When a Natural Disaster Affects your Vacation
Travel Insurance
Extreme weather is making travel more unpredictable.
In many popular travel destinations, serious weather events have become an unfortunate reality, making disaster preparedness an essential part of travel planning.
In August 2023, wind-driven wildfires in Maui caused devastation throughout the island, prompting the evacuation of many tourists, while leaving uncertainty for those with upcoming trips.1 In May 2024, volcanic eruptions in Iceland led to the evacuation of visitors from the country’s top tourist attractions, and Icelandic authorities declared a state of emergency after hundreds of small earthquakes shook the nation’s most populated region.2
Travel Protection for Individuals and Groups
Select from a variety of Trip Protection and Travel Medical plans and MedJet Global Medical Transport memberships.
As climate change worsens, natural disasters will continue to derail travel plans. Travel insurance can provide protection against all sorts of unexpected events that could affect your trip
Here are some ways travel insurance can help in the event of a natural disaster.4
Evacuations. If a mandatory evacuation is ordered or recommended by local government authorities, trip protection plans may cover your evacuation costs.
Delays and interruptions. If extreme weather leads to a trip delay or interruption, trip insurance typically covers reasonable expenses like meals, and can reimburse non-refundable, pre-paid and unused trip payments.
Cancellations. If you’re forced to cancel your trip due to a natural disaster—whether at home or your destination—trip cancellation insurance can reimburse you for non-refundable, pre-paid trip payments or deposits.
Injuries. If you’re injured in a natural disaster, travel medical insurance can help cover your health care. Global medical transport can help bring you home.
Important note: Travel insurance covers “unforeseen events,” so it’s important to purchase coverage when you book your trip, before a disaster is predicted or occurs. For example, hurricane benefits are available only if you cancel your trip more than 14 days following your effective date of coverage and if the hurricane warning was not yet issued at that time.
Don’t let the possibility of a natural disaster deter you from exploring the world. Just be sure to take the necessary precautions to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Travel insurance is a great place to start.
1 “Hawaii Travel Discouraged Amid Fires: How to Change Your Plans,” nerdwallet.com, August 2023.
2 “Iceland volcano 2024: Is it safe to travel and is the eruption affecting flights?” Euronews.com, May 2024.
3 TravelInsured.com.
4 Travel insurance plans vary, so check yours for specific details, rules, and exclusions.
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