InsureMyTrip Blog

Today is one of those anniversaries Americans are likely to observe, in one somber way or another, for some time to come.  It was seven years ago that Hurricane Katrina battered the Gulf Coast and caused catastrophic damage with long-term impacts — some of which are still being felt even many years after the storm’s actual occurrence.

It may be that some people, and some areas of the country, have not fully recovered from Katrina’s fallout; however, with this tragedy as with so many others, the bright spot is that much was learned.  Even in the travel insurance industry, the idea that people need and deserve to be protected in whatever way possible from the devastation of a storm like Katrina became crystal-clear seven years ago.  Today, we have many of the benefits that are available to travelers during hurricane season largely because of the wake-up call that Katrina provided to our industry.

For example, the Destination Made Uninhabitable benefit is a key asset we try to encourage travelers to investigate during hurricane season.  It wasn’t widely available before 2005, but now it’s much more accessible, and provides travelers with the ability to change their plans if their destination (including their hotel or accommodations) is rendered unfit for their habitation by a hurricane.  Even more to the point, for those who have survived Katrina and other devastating storms, is the coverage that is now available should your primary residence be made uninhabitable.  In other words, if it’s your home, not your vacation spot, that’s been severely damaged by the storm, most travel insurance policies will now recognize that as a covered reason for cancelling your trip.

Of course, part of what many of us learned during Katrina — and have thought of at least once or twice during every ensuing hurricane season — is that it’s vital to everyone’s safety and peace of mind to practice smart preparation and to play it safe, whenever possible.  So even before anything catastrophic actually takes place, travel insurance still provides two safety nets to you in the interest of being prepared: Cancel for any Reason coverage and Cancellation due to Hurricane Warning benefits.  Cancel for Any Reason is a widely available and quite useful travel insurance benefit that allows travelers to cancel their plans — during hurricane season, or any other time of year — based on their own preferences and their personal comfort level, rather than having to adhere to the insurance company’s list of covered reasons for cancellation.  Cancellation due to Hurricane Warning is a lesser-known coverage that some companies are now offering, much to the benefit of hurricane season travelers.  Its goal is to give travelers the peace of mind that they could cancel their plans should NOAA issue a hurricane warning that would impact their trip.

While it’s important to bear in mind that any kind of travel insurance coverage for a named storm must be purchased well in advance of the storm’s formation, we’re hopeful that the innovations in coverage that have occurred since Katrina’s fateful landfall 7 years ago can provide increased security and peace of mind to travelers whose plans may be impacted by unpredictable weather events.  Our thoughts today are with all those impacted by Katrina and all other catastrophic storms, and particularly with our friends on the Gulf Coast who may be weathering Hurricane Isaac and its effects.  We encourage anyone who has questions about hurricanes and  travel insurance coverage to call us at 800-487-4722.

Travel isn’t always meticulously planned.  While many of us like to take the scrupulous approach of scheduling things months in advance, making sure each hotel is booked, each flight secured, each detail firmly in place well ahead of our anticipated departure, there’s no denying that some trips just don’t work that way.  Sometimes travel opportunities sneak up on us quite unexpectedly — whether from sheer spontaneity or something more serious that requires us to make hasty arrangements — and just because the planning phase has to be shortened considerably, doesn’t mean that travelers should be any less proactive about buying a travel insurance policy to cover them in the event something goes awry.  We’re fond of reminding travelers to purchase their travel insurance immediately after making their first trip deposit, so they’ll have access to all the potential benefits and options available.  But what happens if the initial trip deposit and the trip itself go practically hand-in-hand?

If you’re in a time crunch and need travel insurance quickly, here are some tips to help you make an informed, though snappy, decision:

Don’t worry about fancy benefits. While Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) policies are extremely popular with many travelers, for good reason, they’re probably not where you want to focus your search if you’re about to depart.  CFAR is intended to help you out if you choose to cancel your trip for any reason that’s not stated as being covered on your travel insurance policy.  However, if you’re putting together a last-minute itinerary, chances are you won’t be changing your mind.  Also, since CFAR policies require you to cancel — and notify all of your travel suppliers of your decision — a minimum of two days prior to your departure, last-minute travelers may not have time on their sides.

