After months of saving and planning, you are ready to embark on your dream vacation. That trip may take you to a much-desired Caribbean destination or perhaps you will be visiting a country on the western edge of the Pacific rim.

Regardless of your plans, there is one factor that can ruin everything: the weather. Not simply a cloudburst or a rainy day, rather a tropical storm that may turn into a typhoon or a hurricane. Your plans may end up being canceled, costing you thousands of dollars without hurricane insurance to cover it. Here is what you need to know about obtaining hurricane insurance.

Hurricane or Typhoon?

It really does not matter what the storm is called. The term hurricane is used for storms in the Atlantic and eastern Pacific, with typhoons reserved for the western Pacific. In the Indian Ocean, these storms are often called cyclones.

Your hurricane insurance should cover any type of wash out. Indeed, some tropical storms end up being more destructive especially if they become stationary and end up dumping tens of inches of rain over one spot for several days.

Hurricane Insurance or Travel Insurance?

When shopping for hurricane insurance, you may find that the term is not used or at least it isn’t used apart from another term — travel insurance. With travel insurance, you are protected against any sort of unforeseen problem including personal illness, trip cancellation and trip interruption.

Regardless of the terminology used, you want travel insurance that provides comprehensive coverage in the event something goes awry. There are varying levels of insurance offered from the basic to the comprehensive. Choose the level of protection that you are comfortable with.

Buying Travel Insurance

Many insurers provide travel insurance. Check with your own insurer as well as with competing companies. Not all insurance plans are alike — you need to carefully read and consider what the insurer is offering.

You should know that travel insurance may not be available once a named storm has been identified. Some policies cover insurance 24 hours before a named storm is identified, but not closer to that time.

Insurance Considerations

You should also know that simply because a storm is in the vicinity of where you are traveling, insurance may not kick in. Insurance will cover airport closures and if you are required to evacuate your hotel or resort costs can be covered too. However, if you cancel your trip based on what you think will happen, insurance will not cover your concern.

If your trip is delayed or some other changes are required, travel insurance can cover those expenses as well. You may still be able to get to your destination, but a delay or rerouting of your trip that costs you money can mean that at least partial coverage.

Ultimate Coverage

Some consumers may be under the impression that their travel insurance coverage is sufficient to cover their needs. What you should know is that there are basic, upgraded and “gold” plans, the latter offering the ultimate coverage.

Ultimate coverage means that every contingency is covered including trip cancellation, lost luggage, medical emergency and medical evacuation. For families, your children should be covered and usually at no cost. Therefore, when shopping for travel insurance, buy the plan that best fits your needs and concerns.

See Also — What You Need to Know About Travel Insurance