Hurricane advice from UStiA
In response to the potential danger posed by incoming Hurricane Lane, the US Travel Insurance Association (UStiA) has advised holidaymakers to make sure that they are properly covered for any eventuality – and that they understand the ins and outs of their policy.
“For many travel insurance providers, Hurricane Lane became a known event on 15 August 2018,” explained UStiA. “Consumers who purchased a travel insurance policy prior to that date may be eligible for coverage under their trip cancellation, interruption, or travel delay benefits. Consumers should read their travel insurance policies to learn about their specific coverage and benefits or visit their provider's website to learn more.”
The organisation advises travellers that before cancelling a trip due to concerns surrounding a hurricane or similar event, they should contact their travel suppliers to make sure that there will be no penalties for doing so. It may also be possible to change the dates of a trip, and travel insurers may agree to change the span of a policy to compensate for this. Travellers are also advised to make sure they include all relevant documentation when making a claim; consider the possibility of filing a claim online, as hurricanes tend to equal chaos for travel insurers, so using the online process could expedite claims; make sure they take all their travel insurance information with them when they travel; and, most importantly, thoroughly read their policy before they travel.
Hurricane season in the US runs until 30 November, so hopefully consumers will make sure that they have all the knowledge they need to navigate it safely.
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