Jim Grace Presents "Travel in the Aftermath of a Hurricane"

Hint: Plan on multiple days of disruption.

@JimGrace3JimGrace.com

Travel in the aftermath of a hurricane

Jim Grace Presents:


While time has past, storms similar to Hurricane Sandy and the constant threat of

active hurricane seasons continue to impact and challenge the travel industry.

With thousands of flights cancelled a year and the threat of airports and train stations closing

before, during, and after a storm, there is always potential for disruption that will last

for many days.

I’d like to share with you steps you can take to continue your travels in the aftermath of

a named storm.



If your flight has already been cancelled or significantly delayed

Step 1: Call your travel insurance provider’s emergency assistance number.

This number can be found on your policy.

Depending on your coverage purchase, you may be able to receive assistance with re-

booking and finding lodging, if needed. At the very least, you’ll be able to confirm whether

your policy covers incidental expenses like food while you’re waiting, and what kind of

documentation you may need to provide to file a successful claim.


Step 2: Call your airline and travel suppliers you’ve booked with for your trip.

In most circumstances, this wouldn’t be a recommended course of action. However, in cases

as severe as Hurricane Sandy, many airlines and travel suppliers make special

arrangements to assist passengers and clients. Be aware if this is the case with your

named storm.

Your contacts may be able to provide you with valuable information and support in re-

arranging your travel plans, as well as give you some insight into whether or not your

particular airline/supplier has decided to provide refunds of any kind for disruptions

caused by your named storm.



Step 3: If you’ve determined that you are ready to file a claim with your travel

insurance company, call or email the claims department at the company directly to set the

process in motion.

The contact information should be listed on your travel insurance policy, but if you’ve

purchased from a company whose products are offered through sites similar and including

InsureMyTrip, you can also access the information for contacting claims assistance on most of

their websites.



If you are planning to travel within a week after the storm

Step 1: We recommend staying in contact with airlines and travel suppliers first.

While their phone lines may be quite busy for a few days, it’s important that you have a sense

of how your specific carrier(s) may be faring and what their plans are to get things back on

track. If your trip is still several days away, it may be a good idea to follow your airline

on social media, either through Twitter or Facebook, so that you can receive continual

updates without having to wait on hold.


Step 2: Review your travel insurance policy.

Make sure you understand what benefits are offered for travel delays and cancellations, as

well as other hurricane-specific coverage.

Whether or not flights are actually able to depart and arrive by the time you’re scheduled to

travel is one thing, but whether you can actually go through with your trip if your home or the

lodgings you’ve secured have been significantly damaged is another.

If you ever have questions about your benefits, my company can review your policy with

you, even if you’re not an InsureMyTrip customer. Our licensed travel insurance experts can

be reached at 800-487-4722 during normal hours of operation.



Step 3: When in doubt, call your travel insurance company directly.

Call your travel insurance company directly to inquire about assistance services

and filing claims. The contact information for your specific provider can be found on your

policy.


Asking questions and understating your options are important.

I can help, and know dozens of other trusted and experienced resources available

to consumers. Reach out to me on twitter, follow my blog, and most importantly,

know what you are purchasing.



Jim Grace Presents "Travel in the Aftermath of a Hurricane"

Economy & Finance

Transcript of Jim Grace Presents "Travel in the Aftermath of a Hurricane"