Hurricane season and snowbirds: How to prepare for unpredictable weather

Poor weather can put a damper on any traveller’s plans. For snowbirds, it’s hurricane season that can impact a travel schedule.

Each year, as snowbirds make arrangements for their trip south, they are eagerly keeping an eye on the forecast. In the southern United States, hurricane season lasts from June to November, and these storms could put travel plans in jeopardy. However, the heart of hurricane season (August to October) is right around the time when most snowbirds start to filter down south.

Hurricanes commonly pass through popular snowbird areas in Florida, Texas, Arizona and Mexico, with the potential for causing significant damage and travel delays. If you’re a snowbird, it’s important to be prepared to adjust your travel plans in  unpredictable weather conditions.

Tips for snowbirds who travel during hurricane season

If you are travelling during hurricane season, whether by air or by land, here are some tips to ensure your safety:

• Keep an eye on the weather forecast for the area where you will be travelling to
• Consult the Government of Canada’s travel advisories to ensure it’s safe to travel
• Make sure trip cancellation and interruption coverage are part of your travel insurance policy
• Have a backup plan and be willing to change travel dates to avoid poor weather conditions
• Provide your family and friends with a detailed travel itinerary and your contact information
• After you arrive at your destination, stay up to date with the local weather forecast and learn about the safety precautions to take in case of a hurricane

If you own property down south

If you own a home or condo in a snowbird destination, hurricane season is about more than simply avoiding a storm when travelling. It’s also ensuring your property is safe and secure before and after a hurricane passes through. For some snowbirds, this means arriving early in the season; for others, it means confiding in a trusted neighbour who lives close to their winter home or paying a property management company to install shutters or take other actions to secure your home.

How travel insurance can help during hurricane season

Travel insurance is one of the most valuable forms of protection you can have when travelling during hurricane season. Travel insurance can help cover the costs of:

• Non-refundable travel plans and deposits
• Cancelled flights
• Unexpected hotel stays
• Trip Cancellations
• Lost baggage

The important thing to keep in mind is to ensure you have travel insurance, which is why it’s always recommended that you purchase your snowbird travel insurance as soon you confirm your travel plans. If you are a frequent traveller, you can also consider an annual travel insurance plan.

Explore your snowbird travel insurance options with Blue Cross and learn why we are the most trusted name in insurance worldwide.