When major storms pass overhead, it usually means trouble for travelers.
Airlines can be forced to cancel thousands of flights that affect travelers throughout the country, hotels may abruptly sell out, and cruise ships have to change departure times to get to safe waters.
The good news in the midst of bad weather is that many travelers have some protection from the moment they purchase their trips. Many travel credit cards offer insurance benefits to cover weather-related incidents, including trip cancellation and trip delays.
But that insurance won’t necessarily cover every situation in which you have to cancel or change plans due to winter weather. Experts suggest considering purchasing additional travel insurance to cover the gaps left by a credit card on long trips, trips where medical insurance is required, or trips that cost $10,000 or more.
What to know about travel insurance for bad weather cancellations
Before buying any travel insurance policy, be sure to get the gist of what coverage is included from your credit card. Here’s what to look for.
Are you covered?
Coverage depends on how travelers purchase their trip. If it is purchased with a credit card, some travel insurance benefits may already apply. But if they pay by debit card or check, they may not have any coverage without purchasing a travel insurance policy.
And note: “For third-party travel insurance policies, you have to collect receipts and credit card statements to submit with a claim,” says Steven Benna, marketing specialist at travel insurance website Squaremouth.com.
Winter weather
If airplanes are still flying, trip cancellation and trip delay benefits usually don’t apply. But flights changed by an airline may count toward trip cancellation. If a flight or tour is canceled by an airline, train, or bus line because of severe weather, travelers could file a claim to recover nonrefundable costs lost as a result of the storm.
Named storms
A traditional travel insurance plan may not cover claims resulting from a named storm, unless the plan was purchased before it was named.
Travel insurance from credit cards may not have the same restrictions, but often only covers incidents directly resulting from weather. Read the explanation of benefits to see what may be covered.
Trip cancellation
Despite the name, not all reasons for canceling a trip are covered. Travelers can’t file a travel insurance claim because they anticipate bad weather. But if the weather forces them to miss a trip or return home early, credit card travel insurance could help recover costs.
“For something weather-related, a credit card can provide up to $10,000 in trip cancellation,” Benna says. “But if travelers want something more comprehensive, they can purchase a third-party insurance.”
» Learn more: Trip cancellation insurance explained
Trip delay insurance
Those who get stuck at the airport for an hour or two may not be covered by trip delay insurance; travelers often have to be stranded for six to 12 hours before they can request reimbursem*nt.
Before spending for a hotel or meals during a trip delay, be sure to check benefit explanations.
Lost or delayed baggage
Airplanes aren’t the only things to get delayed ’ bad weather. Luggage can also be left behind. Depending on the plan or policy, travelers can file a claim to get reimbursed for incidentals if their luggage is missing between six and 12 hours. And in some situations, credit card insurance may offer better coverage, Benna says.
If bags are permanently lost, credit card baggage insurance can also provide some reimbursem*nt. Travelers can file an insurance claim for lost or damaged items if they were in the care of the airline or common carrier at the time. However, time is of the essence: After a report is created with the carrier, some insurance providers will only accept claims filed within 20 days.
» Learn more: How lost luggage insurance works
Travel insurance + weather disruptions, recapped
Certain credit cards include travel insurance as a benefit, and sometimes, this coverage is enough to help you weather a storm. If you're traveling during a time of year or in a destination that has a higher likelihood of storms, wildfires, hurricanes or other natural disasters, consider purchasing a stand-alone travel insurance policy.
Here are the best travel insurance providers to bolster your coverage and better protect your trip investments.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for:
Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
FAQs
Most Travel Guard travel insurance plans provide coverage for inclement weather, which means any severe weather condition that delays the scheduled departure of a common carrier may be covered on your plan, subject to the terms and conditions of the specific plan.
What conditions are not covered by travel insurance? ›
Conditions which may not be covered
Conditions like terminal illness, the need for oxygen, pending surgery, chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease, specific types of cancer, congestive heart failure, and recurring pain are generally excluded from coverage.
