When planning a trip, there are some disruptions you can control, but others, like hurricanes, are beyond your control. While some travelers choose to avoid vacations during hurricane season, it’s not always an option for everyone. If your work or school schedule forces you to book a trip during hurricane season, you might have to take the risk.
Why Do You Need Hurricane Travel Insurance?
Not all travel insurance policies cover hurricanes, so if you’re heading to a destination that could be affected by one, it’s essential to have a policy that specifically addresses natural disasters like hurricanes.
Popular vacation spots like Florida, the Carolinas, and the Caribbean are especially vulnerable to hurricanes during the summer months. According to NOAA, the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the highest number of storms occurring in August and September.
While Pacific hurricanes are rare, Hawaii has been affected a couple of times, with hurricanes like Hector in 2018 and Barbara in 2019 causing big waves and power outages that could disrupt your vacation.
Both the Atlantic and Pacific hurricane seasons run from May or June through November, so be aware of when these storms are most likely to occur. Although the chances of a hurricane affecting your trip may be low, hurricane travel insurance can help ensure you get your money back if a storm impacts your travel plans.
What Does Hurricane Travel Insurance Cover?
Hurricane travel insurance isn’t sold as a separate policy. Instead, it’s typically included in the weather and calamity section of your travel cancellation insurance. This coverage can be part of your trip interruption, travel delay, or other insurance policies.
If a hurricane forces the cancellation of your trip, hurricane-specific coverage will apply. However, keep in mind that it only covers disruptions caused directly by the storm—not if you choose to cancel because you’re concerned about the weather, even if everything else remains on track.
If you’re looking for more flexibility, Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage is an option. It lets you cancel your trip at any point for a wide range of reasons, including a looming hurricane. However, this may only reimburse 50-75% of your costs, whereas hurricane-related cancellations under standard travel insurance policies may cover up to 100%.
What Does Hurricane Travel Insurance Protect Against?
Hurricane travel insurance covers various scenarios, whether your destination is impacted before you leave or during your stay. Here’s an overview of situations where your policy could help:
- Hurricane Affects Your Destination Before You Depart:
If a hurricane threatens your destination before you even start your trip, you might need to cancel. Coverage typically includes:- A hurricane warning at your destination or evacuation orders.
- Unsafe conditions at your home, even after the storm has passed.
- Canceled flights or delays that significantly impact your trip.
- Closed airports, either at your departure point or destination.
- Hurricane Strikes During Your Trip:
If a storm hits while you’re already at your destination, your travel plans could be disrupted. Coverage may apply in the following situations:- You must leave your accommodation or evacuate.
- You experience delays or missed connections.
- You can’t safely return home.
- Hurricane Hits Your Home While You’re Traveling:
Even if the hurricane impacts your home while you’re away, your policy may offer assistance. If your house is damaged and you need to return early, insurance could cover the unused portion of your trip, as well as the cost of changing flights.
When Should You Buy Hurricane Travel Insurance?
Timing is crucial when it comes to purchasing hurricane travel insurance. To ensure you’re covered, you should buy the policy as early as possible—before a hurricane has been named or a storm threatens your destination.
If a storm is already on the radar or an evacuation order has been issued, it’s too late to add hurricane coverage. Insurance companies generally won’t cover “foreseeable events,” so if you wait until a hurricane is imminent, you risk your claim being denied.
What Is the Cost of Hurricane Travel Insurance?
The cost of hurricane travel insurance depends on several factors, including the total cost of your trip, the number of travelers, and the level of coverage you need. On average, you can expect to pay between 4% and 10% of your trip’s cost for coverage. The best way to find affordable options is to compare policies using an online comparison tool.
When choosing a policy, be sure to read the fine print to ensure that hurricanes are covered under your cancellation and interruption insurance.
Hurricane travel insurance can be a lifesaver if the unexpected happens, helping you protect your investment and ensuring peace of mind as you travel during storm season.