Hurricane season: Tips for savvy travellers

After Hurricane Dorian, the 2019 hurricane season is underway. People living in affected areas are on the alert, while travellers wonder if it’s a good idea to take advantage of lower prices and venture south. The answer is yes! As long as you can be a little flexible.

Your best companion for fall travel is hurricane coverage. Most tour operators and airlines offer it for free or at a low cost. It allows you to change your vacation plans or get reimbursed in the event of a hurricane or tropical storm. And if a hurricane is announced after you arrive at your destination, you’ll receive a travel credit.

The wisdom of trip cancellation and interruption insurance

It’s still a good idea to take out trip cancellation and interruption insurance. “If the solutions they offer don’t work for you, your insurer may reimburse you,” says Suzanne Michaud, Vice President, Insurance at CAA-Quebec. In order for the insurance to be valid, she points out, the trip and the travel insurance must have been purchased before the Canadian government issued a recommendation to avoid travelling to the areas affected by the hurricane.

This type of insurance also covers return tickets and living expenses if the hurricane hits during your trip. You can also be reimbursed for any prepaid activities and hotel nights.

FICAV, Quebec’s compensation fund for customers of travel agents, can also come to the rescue with reimbursements for travel services you did not receive due to a hurricane.

A typical hurricane season

Hurricane season runs from mid-May to late November, peaking in September. This year most experts are expecting the season to be slightly less intense than normal, with two to four major hurricanes.