How to make sure you’re covered if extreme weather hits your trip

When Hurricane Melissa barrelled through the Caribbean last week, thousands of travellers found their plans plunged into uncertainty.

Amid cancelled flights and rerouted cruises, many holidaymakers would have looked to their travel insurance for support and compensation.

But when it comes to extreme weather, there are several requirements dictating whether you can claim or not.

Here’s what travellers need to know about when to take out a policy and which one to opt for in order to be protected when faced with disruption from weather events.

Travel insurance is only valid if taken out before a hurricane is named

Travellers are generally advised to take out insurance as early as they can, and there’s a good reason for doing that when it comes to extreme weather.

This is because coverage will only apply if the policy is purchased before the weather event is named or becomes known, explains Lauren McCormick, public relations manager at travel insurance comparison site Squaremouth.

For hurricanes, the policy must be bought before the storm is named. For other disasters, the event must be unforeseen or not publicly announced before you buy your insurance.

‘Bad weather’ isn’t enough to guarantee you coverage

As for the type of disruption, minor storms or “bad weather” aren’t enough, says McCormick. Coverage applies only if conditions directly disrupt your trip.

This might be a mandatory evacuation or hurricane warning, a situation where your destination or accommodation becomes uninhabitable or inaccessible, or an event that causes a significant delay to travel services (24-48 hours).

If this is the case, your policy will normally cover cancelled prepaid expenses like flights and accommodation.

Some coverage can also be extended to reimburse you for food and lodging costs while waiting for delayed or replacement transport and for missed connections.

Some policies also include non-medical evacuation to transport travellers from danger to safety.

This benefit is designed to keep you safe in the event of an unforeseen non-medical emergency, such as a natural disaster, civil unrest, or political unrest, McCormick explains.

Travellers should check their policy to see if non-medical evacuation is included and what situations it covers.

How to make sure you’re covered if extreme weather impacts your trip

Aside from taking out your insurance early, McCormick advises travellers to read the wording of their policy document carefully to know what ‘hurricane and weather’ and ‘natural disaster’ benefits are included.

For maximum flexibility, holidaymakers can opt for a ‘Cancel For Any Reason’ (CFAR) policy, meaning they are entitled to compensation even when they choose not to go ahead with a trip that is not sufficiently impacted by weather to trigger standard coverage.

During the trip itself, travellers should keep all documentation that refers to the impact of a weather event on travel plans, such as evacuation orders, official warnings and proof of loss.