WARWICK, R.I., May 6, 2020 — InsureMyTrip, a NOAA Weather-Ready Nation WRN Ambassador™, launched a new hurricane preparedness campaign this week in an effort to help Americans best prepare for the season. While the coronavirus pandemic is putting travel plans on hold for millions, InsureMyTrip has expanded its Hurricane Educational Center to include information for those without any trips scheduled. The center includes safety information, a free ebook, videos, and a broad range of travel insurance resources.
“Encouraging the safety of all Americans is the backbone of our company’s core values. During these uncertain times, we remain committed to ensuring both travelers and residents are staying informed and are better prepared against extreme weather,” says InsureMyTrip Marketing and eCommerce Manager Ronni Kenoian.
Travelers can also listen to special hurricane-themed episodes of “Trips & Tips”, an InsureMyTrip podcast, available on iTunes and Spotify.
Understanding Coverage
National Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 3-9, 2020) is underway, and travel insurance agents at InsureMyTrip are reminding travelers that once a storm starts forming, it is considered a foreseeable event and insurance coverage will no longer be available to cover losses related to that storm.
When it comes to severe weather, here are some examples of how insurance may enable travelers to 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:
Flights are grounded due to a hurricane: Many plans will cover a traveler when common carriers such as airlines and cruise lines cease service due to weather. The cessation of services must be for a certain number of hours, usually 24-48.
Resort is in the path of a hurricane: A few plans will offer coverage when the traveler’s destination is under a NOAA-issued hurricane warning.*
A hurricane damaged my hotel or resort: Many plans will cover a traveler when a hotel, resort, or vacation rental is devastated and made uninhabitable by a storm.
A hurricane damaged my home: Many plans will offer coverage when the primary home of a traveler sustains destructive storm damage that renders the home uninhabitable.
I changed my mind: For the opportunity to cancel a trip for reasons other than those listed as “covered reasons” on a policy, a traveler may consider Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) protection.
CFAR is an optional time-sensitive benefit available on some plans that allow a traveler to cancel a trip for any reason, no less than 48 hours prior to the scheduled departure. Reimbursement is usually 50-75% of the prepaid, non-refundable trip cost. A traveler must meet specific eligibility requirements and must purchase a policy with CFAR selected within 14-21 days of making an initial trip payment or deposit.
Note: CFAR is also an option for travelers who want coverage in the event they want to cancel a trip due to COVID-19 fears. Learn more about coverage options via the Travel Insurance & Coronavirus resource hub.
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 Expert:
Meghan Walch
401-773-9210
[email protected]
*With most comprehensive travel insurance plans, the NOAA-issued hurricane warning must be issued for the traveler’s destination within 24-48 hours of the traveler’s scheduled departure. The cancellation must also be more than 14 days after the traveler’s effective date for trip cancellation coverage. This means this coverage would not be available if the traveler is 15 days or closer to the departure of a trip.
About Weather-Ready Nation
InsureMyTrip is part of the Weather-Ready Nation (WRN) Ambassador™ program, an initiative of the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to strengthen partnerships with external organizations toward building community resilience in the face of increasing vulnerability to extreme weather and water events.
About InsureMyTrip
It’s simple. InsureMyTrip finds you the right travel insurance plan, every time. InsureMyTrip is the authority on travel insurance. We are committed to empowering travelers to make the best possible insurance decisions by leveraging our technology, data intelligence, and expertise. InsureMyTrip is rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau.
SOURCE InsureMyTrip
