Prepping for 2019 hurricane season through the lens of 2018

May 29, 2019 | Aon

The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season officially starts on June 1. While severe weather knows no season and can disrupt travelers’ plans at any time, looking back at 2018 and pulling out lessons is a great way to successfully prepare for this year.

In total, the 2018 season brought 15 named storms, including eight hurricanes, and was the third in a consecutive series of above-average and damaging hurricane seasons. Hurricanes Florence and Michael were particularly destructive, causing upwards of $50 billion in damage, according to the National Hurricane Center.

For travelers, there are three specific lessons to be learned:

Take seasonal projections with a grain of salt – the 2018 season ended up exceeding NOAA’s definition of an average season: 12 named storms and six hurricanes categorized as a three to five. Seasonal predictions are useful to an extent, but should never be a crutch for not adequately preparing, especially when recent history has shown that the severity of each season is breaking records and worsening.
Rainfall is as big a threat as wind – Hurricane Florence was a ‘wet’ storm, dumping a record-breaking trillions of gallons of rain in the Carolinas. For this hurricane, the biggest threat wasn’t wind speed, it was rainfall levels. Many people erroneously thought that once the storm’s category was lowered the danger had passed, when in reality it lingered with the ongoing rainfall.
Be smart about the numbers – the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale gives storms a one to five rating based on a hurricane’s sustained wind speed. Many people will use a storm’s category as the basis of their decision to take action. For example, people may make the mental decision to not taken action, such as evacuate the area, when a storm is a level three, when really there is little difference in the damage outcomes between a high-end category three or a low-level category four storm. This was especially evident with Hurricane Michael.

Each of these lessons can come in handy for travelers – both when they are planning their summer vacations and in the moment when a storm is barreling down. One key way to be prepared is to purchase travel insurance, which is designed to offer protection against losses caused by a broad range of unexpected events, including severe weather and/ or natural disasters.

While coverage varies, some trip cancellation plans can reimburse costs if you are forced to cancel due to a hurricane affecting your destination during your scheduled time of travel. However, travelers should note that some plans could require that a storm be named, and/or be affecting your specific destination during the time of travel, and not just headed close to the general geographic location. In addition, some plans provide benefits such as Cancel For Any Reason, or waiver of certain exclusions, but only when the plan is purchased within a set timeframe relative to the travel booking.

Year after year, hurricanes serve as a deadly reminder that nature and the weather is unpredictable and that humans are ultimately at the mercy of the storm. The effects of such storms can sting particularly harshly when on the road. Being educated, making savvy decisions and protecting your plans and trip investment can have a significant payoff for safety and peace of mind.

Aon Affinity Travel Practice Blog Homepage
Aon Affinity Travel Practice Blog Preview
View The Business of Travel Insurance Blog

More Blog Posts

Travel Tips:
The Evolution of Luxury Travel
Traveler Beware: Why Relying Solely on the DOT Rule for Protection isn’t Enough
Top Travel Troubles and The Role of Insurance
Smooth Sailing: Three Reasons Why You Should Purchase Insurance Through Your Cruise Line
Three takeaways from DOT airline passengers’ rights rule
2024 Summer Travel Trends: Destination Dupes, Adventure Escapades and More
Three ways tour operators can ride the ‘silver tsunami’
Wanderlust for Words: Five Destinations for Book Lovers
Lights, Camera, Boarding – What to Know When Traveling to Movie and Show-Inspired Locales
Rest & Relaxation: Worldwide Wellness Destinations
Five Destinations for Every History Buff
Four Ways the Cruise Industry is Leading the Way in Responsible Tourism
The Kick-Off to Summer Travel: A One-on-One with our President Beth Godlin
Summer Travel: What the Industry Should Expect
Weather Impact Data Underlines Importance of Customizing Travel Insurance
Dive into Tour Operator Industry Trends with USTOA Data
Five Reasons to Book an Expedition Cruise
Ride Wave Season Like a Pro
Why You Should Consider Working with a Travel Insurance Broker
Top Four Spots for Music Lovers
Top Five Kid-Friendly Vacation Destinations
Cruising: Family Style
When Not to Buy Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance During Hurricane Season: Your Questions Answered
Five Trips for the Adventure Seeker
How travel insurance is evolving to meet customization demands
MythBusters: The Top Four Myths About Travel Insurance
Five Places to Visit If You Love Wine
Avoiding the Crowds: Five Unspoiled Wonders to Visit in 2022
Travel Looks Forward to 2022
Five Travel Experiences to Check off Your Bucket List in 2022
Post-Departure Benefits: Did You Know Your Travel Insurance Does This?!
Five International Destinations for a Non-Traditional Thanksgiving
Fall Traditions Around the World
Safety at Sea
Adventure Awaits: Five Unforgettable National Park Experiences
Top Spots Abroad to Visit Off-Peak
All Aboard for the North American Rail Renaissance
Revenge Travel’s Must Have Accessory: Travel Protection for International Journeys
Experience European Charm Sans Passport
The Boomers are Back and They’re Helping Fuel a Summer Travel Surge
Be Travel Ready with These Five Tips
The Future of International Travel: Recovery and Beyond
Staying Stateside for Your Next Trip? Here’s What You Need to Know About Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance Trend: Medical Benefits are In-Demand
Travel Protection and Your Credit Cards
How to Read the Fine Print of Your Travel Insurance Policy
Leisure travel insurance purchase trends
Holiday Travel Safety Advice

Insider Insights:
Three Things We Learned This Year
Filing a claim doesn’t have to be difficult. Here’s why.
Taking Your Postponed Honeymoon? Tips Travelers Need to Know
Honeymoon Travel Advice
Where to Soak in a Long Weekend - 4th of July Destinations
4 Cruise Experiences at any Budget
20 for 20: The tech travel tips we've tried, tested and learned

Travel Primer:
Greatest Risks to Big Summer Travel
24/7 Access – The On-Call Travel Insurance Claims Process
Top Events that Trigger Travel Insurance
Will My Health Insurance Cover It?
Top Travel Protection Terms

Destination Spotlight:
Unforgettable Winter Sports Getaways
Five international destinations for food lovers
Grand Advent Festivities Await in Austria
Colorful Cues in Europe
Spook-tacular Halloween Travel Destinations

Real Life:
Severe Weather, Serious Protection
Wellness-Driven Travel Trends
How to Make 2018 the Year for Travel
Home Care Checklist Before Traveling
Study Abroad Smarts for Today’s Student Travelers
First-Time Cruisers: What to Know Before Packing a Bag
Should I Buy Travel Insurance?
Planning the Ultimate Bucket List Trip

Ask Aon:
Your Travel Protection Questions, Answered by the Pros