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If a hurricane is threatening your destination, the last thing you want to be doing is reading the fine print on your insurance policy. The good news: Seven Corners travel insurance offers some of the most comprehensive hurricane coverage available—but only if you plan ahead. Here's everything you need to know before you go.
Yes. But coverage depends on your plan, the type of disruption, and when you bought your policy. Travel insurance can protect you if a hurricane forces you to cancel your trip, interrupts a trip already underway, or delays your travel. What it won't do is protect you if you wait until a storm is already named, or a watch or warning has been issued before purchasing.
The short version: buy early, know your triggers, and choose the right plan for your trip.
Hurricane season officially runs June through November, with peak activity in August, September, and October. A storm can last anywhere from a few days to two weeks, and can shift course with little warning, which is exactly why having coverage before you travel matters so much.
The U.S. locations most vulnerable to hurricanes include:
Much of the Caribbean sits squarely in the hurricane belt. The islands most frequently impacted include:
Hurricanes are known as typhoons in the Western Pacific and cyclones in the Indian Ocean—but they're actually the same storm system by a different name. High-risk regions include:
If you're set on a Caribbean getaway during peak season, consider the ABC islands—Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. Located south of the main hurricane belt, these destinations see significantly less storm activity and are popular alternatives for travelers who want tropical weather without the risk.
Seven Corners offers two types of plans that cover hurricanes. The right choice depends on whether you need primarily trip cost protection or medical and emergency coverage while traveling internationally.
If your main concern is losing money on nonrefundable flights, hotels, or tours, a Trip Protection plan is your best bet. These plans cover:
Trip Protection Choice offers more coverage with higher maximums. For example, Choice reimburses up to 100% of your nonrefundable insured trip cost up to $100,000 per person for cancellation and covers up to 150% of your insured trip cost for interruptions. It also includes a Frequent Traveler Reward benefit—up to $500 to re-bank frequent flyer miles when cancellation is due to a covered reason.
Trip Protection Basic offers similar coverage with lower limits. Basic reimburses up to 100% of your nonrefundable insured trip cost up to $30,000 per person and up to 100% of your insured trip cost for interruptions.
If you're traveling internationally and your concern is less about the cost of your trip and more about your safety if disaster strikes, a Travel Medical plan provides natural disaster coverage that Trip Protection plans do not. Specifically:
This is particularly valuable for travelers heading to typhoon-prone areas of Southeast Asia or cyclone-affected regions of the South Pacific, where the logistics of emergency evacuation can be complex and expensive.
This is where many travelers get surprised. Coverage isn't automatic the moment a storm forms. There are specific triggers that activate each benefit.
Your Seven Corners Trip Protection plan will cover cancellation due to a hurricane if one of these conditions is met:
Trip Delay coverage applies to any common carrier delay caused by inclement weather, including a hurricane, or if a mandatory evacuation order prevents you from traveling to or from your destination. Coverage kicks in after a delay of six or more hours (varies by state and plan).
If your travel is delayed three or more hours due to a common carrier delay, documented inclement weather, or a natural disaster, this benefit can cover additional transportation to join your cruise or tour, plus accommodations and meals
This is the most important thing to understand about hurricane coverage: once a storm is named or a tropical storm is upgraded to a hurricane, it becomes a known event. And known events are generally excluded from new policies. As always, covered reasons vary by plan, so it’s best to review your plan document—but buying early is your safest bet.
Time-sensitive purchase requirements to keep in mind:
The bottom line: buy travel insurance as soon as you book your trip, especially if you're traveling during hurricane season.
Sometimes a storm doesn't meet the official threshold for a NOAA watch or warning, but you're still uncomfortable traveling. That's exactly what optional add-ons are designed for.
CFAR lets you cancel your trip for any reason at all, including storm anxiety, and receive up to 75% of your nonrefundable prepaid trip costs back.
Requirements:
CFAR is not available in all states.*
Already traveling and want the option to head home early, even if no official warning has been issued? IFAR provides reimbursement for up to 75% of unused nonrefundable trip costs if you decide to cut your trip short for any reason.
Requirements:
IFAR is not available in all states.**
Even with great coverage, how you respond matters. If you anticipate a hurricane threat, here's what to do:
Don't wait until a storm is brewing! Get a quote from Seven Corners and find the right plan for your trip—whether you're headed to the Gulf Coast, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, or anywhere else storms can follow.
*CFAR is not available in all states. When you complete the quick quote in our purchase process, it will be presented to you as an option if it is available. This Cancel for Any Reason Benefit does not cover Travel Arrangements not provided by the Travel Supplier or the failure of the Travel Supplier to provide the bargained-for Travel Arrangements due to cessation of operations for any reason.
**IFAR is not available in all states. When you complete the quick quote in our purchase process, it will be presented to you as an option if it is available. This benefit does not cover penalties associated with Travel Arrangements not provided by the Travel Supplier for this Trip and failure of the Travel Supplier to provide the agreed upon arrangements for Your Trip for any reason.
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This website and various social media updates provided by Seven Corners contain content, information, articles, videos, and links to websites created by third parties. Seven Corners, its owners, and its employees neither endorse nor are responsible for the accuracy, timeliness, or reliability of any third-party information, statements, opinions, or advice and are not liable for any loss, harm, or damage caused by your reliance upon them. Use of such information or the linked websites is entirely at your risk. Concerns regarding this third-party content should be directed to the third party. Seek professional advice, as appropriate, regarding your use of such information and websites.
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