Lessons Learned From Sandy: Insuremytrip.com expects high demand for travel insurance this season, reminds tourists to buy coverage early

WARWICK, R.I., May 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the NOAA forecast for an "extremely active" Atlantic hurricane season, InsureMyTrip, the nation's top online provider of travel insurance says more travelers will likely purchase trip cancellation coverage this year. To prepare for a busy hurricane season, InsureMyTrip has added additional customer care staff members to handle an increased volume in calls and plans to launch an interactive hurricane information center on its website.

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"With many destinations on the Atlantic shoreline still recovering from Superstorm Sandy, everyone at InsureMyTrip is committed to ensuring travelers are protected ahead of time," says CEO Jim Grace, InsureMyTrip. "Travelers -- even those far away from where a storm first makes landfall -- can easily be impacted by delays or cancellations."

For the six-month hurricane season, which begins June 1, NOAA's Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook says there is a 70 percent likelihood of 13 to 20 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 7 to 11 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher). (Source: NOAA.gov)

REMINDER: BUY EARLY

There is still time to protect future travels from any yet-to-be-named storms. "Trip cancellation and interruption protection is based on the occurrence of unforeseen events," explains Grace.  "Once a storm has been publicly identified, it can only spell trouble for travelers without insurance protection. You need to purchase travel insurance coverage before a storm is predicted and named, not when it's bearing down on you or your intended destination."

Coverage for weather-related trip cancellations and interruptions differs by insurance company and plan.  All plans vary by coverage or price so it is important to read a policy carefully. The covered cancellation reasons can include:

• Cancellation due to Weather: when common carriers such as airlines and cruise lines cease service due to weather
• Cancellation due to Hurricane Warning: cancellation of your trip if your destination is under a NOAA-issued hurricane warning
• Destination made Uninhabitable: if your hotel, resort, or vacation rental is devastated by a storm
• Primary Residence made Uninhabitable: if your own home sustains destructive storm damage
• Cancel For Any Reason– an optional benefit that allows you to choose whether or not to cancel.

To learn more about protection plans for travel during hurricane season, visit www.InsureMyTrip.com online or call (800) 487-4722 to speak with a licensed travel insurance professional. Whether you simply need one question answered or want step-by-step assistance selecting a travel insurance policy, InsureMyTrip's expert Customer Care representatives are available to help seven days a week, 365 days a year.

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About InsureMyTrip:
Established in 2000, InsureMyTrip is a leading online travel insurance aggregator worldwide.  Featuring insurance comparisons from the top industry providers, InsureMyTrip is a one-stop resource designed to meet travelers' comprehensive insurance needs all in a secure environment. Enhancing the insurance buying experience, InsureMyTrip features a Customer Ratings & Reviews community forum for traveler feedback, discussion and information exchange. InsureMyTrip also specializes in providing custom retail and wholesale travel insurance solutions in the education and mission travel markets. InsureMyTrip is headquartered in Warwick, R.I., with additional offices and data centers in Connecticut and Oregon.

SOURCE InsureMyTrip