The start of the 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins today, a week after the NOAA (National Oceanic 's38; Atmospheric Administration) Weather Service Climate Prediction Center issued its forecast for the Atlantic Season. The forecasters predict between 9 and 14 named storms, of which 4 to 7 may become hurricanes, including one major storm of Category 3 (111 m.p.h.) or larger. The outlook is 50% probable for a near normal season that averages 11 named storms including six hurricanes of which two are majors. There is, according to NOAA, a 25% probability for above-normal 2009 storm activity, and a 25% probability for below-normal activity.
Travel Insured International reminds travelers that seasonal National Weather Service hurricane forecasts combined with actual seasonal results since 2005, the year of Hurricane Katrina,
show how unpredictable hurricane seasons can be. While the NWS Prediction Center has forecast the number of storms with remarkable accuracy, especially in the last two years following the
record storm activity of 2005 and the quieter 2006, there are surprising results each year.
Last year, for example, six consecutive named storms (Hurricane Dolly, Tropical Storm Edouard, Tropical Storm Fay, Hurricane Gustav, Hurricane Hanna and Hurricane Ike) struck the U.S. for
the first time ever. There were also major category 3 Atlantic hurricanes in each of five consecutive 2008 months for the first time, including Bertha in July, Gustav in August, Ike in
September, Omar in October and Paloma in November.
The storm data is a reminder that adding travel insurance provides peace of mind in protecting against hurricane-related trip cancellation and delays when traveling during the hurricane
season from June 1 until November 1. Remember, however, that you must plan early, preferably with your initial trip deposit, to get protection from an unforeseen hurricane disruption.
Once a storm has been named by the National Weather Service you cannot obtain coverage against any storm-related disruption from that storm!
Hurricane-Related Travel Insured Coverage:
Trip Cancellation: Travel Insured International'ss Worldwide Trip Protector plans can provide coverage for Trip Cancellation if weather causes complete cessation of your common carrier
for 24 or more consecutive hours. This coverage can also protect you if a hurricane or natural disaster renders your destination accommodations uninhabitable. And it can protect you if
your primary residence within 10 days of your scheduled departure is made uninhabitable by a flood or other natural disaster.
Trip Interruption - Mandatory Evacuation: If local authorities order a mandatory evacuation at your destination due to a hurricane or other natural disaster during your trip and at the
end of the evacuation you have 50% or less of your trip remaining, this coverage can protect you.
Cancel for Any Reason: When you are concerned about the potential of traveling when a storm might be building but has not yet reached your destination, your best option is to purchase a
Cancel for Any Reason upgrade within 14 days of your initial trip deposit. This option will allow you to cancel up to two or more days prior to your scheduled destination for up to 75%
reimbursement of your non-refundable prepaid vacation costs. But remember the insurance and option must be purchased before the storm is named for coverage to apply!
Trip Delay: A weather-caused delay of your common carrier for six or more hours can provide Trip Delay coverage of up to $500, $750, or $1,500 depending upon the terms of the Worldwide
Trip Protector plan you purchase.
Missed Port of Call: Worldwide Trip Protector and Gold plans offer a Missed Port of Call benefit that addresses cruise or tour disruptions due to unforeseen events such as hurricanes.
Insured passengers who prepay for a non-refundable shore activity in a port of call, or a scheduled stop on a tour, but miss the activity due to a change of itinerary, can be reimbursed
up to $750 unless the missed activity is rescheduled during the course of the trip.
Missed Connection: This coverage can protect you if, as a result of a weather-related disruption of your common carrier for three or more hours, you miss your cruise or tour departure.
Benefits can be paid up to the limits specified on your selected Worldwide Trip Protector plan.
About Travel Insured International
Travel Insured delivers comprehensive travel protection benefits ranging from trip cancellation and trip interruption to emergency assistance and Medevac insurance, travel accident and
sickness medical expense, accidental death and dismemberment, missed connection and baggage delay or loss.
The company'ss travel insurance plans include its comprehensive Worldwide Trip Protector, the most popular travel protection plan (http://www.travelinsured.com/Travel-Insurance/TravelPlan.aspxplan=333) and Worldwide Trip Protector Gold
(http://www.travelinsured.com/Travel-Insurance/TravelPlan.aspxplan=334), an enhanced travel insurance
plan designed to protect luxury vacations and business trips. Travel Insured also offers two travel insurance plans designed to provide basic yet flexible protection for families and
budget conscious travelers, its Worldwide Trip Protector Lite insurance plan and Worldwide Trip Protector Lite Expanded insurance plan. Finally they offer a Medical Protector insurance
plan, an Airline Ticket Protector plan as well as a complete offering of Group Travel Insurance plans including Student Group insurance plans.
Visit Travel Insured'ss web site at www.travelinsured.com or speak to a friendly, knowledgeable Travel Insured customer care professional at
1-800-243-3174.
Travel Insured International, based in East Hartford, Connecticut, was founded in 1993 by the foresight of insurance industry executive Peter Gehris when he acquired the travel protection
division of the Travelers Insurance Company. Coverage is underwritten by Arch Insurance Company (a Missouri corporation, NAIC #11150) with executive offices located in New York, NY. Not
all insurance products or coverage is available in all jurisdictions. Coverage is subject to actual policy language.
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