Travel Insurance Alert: Hurricane Florence Poses Travel Threat

Last updated on 03/28/2023

WARWICK, R.I., Sept. 6, 2018 -- InsureMyTrip reports an increase in calls today from travelers due to concern over the potential impact of Hurricane Florence. While it is too late to purchase traditional travel insurance to cover losses related to Florence, travelers may still be eligible for a travel insurance plan with the Cancel For Any Reason benefit.

This is the first major hurricane of the 2018 Atlantic season. On Thursday, the National Hurricane Center said the hurricane was weakening but would likely restrengthen next week. The storm could pose a threat to the U.S. East Coast and directly impact travelers by late next week.

Hurricane Coverage

Travelers who purchased traditional travel insurance prior to the storm forming may receive reimbursement of pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs if they must cancel a trip due to severe weather-related issues that are covered under the trip cancellation benefit. Here are some examples:

Flights are grounded: Many plans may cover a traveler when common carriers such as airlines or cruise lines cease service due to weather. The cessation of services must be for a certain number of consecutive hours, usually 24-48.

The resort is in the path of a hurricane: A few plans will cover a traveler when the traveler's destination is under a NOAA-issued hurricane warning within 24-48 hours of the departure date.

Hotel or resort is impacted: Many plans may cover a traveler when a hotel, resort, or vacation rental is devastated and made uninhabitable by a storm.

Home is badly damaged: Many plans offer coverage when the primary home of a traveler sustains destructive storm damage that renders the home uninhabitable.

Travelers Seeking Insurance

While traditional travel insurance to cover losses related to Florence is now unavailable, travelers may still be eligible for a travel insurance plan with Cancel For Any Reason benefits.

An optional benefit of travel insurance coverage which offers the opportunity to cancel travel plans for reasons other than those listed as "covered reasons" on a policy. There are specific eligibility requirements:

Depending on the policy, it is only available within 10-21 days of your initial trip payment.

• You must insure 100 percent of your pre-paid, non-refundable trip cost.
• You must cancel your trip with the travel suppliers at least 48 hours before the departure date.

This benefit typically covers between 50-75 percent fo your trip cost and vary by plan.

Also, travelers can still purchase comprehensive travel insurance for coverage unrelated to the hurricane, including emergency medical coverage, emergency medical evacuation, and baggage protection. Trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage are also available for covered unforeseen circumstances unrelated to the storm.

Travelers interested in learning more about insurance plans for travel during hurricane season can visit www.InsureMyTrip.com or call 1-800-551-4635 to speak with a licensed travel insurance agent.

Travel Insurance Hurricane Expert:
Meghan Walch
[email protected]

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SOURCE InsureMyTrip