Travellers shift to flexible bookings and insurance as extreme weather risk grows

Extreme weather is becoming a defining factor in how Americans plan and protect their travel, according to the 2026 Traveler Risk Report from Redpoint Travel Protection.

Based on a survey of 1,500 highly active US leisure travellers, the report found that more than half had already altered travel plans due to extreme weather, and nearly 70% expected to do so regularly in the future. High winds, unseasonal temperatures, wildfires, flooding, and severe storms were cited as key concerns.

“Extreme weather is no longer an outside possibility; it’s an expectation,” said Ted Muhlner, Co-Founder of Redpoint Travel Protection. “We’re seeing travellers plan around disruption rather than react to it.”

The findings mirror wider climate trends. The World Meteorological Organization has described extreme weather as the “new norm”, pointing to the rising frequency and intensity of storms, floods, and wildfires. High-profile events, including the Los Angeles wildfires in January 2025 and severe flooding in Texas last summer, have reinforced travellers’ sense of vulnerability.

Among respondents, 54% reported weather-related delays and 37% had cancelled a trip because of weather. Travellers aged 35–54 were the most disrupted, while those over 65 showed lower cancellation rates but high concern about future impact.

With 69% saying they would factor weather risk into future trips, refundable bookings ranked as the leading confidence booster, followed closely by travel insurance. Redpoint’s internal data shows 4.13% of claims over the past two years were weather-related, with an average payout of US$2,559.