Do keep up with the news.  If you’re planning to depart quickly, you should scan the news and weather for any events that may disrupt your trip.  It’s likely that anything you find will not be covered by your travel insurance policy; since travel insurance is only for unforeseen events, any hurricane threats, possible airline strikes, or other threats to your travel experience that are already being discussed in the media will more often than not be considered “known perils” and won’t be covered.  Obviously, if you’re determined to travel, you should still purchase a travel insurance policy to protect you against any and all other disruptions, but it’s best to enter into your travel insurance purchase having a realistic expectation about what benefits are truly available to you.

Take advantage of time-sensitive benefits.  The good news about being in a hurry is that, since you’ll be purchasing your travel insurance soon after you’ve made your first payment on the trip, you’ll probably be eligible for some very helpful benefits that aren’t offered to travelers who wait.  Items like pre-existing conditions waivers offer valuable coverage, but are only available if you buy travel insurance within 10-30 days of your initial trip payment.  That’s good news for last-minute travelers.

Use resources wisely.  While it’s our goal to make it easy for travelers to buy their travel insurance from us online, we also offer personalized Customer Care assistance 365 days a year.  If you’re stumped, it may help you come to a more timely decision if you contact our licensed experts via phone or live chat.  You might also find that our Ratings and Reviews forum is a good resource to help you narrow down your options, so you can check “travel insurance” off your to-do list and get on with your last-minute trip.

August brings the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, an event which has been attracting tourism to the Black Hills of South Dakota as hordes of bike enthusiasts descend upon the location for a week of fun and festivities.  As famous as Sturgis has become, it’s not the only convergence of travel and tourism with motorcycles; our call center is accustomed to hearing from motorcycle fans who are planning to see the world from the seats of their bikes.  Travel insurance for motorcycle tours is certainly available, but as with any travel insurance purchase, it’s important to do some homework before you make a decision about which type of coverage will be best for you.

If you’re planning a motorcycle tour, whether in the continental U.S. or abroad, you may be chiefly concerned about three things: Cancellation of your trip (and the subsequent loss of any pre-paid, norefundable expenses you might have racked up securing the tour); injury; and damage or loss of property.  Travel insurance can address some, but not all of those concerns, and coverage for you will vary depending on your individual circumstances, the specifics of your trip, and the travel insurance plan and provider you ultimately choose.  Also, keep in mind that, as with many other sports and activities, if you’re engaged in a motorcycle activity as a professional, travel insurance will most likely not be available for that portion of your trip.

Cancellation of your tour. A travel insurance package policy works the same way for cyclists as it does for the average traveler.  If you have to back out of your planned trip for a covered reason — such as unexpected illness or injury before you depart — most package policies will likely reimburse you for your pre-paid, nonrefundable expenses.  That means any deposits you’ve paid for airfare, to secure your spot in a tour group,  to reserve lodgings, or to participate in any special activities that require advance reservations and payment should be covered by your travel insurance policy. If your tour is cancelled by the operator, while they will likely be responsible for returning any money you’ve provided to them for the experience, a package policy should also assist you by reimbursing you for any other nonrefundable expenses you’ve incurred for additional trip preparations.

Injury. Motorcycle riding is not considered by most travel insurance providers to be an especially hazardous activity, no matter what your mom might say.  If you have purchased a travel insurance package policy to cover your trip, it will most often include coverage for any injuries you might suffer as a result of your motorcycle tour.  We know it’s unlikely that you’ll get hurt — but isn’t it nice to know that you can purchase a travel insurance plan that will cover you if you do?

Loss or damage to property. If your motorcycle is damaged while you’re on the road,  it’s not likely that a travel insurance policy will cover the damages.  That’s generally the responsibility of the company that insures your motorcycle on a regular basis.  However, we would recommend getting in touch with that insurance company to make sure that your bike will be covered as you expect no matter where you are in the world.

Sports and Hazardous Activity Riders. If you’re purchasing a travel medical plan, rather than a standard package policy, you should definitely ask a Customer Care representative about adding a sports rider to your insurance purchase.  Travel Medical insurance sometimes works slightly differently from package policies, and it’s common for companies providing travel medical plans to require that a special rider be purchased to insure you against any possible injuries you might sustain while on your trip.

Taking your motorcycle on vacation with you may sound like the perfect way to relax and see the world, but it’s a good idea to be prepared.  Before you make a travel insurance purchase, we recommend that you call our Customer Care Center at 800-487-4722 and speak to a licensed representative who can make sure that you get all the important travel insurance benefits you and your bike may need.