Known as typhoons and tropical cyclones in other parts of the world, hurricanes are a fairly common natural phenomenon that affects travel in areas near tropical and subtropical waters.
When traveling to a destination with higher risk for hurricanes and during a season which is prone to hurricanes, there can definitely be some uncertainty surrounding your travel plans and what would happen if you had to cancel or change plans due to a hurricane forecast.
The good news is - travel insurance is a vital safeguard that can actually protect your trip under certain circumstances in the event of an unexpected natural disaster, such as a hurricane.
Does Travel Insurance Cover Hurricanes?
Travel insurance is a good way to ensure that if you're caught in the path of a hurricane, you can stay safe and covered.
Travel insurance can offer coverage if your trip plans are disrupted due to an unexpected hurricane under natural disaster coverage. However, you must purchase this coverage before the hurricane is named.
Many trip insurance plans, which offer protection for your prepaid and nonrefundable trip expenses, will offer coverage for trip cancellation, interruption, or delay as a result of certain covered natural disasters.
What Does Hurricane Travel Insurance Cover?
Hurricane travel insurance is coverage offered under a standard trip insurance plan. Trip insurance protects you from financial losses that could occur if your trip were to be canceled or delayed due to unforeseen events beyond your control, such as a hurricane.
When purchasing trip insurance, you will insure your prepaid and nonrefundable trip expenses. These will be your covered costs for your trip. You will be reimbursed for eligible costs up to the benefit maximum for certain covered reasons under your plan.
Additionally, trip insurance can also cover you for emergency medical evacuation and medical care for unexpected injuries or illnesses during your travels.
Which U.S. States Are Prone to Hurricanes?
Florida is by far the state most impacted by hurricanes but Texas, Louisiana, North and South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi are also at high risk, particularly during peak hurricane season in August, September and October.
Although less often, hurricanes have also been known to hit higher up on the eastern seaboard in states including Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. Washington D.C. is also known to be affected by hurricanes.
Interesting Facts About Hurricanes
These large, swirling storm systems commonly have a pinwheel shape in satellite images. Hurricanes can cause massive damage to people and property.
Here are some interesting facts about hurricanes:
- Roughly 1.75 hurricanes hit the US coastline annually and up to 7 hurricanes affect the US every four years.
- Roughly 10 hurricanes develop over oceans surrounding the US annually, yet most of these never reach the coastline.
- 2005 had the most hurricanes in a year with 15 storms transforming into hurricanes.
- Since 1924 a total of 35 category 5 hurricanes have been recorded in the North Atlantic. A total of five category 5 hurricanes have hit US soil.
As you can see, the severity of these storms can not only cause billions of dollars’ worth of damage but can also uproot travel plans, whether you live in the U.S. or are planning on visiting.
The best way to protect your trip investment is by purchasing trip insurance that covers hurricanes.
Cancel For Any Reason Hurricane Travel Insurance
If you are traveling and are concerned about hurricanes, you may also consider purchasing Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage. While most trip insurance plans can offer coverage for trip-related hiccups due to a hurricane, if that hurricane is forecasted or named before you book your travels, you won’t be covered.
The CFAR add-on benefit allows you to cancel your trip for literally any reason and still recoup some of the finances, even if you decide to cancel due to a hurricane, whether forecasted or not. This insurance can give you confidence that the financial investment of your vacation is protected in any situation.
Best Travel Insurance for Hurricanes
The following trip insurance plans are great options when it comes to coverage for natural disasters, such as hurricanes.
Stay Safe This Hurricane Season
If you’re planning on traveling somewhere this summer or fall that’s prone to hurricanes, the best thing you can do is be as prepared as possible.
Although you never know when a tropical storm might start to form, purchasing trip insurance is a great way to ensure that you’ll be covered in the event that your plans have to change.
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