Hurricane Season 2023 So Far

Hurricane Season 2023 So Far…

Hurricane season 2023 started June 1^st, and when the season first began the NOAA was predicting a “near-normal” season with only 1-4 actual named hurricanes for the year. As of early July, some meteorologists, the team at Colorado State University to be exact, are now reversing the original predictions and upping their forecasts for the 2023 season. The update is quite a stark contrast in comparison to the preseason forecasts.

The change comes from the ever warming Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico water temperatures. Already in the first month of hurricane season, we have seen four named tropical storms, with two of them already breaking records for the farthest east-forming June storms observed in modern times.

Hurricane season usually peaks in mid to late August and September but lasts through the entire month of November. It will be likely that over the next few months, the Atlantic will see an uptick in activity as experts are calling for more and more probabilities of a major hurricane hitting the United States specifically.

The revised outlook for this year’s season is as follows:

• 18 named storms, including the four that have already occurred. The average per year from 1991-2020 was 14.4 storms to put that into perspective.
• 9 hurricanes. The usual average for this is 7.2 per season.
• 4 major hurricanes, which almost doubles the initial projections for number of major storms.

So, what does this mean for travelers?

Simply put, if you will be traveling anywhere near the Gulf Coast or East Coast of the United States, or to or through the Caribbean from now until the end of November, you should have already purchased a comprehensive travel insurance plan. Now, if you haven’t, it is definitely not too late, so let’s look at a few of the important factors you need to consider when choosing a policy to cover you during hurricane season.

When to purchase?

The number one thing to consider when traveling during hurricane season and purchasing travel insurance is this: you MUST purchase your policy before a storm is named. This will insure that you are covered for the storm, rather than waiting to purchase after the storm has been named.

Coverage for Trip Cancellations and Interruptions:

One of the primary advantages of travel insurance during hurricane season is protection against trip cancellations and interruptions. If a hurricane disrupts your travel plans, leading to flight cancellations, hotel closures, or other unforeseen circumstances, travel insurance can provide coverage for non-refundable expenses, including pre-paid accommodations, transportation, and activities. This financial safety net ensures that you won't bear the burden of lost funds due to circumstances beyond your control. Your safest bet is a Cancel for Any Reason plan.

Evacuation and Trip Delays:

In cases where a hurricane threatens your travel destination, local authorities may issue evacuation orders, and transportation services could be severely disrupted. Travel insurance can cover the costs associated with evacuations, including transportation to a safe location and temporary accommodation until it is safe to return. Moreover, if you experience significant delays due to a hurricane or severe weather conditions, travel insurance can provide reimbursement for additional expenses incurred during the delay, such as accommodation, meals, and essential items.