places like the Caribbean, Mexico or the Bahamas, now may be the time to consider travel insurance, travel experts say.

There’s an important catch: Waiting until a hurricane is named could mean you’re too late to get coverage for that particular storm.

Suzanne Morrow of InsureMyTrip says, “They should buy travel insurance well in advance of the possibility of a named storm.”

Once a hurricane is named, travelers will still be able to purchase a travel insurance policy, but they generally will not be able to file a claim related to a known hurricane. This does not mean that purchasing insurance after a storm has been declared is completely useless.

Morrow says the policy may still provide coverage for other unforeseen events, but travelers should not assume it will cover losses related to a named hurricane.

Experts recommend shopping around and comparing policies before purchasing.

Pay close attention to what each policy covers, including whether it provides protection if your destination becomes uninhabitable or if you are unable to reach your destination due to road closures due to a hurricane.

Travelers should also check the coverage offered by their credit card. Depending on the card and policy, coverage may only apply to expenses actually purchased with that card.

Morrow adds, “If you didn’t pay for everything with a credit card, you’ll only have insurance on the items you buy with the credit card.”

Another thing to keep in mind is that travel insurance doesn’t always mean you’ll get your money back in cash. Some policies may provide a travel credit instead.

If you’re planning a fall trip during hurricane season, don’t wait until a storm approaches to start thinking about travel insurance.

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