Travel experts say if you're planning to travel to places such as the Caribbean, Mexico, or the Bahamas, now may be the time to consider travel insurance.
There's an important catch, which is that waiting until a hurricane is named could mean you're too late to get coverage for that particular storm.
Suzanne Morrow with InsureMyTrip says, "They should be buying travel insurance well in advance of the possibility that there'll be a named storm."
Once a storm has been named, travelers may still be able to purchase a travel insurance policy, but they generally won't be able to make a claim related to that already-known storm. That doesn't mean purchasing insurance after a storm is named is completely useless.
Morrow says a policy may still provide coverage for other unexpected events, but travelers should not assume it will cover losses related to the named hurricane.
Experts recommend shopping around and comparing policies before purchasing.
Pay close attention to what each policy covers, including whether it provides protection if your destination becomes uninhabitable or if you're unable to reach your destination because of storm-related road closures.
Travelers should also check the coverage offered by their credit card. Depending on the card and policy, coverage may only apply to expenses actually purchased with that card.
Morrow adds, "If you didn't pay for everything using the credit card, you're only going to have coverage for those things that you purchase with the credit card."
Another thing to keep in mind is that travel insurance doesn't always mean you'll get your money back in cash. Some policies may provide a travel credit instead.
If you have a fall trip planned during hurricane season, don't wait until a storm is approaching to start thinking about travel insurance.
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