Hurricane Season Drives Up Travel Insurance Demand
  |
HURRICANE SEASON MEDIA CONTACT Mark Jenkins, AAA Spokesman, |
AAA: TRAVEL INSURANCE DEMAND GROWS
FOR HURRICANE SEASON
TAMPA, Fla., (June 12, 2018) – More Floridians are purchasing travel insurance for their summer vacation this year, as forecasters predict another active hurricane season. Last year, Hurricane Irma forced thousands of travelers to cancel trips to Texas, Florida and the Caribbean, resulting in a record number of travel insurance claims, according to AAA's partner, Allianz Insurance.
Click here to read the full survey
A new AAA Consumer Pulse™ survey unveiled nearly two-fifths (37%) of Florida travelers are more likely to purchase travel insurance compared to last year. Almost half of them (49%) attribute that to last year's hurricanes and severe weather.
"Hurricanes and other major storms can wreck your vacation plans and cost you money," said Vicky Evans, Assistant Vice President, Travel Sales Development, AAA – The Auto Club Group. "Travel insurance is the best way to protect your investment. However, timing is important, because you can't get coverage after a storm is named. Once the National Weather Service issues a warning for a storm or hurricane, it is considered a foreseeable event. Policies purchased on or after the warning date do not cover losses related to that event."
A hurricane can impact every traveler differently. Some may want to cancel a trip, because a storm is approaching their home. Others may be on vacation and unable to return home on time - because of delayed or cancelled flights. In both scenarios, travelers can lose money on either non-refundable deposits or unplanned expenses. Depending on the policy, these travelers could be reimbursed if they have travel insurance.
There are a variety of policies travelers can consider. Some help offset unplanned expenses, others allow you to cancel your vacation at any time and recoup some of, if not all non-refundable deposits. To maximize vacation protection from storms and hurricanes, travelers should meet with a travel agent to plan their vacation and find the right coverage for them.
"Even if you are not worried about hurricanes, Americans should still consider travel insurance for their next vacation," Evans continued. "Various policies help protect you from the unexpected during your trip. It's also very common that people file claims for something that happens before the trip, like an illness that causes them to miss their vacation."
About the AAA Consumer Pulse™ Survey
The AAA Consumer Pulse™ Survey was conducted online among residents living in Florida from April 4, 2018 – April 18, 2018. A total of 400 residents completed the survey, with 296 planning to take at least one summer vacation. Survey results have a maximum margin of error of ± 5.7 percentage points. Responses are weighted by gender and age to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the adult population (18+) in Florida.
About The Auto Club Group
The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America. ACG and its affiliates provide membership, insurance, financial services and travel offerings to over 9.5 million members across eleven states and two U.S. territories including Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; most of Illinois and Minnesota; and a portion of Indiana. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 58 million members in the United States and Canada and whose mission includes protecting and advancing freedom of mobility and improving traffic safety. Motorists can map a route, identify gas prices, find discounts, book a hotel, and access AAA roadside assistance with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.