What Travel Insurance & Trip Protection Insurance Covers During Hurricanes & Severe Weather

When a hurricane like Melissa barrels across the Caribbean, travelers and trip leaders often ask the same question:  "What does my travel insurance actually cover when weather disrupts my plans?"  Let's unpack how travel insurance and trip protection benefits work when nature takes over - and what steps you can take to minimize disruption, cost, and stress.

When Weather Cancels or Delays Your Trip

Most travel insurance policies include limited Trip Interruption or Trip Delay benefits for events such as hurricanes, tropical storms, or government-declared natural disasters.

Coverage typically applies if: 

• Your airline, cruise, or transportation is shut down for at least six hours due to weather.
• Your lodging becomes uninhabitable or your destination is under an evacuation order.
• You miss a connection because of flight cancellations or delays caused by the storm.

Trip Delay benefits often reimburse reasonable expenses - think extra hotel nights, meals, or transportation to rejoin your itinerary.  Trip Interruption benefits can help cover non refundable trip costs or the cost to return home early if your trip must be cut short.

Important:  Policies don't cover "known events".  Once a storm is named and widely reported, new policies may exclude coverage for disruptions from that event.  Purchase coverage before a system becomes official.

What About Medical Emergencies During a Storm?

If you become injured or ill during a storm, your travel medical coverage remains active.  This includes:

• Emergency medical care
• Hospitalization
• Medical evacuation if necessary and feasible

However, if the area is inaccessible due to local government restrictions or unsafe weather conditions, evacuation may be delayed until conditions permit.  That's why coordination through your insurance carrier is essential.

Best Practices When Weather Threatens Travel

1. Act Early!  Don't wait for airports to close.  If advisories recommend evacuation, rebook or reroute immediately.
2. Contact Your Insurance Carrier Before You Depart.  Confirm benefits related to "trip interruption" and "trip delay".
3. Keep Documentation.  Save receipts, weather alerts, and flight cancellation notices for any claims.
4. Know the Definition of "Covered Event".  Each policy defines what qualifies as a natural disaster or mandatory evacuation.
5. Use Reliable Alerts.  Sign up for local embassy notifications and travel alerts from MissionSafe's MIQ System.
6. Stay Connected.  Maintain a charged phone, backup power, and internet access whenever possible.

Traveler's Toolbox:  Helpful Resources When You Need It Most 

If you're a MissionSafe traveler, your Traveler's Toolbox passport sticker is your go-to destination to find support quickly during travel abroad.  Simply scan the QR Code and scroll to find the help and resources most often needed in emergencies during travel abroad, such as:

• IMG's Emergency Line Phone Number
• How to find a doctor in your location abroad               
• State Department Travel Advisories
• Access Your Plan Documents
• File a Claim                                                                                 

Final Thought

Severe weather doesn't just disrupt travel; it can jeopardize health, safety, and mission objectives.  Understanding your insurance benefits - and knowing what steps to take before, during, and after a storm - can turn a potential crisis into a manageable delay.

MissionSafe stands ready to support you with expert assistance, clear communication, and reliable protection - wherever your journey leads.

Stay Ready, Stay MissionSafe

If you have travel plans to the Caribbean or neighboring regions, contact your MissionSafe representative for guidance, policy support, and updates from our international assistance team.