Does Travel Insurance Cover Bad Weather?

The latest weather disasters are a painful reminder that summer is right around the corner — and with it, the thunderstorms, heat waves and hurricanes that can ruin your vacation. And you might be wondering: Does travel insurance cover bad weather?

Yes, but it depends on the weather.

“Most — if not all — travel insurance policies that cover trip cancellation, trip interruption and trip delays were created to address hurricanes and tropical storms,” says Tim Dodge, vice president of marketing at Arch RoamRight.

But there’s a catch or two that you need to know about weather and travel insurance before the summer travel season begins. Travel insurance covers specific weather events, and it’s possible to buy more coverage that gives you almost complete protection. Also, you have to shop around and make sure you avoid some common mistakes.

Now is the time to start thinking about travel insurance.

“If you’re traveling during hurricane season, buying travel insurance as soon as you book your trip is essential,” says Daniel Durazo, director of external communications at Allianz Partners USA. “Last year’s statistics are an excellent reminder to plan ahead and purchase travel protection prior to a storm or hurricane being named.”

We’re about to have an “explosive” hurricane season. Travel insurance can help.

The National Weather Service is predicting above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic this year. Hurricane season starts today and runs through November 30. Forecasters say there’s an 85% chance of an above-normal season, with a range of 17 to 25 total named storms. (The 2023 hurricane season had seven hurricanes and 20 named storms.)

That may be a conservative prediction. AccuWeather believes it will be an “explosive” Atlantic Hurricane season this year, with 20 to 25 named storms storms and 8 to 12 hurricanes, with 4 to 7 of them major hurricanes.

“There’s the potential to break the all-time record of 30 named storms in one season,” says Alex DaSilva, AccuWeathers lead hurricane forecaster.

That’s a lot of ruined vacations. But it doesn’t have to happen to you.

“Many travel insurance plans offer cancellation coverage for a hurricane warning at your destination during your scheduled trip,” notes Stan Sandberg, co-founder of travel insurance site TravelInsurance.com.

What you need to know about travel insurance and weather

Coverage for extreme weather is usually included in trip protection plans, according to Jeremy Murchland, president of Seven Corners.

“Trip cancellation coverage, in particular, is something you want before your trip begins,” he says. That’s because it’s where you’ll find most of the weather-related coverage. If you have to cancel a trip because of a hurricane or other extreme weather event, that coverage will be listed in the trip cancellation section.

When are you covered? Usually, the weather benefit kicks in if your flight or cruise is delayed for a specified amount of time because of inclement weather. It can also apply if your destination or home is rendered uninhabitable, or there’s a hurricane warning or a mandatory evacuation at your destination. But the type of coverage can vary.

“Additionally, the policy may be extended past your originally scheduled return date if you are delayed due to a covered unforeseen event, as listed in your insurance policy,” notes John Rose, chief risk and security officer for ALTOUR.

What’s new?

Travel insurance is slow to change, but there have been some innovations. A new company called WeatherPromise offers a product that allows you to protect your trip against bad weather — specifically, that it won’t rain.

WeatherPromise analyzes years of historical data to assess the probability of rain on your trip Then it gives you an offer.

For example, if you’re traveling to Dallas at the end of June for one week and spending $5,000, WeatherPromise will refund the entire cost of the trip if it rains for at least two days. It has to rain at least four hours between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Total cost of your coverage: $250.

“If it rains more than promised, travelers get their trip cost refunded,” says Dan Price, CEO of WeatherPromise.

Strategies for buying travel insurance that covers weather

Travel insurance doesn’t cover every weather event, but some come close. Experts say you should consider upgrading your policy if you want more coverage.

For example, Seven Corners offers an option on some of its policies that allows you to interrupt your trip for any reason you like, not just those included in the basic plan. The Interruption for Any Reason option will reimburse you for up to 75% of your nonrefundable insured trip costs, potentially saving you lots of money. Typically, these upgrades will double the price of your travel insurance policy, but they can also be a lifesaver if your vacation is a washout.

Don’t buy the first policy you see, adds Joe Cronin, CEO of International Citizens Insurance.

“Before making a selection, travelers should investigate thoroughly, ask plenty of questions, and make sure they understand all of the policy information,” he says.

In other words, shop around. Talk to your travel advisor. Consult with two or three big travel insurance companies directly. Go to a comparison-shopping site like TravelInsurance.com or Squaremouth.com.

And, one more thing: Make sure you know exactly what you’re getting.

“Consider purchasing a policy that explicitly outlines coverage,” advises Robert Gallagher, president of the US Travel Insurance Association, a trade group. “Each option has its merits, so travelers should choose based on convenience, transparency and the scope of coverage offered.”

Avoid these mistakes when it comes to weather and travel insurance

Travel insurance can be difficult to understand. And when it comes to weather, there are many potential pitfalls.

Failing to read your policy

There’s a lot of fine print in travel insurance policies when it comes to weather, according to Beth Godlin, president of Aon Affinity Travel Practice. Many travelers skip the fine print, which is a mistake. For example, for most policies to kick in, your flight or specific destination must be directly affected by a severe weather event. “For example, just because a hurricane hits one island does not automatically mean you can cancel your trip to a neighboring island,” she adds. “Remember, every plan has its own unique tms, so it’s always a good idea to read your travel insurance policy carefully and talk to your provider if you have any questions.”

Trying to insure a trip after the weather turns bad

“The one pitfall is that travelers think about insurance after the event has occurred,” says Laura Heidt, the insurance desk manager at Brownell Travel. “The policy must be in place before the natural disaster.” The best way to avoid that problem is to start thinking about travel insurance when you’re planning your trip.

Making assumptions about coverage

Here’s another weather mistake: Believing every weather event is covered. And before you ask, yes, you can gloss over the contract and come away with that impression. So do your homework. One of the most common misconceptions is that a travel insurance policy will compensate you for bad weather. “While travel insurance can provide coverage if extreme weather impacts your ability to get to your location, It does not cover loss of enjoyment, such as wanting to cancel a trip due to bad or rainy weather occurring for the duration of your beach trip,” says Jenna Hummer, a spokeswoman for Squaremouth.com.

Bottom line: If you want to be covered for bad weather this summer — and believe me, you want to be covered for bad weather — you have to shop around, talk to experts, and read the coverage carefully before buying insurance.