As Hurricane Irma barrels toward Florida, first of all, stay safe! And once you are safe, if you’re a visitor to the storm zone you might well be considering travel insurance to cover your expenses from the trip.

But what kind of insurance? There’s a variety of types, and the type you get may determine whether you’re covered and how much.

One of the most important factors is timing. “Once a storm is named, it’s too late to buy travel insurance to cover it,” says Dan Durazo, director of communications for travel insurance provider Allianz. Irma, for example, received her name on August 30. At that point she became what insurers call a foreseeable event, and policies purchased after that wouldn’t cover losses due to the storm. That’s why Durazo advises buying travel insurance as soon as possible.

So does Chris Carnicelli, CEO of insurer Generali Global Assistance. “Travelers should always be aware of the possibility of weather-related events affecting their vacation plans.” This seems to be all the more relevant as weather patterns get more severe and the timing more erratic.

Then there’s the question of what travel insurance actually covers. Depending on the plan, benefits might include coverage for transportation, emergency assistance, concierge services, reimbursement for medical and dental expenses, and 24-hour assistance call centers. Some plans cover a percentage of your loss or stipulate that you must cancel within a certain time period, so it’s important to check the terms and conditions before buying.

Broadly, travel insurance coverage applies to three major scenarios: your trip being canceled completely, interrupted after you’ve left or delayed due to storms.

By Andrew Bender 

See full story at www.forbes.com