Travelers bracing for Hurricane Matthew seek to cancel trips, says InsureMyTrip

WARWICK, R.I., Oct. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- As Hurricane Matthew makes its way through the Caribbean, travelers are preparing for its potential impact. Travel insurance comparison site InsureMyTrip reports a 20 percent jump today in calls from travelers. Licensed travel insurance agents say travelers are seeking the following:

• Information on how to cancel an upcoming trip
  
• Clarification on how travel insurance covers hurricanes
  
• Advice on making a travel insurance purchase

"This is a dangerous storm with weather forecasts suggesting that Hurricane Matthew could head closer towards the US as we approach Columbus Day weekend. We understand that travelers clearly have concerns about bad weather hampering their travel plans and our customer care representatives are here to answer questions about their travel insurance policy," says InsureMyTrip CEO Jim Grace.

Tip: Travelers concerned about hurricanes should purchase travel insurance early. Once a storm starts forming, it's considered a foreseeable event and insurance coverage will no longer be available for purchase to cover losses related to that storm.

According to InsureMyTrip, 75 percent of customers choose a comprehensive travel insurance policy for travel during hurricane season. This type of policy provides a variety of benefits including medical coverage, emergency travel services, baggage protection, trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage.

Here are some examples how insurance enables travelers to cancel a trip due to severe weather-related concerns under the trip cancellation benefit:

Cancel trip due to weather: when common carriers such as airlines and cruise lines cease service due to weather.

Cancel due to a hurricane warning: when a destination is under a NOAA-issued Hurricane warning or alert.

Cancel because of storm damage at destination: when a hotel, resort, or vacation rental is devastated and made uninhabitable by a storm.

Cancel because home is destroyed by storm: when the home of a traveler sustains destructive storm damage.

Cancel trip for any reason: this is an optional time-sensitive benefit that allows travelers to cancel a trip for any reason. This benefit includes specific eligibility requirements.

MORE: How can I cancel a trip for any reason?

Travelers interested in learning more about protection plans for travel during hurricane season can visit www.InsureMyTrip.com or call (800) 487-4722 to speak with a licensed travel insurance agent.

Topic Expert:
Jim Grace
[email protected]

About InsureMyTrip

InsureMyTrip compares travel insurance products from the most trusted providers in the industry.

InsureMyTrip's powerful unbiased comparison engine enables travelers to quote and buy the right travel insurance plan. The site offers the most travel insurance reviews on the planet. Supported by award winning customer service and travel insurance agents licensed in all 50 states. 

Featured by Consumer Reports, and listed as a helpful website by the US Federal Consumer Information Center.

InsureMyTrip travel insurance experts are featured in national publications including Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Washington Post, and Travel + Leisure.

SOURCE InsureMyTrip

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