Which circ*mstance are not covered in travel insurance? ›
Indulging in reckless activities, such as excessive drinking or taking recreational drugs, can lead to a rejection of any insurance claim, whether related to medical, baggage, liability or anything else.
What are the limitations of inclement weather insurance? ›
Weather insurance does not protect your business against the reduced demand for your business event or service as a result of slight temperature changes. It also does not cover property damage resulting from various weather events, including wildfires, torrential rains, hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods.
Does travel insurance cover storms? ›
Once a storm has been named
However, once a storm has a name, any newly purchased policy likely won't cover claims due to the storm. Typically, you need to purchase travel insurance at least 24 hours in advance of the storm being named in order for all of its benefits to apply.
What is the reason for inclement weather insurance? ›
Weather insurance as a separate policy is commonly used to protect businesses and their related activities. As such, these policies serve various purposes, such as insuring an expensive event that could be ruined by bad weather. Insurers cover insured entities if weather conditions cause a loss of revenue from events.
What pre-existing conditions are not covered? ›
Health insurers can no longer charge more or deny coverage to you or your child because of a pre-existing health condition like asthma, diabetes, or cancer, as well as pregnancy. They cannot limit benefits for that condition either.
What is considered a pre-existing condition for travel insurance? ›
With Seven Corners Trip Protection and Seven Corners Trip Protection USA, a pre-existing condition is an illness, disease, or condition you or your travel companion, business partner, or family member booked to travel with you has during the 60 days immediately before your plan starts.
Can travel insurance deny pre-existing conditions? ›
While most travel insurance policies exclude pre-existing conditions from medical expenses and evacuation coverage, you may be able to obtain coverage with a pre-existing conditions waiver.
Is it worth claiming on travel insurance? ›
Travel insurance can give you extra protection if your holiday doesn't go as planned. This is very important if you are travelling independently because you may find yourself stranded with no way to get home and no rep to help sort out your holiday problem.
Cancellation cover is a common inclusion with most standard travel insurance policies, but you can take it out separately if it doesn't offer enough cover. Alternatively, if you only want cancellation cover to protect you against cancelled flights rather than baggage protection, you can get it for that.
What is not covered by Allianz travel insurance? ›
Claims due to known, foreseeable, or expected events, epidemics, government prohibitions, warnings, or travel advisories or fear of travel are generally not covered (coverage can vary by state.)
Does travel insurance cover weather events? ›
Travel insurance generally won't cover a cancellation due to weather unless your travel supplier is unable to operate for 24 consecutive hours. You may need to wait until an official warning of a hurricane or other disaster is issued or until the hurricane is named for your cancellation to be covered.
What would be considered inclement weather? ›
Inclement usually refers to severe or harsh weather that is cold and wet. When packing for a trip to the Caribbean bring tank tops and shorts, but don't forget a raincoat in case of inclement weather. This adjective can also refer to a person or action that is harsh and unmerciful.
What is the inclement weather clause? ›
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, you're not required to pay hourly, or nonexempt, employees who are unable to work due to inclement weather, but you are obligated to pay your salaried, exempt employees if you close due to a severe storm or other weather-related events.
What is a covered reason for trip cancellation? ›
Here are some examples: The unexpected death, sickness or injury of you, a travelling companion, or a family member. You need to attend the birth of a family member's child. Travel carrier cannot get you to your destination due to a natural disaster or severe weather.
Does Travel Guard cover weather cancellations? ›
With Travel Guard, you're prepared if you need to cancel for work or illness or weather or any other covered reason. When you're covered, you can begin to relax. Plus, filing a claim is very user-friendly. That's a pretty nice feeling in an unpredictable world.
What does travel insurance cover? ›
So, what does travel insurance cover? Here's the very short answer: Cancellations, medical expenses, evacuations, loss or delays, and 24/7 assistance. These are the 5 basic types of coverage provided with vacation insurance.
Will travel insurance cover cancellation? ›
Travel insurance cancellation can help you reclaim all or some of your costs should you need to cancel your holiday plans. Cancellation cover is included as part of most travel insurance policies. Therefore, you should expect to get the money back.
