RALEIGH, N.C. – As teh Atlantic hurricane season peaks,travelers heading to coastal destinations this fall are strongly advised to consider purchasing travel insurance,particularly in areas prone to storms. Recent mandatory evacuations triggered by Hurricane Erin in North Carolina highlight the financial risks travelers face when storms disrupt travel plans.
Travel insurance can protect against unforeseen expenses like trip cancellations, delays, and the cost of changes to travel arrangements-including airline change fees and any additional airline expenses associated with getting home. Not all policies are created equal, so careful review of coverage details is essential. Under North Carolina law,those scheduled to stay in areas under mandatory evacuation are entitled to a refund,but this right may be forfeited if offered insurance is declined.
Experts recommend adding extra time to travel schedules, especially when connecting to cruises. “Add a little more padding into your schedule or if you’re expecting to catch a cruise ship somewhere, give it another day or two so that you arrive at the destination and have a little time before that cruise ship departs rather than counting on the plane arriving exactly when it’s supposed to and the cruise ship departing exactly when it’s supposed to,” advised a travel expert.
beyond dedicated travel insurance policies, travelers should also investigate potential travel protections offered by their credit cards. Always read the fine print of any insurance policy to understand its specific terms and conditions. For more consumer protection resources, visit the ABC11 Troubleshooter page.