RALEIGH, N.C. – โ As teh Atlantic hurricane season peaks,travelers heading to coastalโข destinations this fallโค are strongly advised to consider purchasing travel insurance,particularly in areas prone to storms. Recent mandatory evacuations triggered by Hurricaneโ Erin inโข North Carolinaโข highlight the financial risks travelers face when storms disrupt travel plans.
Travel insurance can protect against unforeseen expenses โlike tripโ cancellations,โ delays, and the costโ of changes toโค travel arrangements-including airline change fees and any additional airline โขexpenses โคassociated with getting โhome. Not all policies are created equal, so careful review of coverage details โis essential. Under Northโค Carolina law,those scheduled to stay โขin areas under mandatoryโ evacuation areโ entitled to a refund,but this right may be forfeited โฃif offeredโฃ insurance is โdeclined.
Experts recommend adding extra time to travel schedules, especially when connecting to cruises. “Add aโข little โขmore padding intoโค your โคschedule or if you’re expecting to catch aโฃ cruise โship somewhere, give it anotherโ dayโฃ or two soโ that you โarrive at the destination and have a little time beforeโ that cruise ship departs rather than counting on the plane arriving exactly when it’s supposed โto โand the cruise ship departing exactly when it’s supposed to,” advisedโ a travel โexpert.
beyond dedicated travelโฃ insurance policies, travelers โคshould also investigate potential travel protections offered by their credit cards. Always read the fine print of any insurance policy to understand its specific terms โคand โconditions. For moreโ consumer protectionโข resources,โข visit the ABC11 Troubleshooter page.