Recent Hurricanes Offer A Good Reminder About The Value Of Travel Insurance
Thursday, September 22nd, 2011The recent pummeling delivered along the Atlantic coast courtesy of Hurricane Irene offers a reminder that people traveling abroad should do so with travel insurance coverage. Many Canadians were visiting the U.S. when Irene struck, and discovered their flights home had been cancelled. Travel insurance can help recoup any costs incurred as a result of delays and trip interruptions.
The recent tropical storms – from Arlene and Cindy to Emily, Franklin, and Harvey – should not come as a surprise. They fall within the official hurricane season. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NAOO), that season begins June 1 and extends through the end of November of each year. Canadians planning to travel through the Atlantic hurricane zone should take steps in advance to minimize their exposure to delays and unexpected costs.
When A Hurricane Destroys Your Accommodations
Depending on where you plan to travel, your accommodations may sustain substantial damage due to a hurricane or strong tropical storm. For example, suppose you had intended to vacation in Puerto Rico during the summer of 2011. At the time, the area had been hit by Tropical Storm Emily, a tropical cyclone that battered a large portion of the Caribbean. In Puerto Rico, nearly 19,000 people were left without electricity, and several thousands had to survive without drinking water. Many were forced to evacuate their homes.
Without travel insurance coverage, you might have been forced to pay for alternative accommodations if your hotel or bungalow had been damaged. You may also have had to incur costs associated with delayed flights, missed connections, and other interruptions.
When you purchase a travel insurance policy, you can tailor it to suit your circumstances. Some insurers offer coverage for lodgings that are made uninhabitable by inclement weather and natural disasters. Other companies will cover trip interruptions stemming from certain weather-related conditions. Still others will allow you to cancel your trip for any reason, including hurricane warnings issued for the region to which you are traveling.
Traveling abroad, whether you do so during the official hurricane season or any other part of the year, is risky without travel insurance. But it is important to know what is covered in your policy before you leave home.
Do You Know What Coverage Is Included In Your Policy?
Every travel insurance policy is different. Not only do insurers offer different types of coverages, but as mentioned earlier, you can customize your policy to fit your needs. The problem is, many consumers neglect to take a few minutes to familiarize themselves with the details.
Most basic policies will cover costs related to trip cancellation. But there is usually a defined set of circumstances for which coverage applies. Unless you add a “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) clause, coverage is limited to certain events (e.g. job loss, jury duty, etc.).
Coverage is also available in most standard policies for trip delays and interruptions (again, for specific circumstances), lost or stolen luggage, and medical care for injuries and illnesses. Optional endorsements can be purchased for emergency evacuations, transportation-related accidents, stolen passports, and countless other events.
Review your policy before leaving your home. Know what is covered and what is not covered. That way, you can avoid unpleasant surprises if something happens while you are traveling abroad.
Tips For Traveling Abroad During The Hurricane Season
First, pay particular attention to the way your insurance policy defines coverage for inclement weather. As already noted, standard policies typically limit coverage events.
Second, realize that you need to purchase coverage for a hurricane before it is officially named. Many insurers require you to do so while the hurricane is still classified as a tropical storm.
Third, prior to boarding your flight, check the weather conditions in the region to which you’re traveling (you can do so at the NOAA website). That way, you can cancel your trip if you think the weather is likely to pose a problem.
Fourth, shop around for travel insurance coverage. Rates vary from insurer to insurer, even for the same package of coverages. Determine the types of insurance you and your family need, and then compare rates between several companies.
The most important thing to remember is that traveling outside Canada without travel insurance is usually unwise, even for quick trips. When unexpected events occur, they tend to do so at the worst possible times. Fortunately, most policies are priced low enough to make coverage affordable for all travelers.
Mrs. Petrusia Kowal is a talented music teacher, but she spends her days in the auto insurance sector. Are you hunting for the car insurance St. John’s residents will envy?
