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How Hurricanes Can Affect Our Travel Plans
Hurricane season occurs every year, but should this affect our travel plans? While weather patterns can be unpredictable, we should take extra precautions and consider the time of year we travel. Plus, So, always make sure you and your clients have appropriate travel insurance in place.
Normally, the hurricane season begins in June and lasts up until November every year. Not all areas are affected by such severe storms. The most common places affected are the southern states in the USA, most Caribbean islands, and the eastern regions of Mexico. This doesn’t mean that they should be avoided completely but we should all be aware of the risks when travelling at this time of year.
At P J Hayman our team advises that travellers should always check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) website for up-to-date travel advice before booking a trip.
Navigating Caribbean travel around hurricane season
Generally, the Western Caribbean islands get the hurricanes first before it moves on to the rest of the islands. Some of the safest islands to travel to are Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, and Grenada. They are generally affected by heavy rain but not full-on hurricanes.
There are some benefits to travelling during the hurricane season. For example, travelling to these islands means the prices we pay for accommodation and flights will be less because it is an off-peak time to travel. Many people still holiday at this time of year without any issues as these islands are outside of the primary hurricane belt.
Often the best time to travel to the Caribbean is during the shoulder season, between the off-peak hurricane season and the peak dry months. For example, travelling here in May means that schools are still in term time, but the weather will be dry and still very warm, typically about 27 degrees. You can visit the western Caribbean islands such as The Bahamas or Antigua and Barbuda. These have a higher risk of seeing a hurricane at other times of the year.
Travelling to the USA
Travelling to America at any time means a long flight and elevated holiday costs. What about during hurricane season? The USA is such a large area that the climate varies depending on the region. The state most affected by extreme storms is Florida. Ironically, Florida is also nicknamed ‘The Sunshine State’ due to its long hours of sunshine and warm temperatures.
If you have a client who wants to visit Florida remind them that the best time of year to go is anywhere from December to January. This is the time of year when the sun is shining and these are the dryer months, so there is little risk of a hurricane! Furthermore, January in particular is when children are back in school, and prices tend to drop following the Christmas season. Plus, this is a great time to explore the Everglades National Park where gators and pythons can be spotted in their natural habitats.
Avoiding typhoons in Japan
Extreme storm seasons also occur in the Pacific Ocean, affecting areas like Japan, China and the Philippines. These areas have slightly different storms with slightly different names – but are no less dangerous. A typhoon is another name for a tropical cyclone, but they are named depending on where in the world they occur. For example, the Atlantic has hurricanes whereas the Pacific has Typhoons, and the Indian Ocean has Cyclones.
This typhoon season in Japan is from May to October, with August to September being the peak. Here, typhoons are given numbers rather than names like in the USA. We can still travel to Japan during these times, but it is important to be aware of the risks. For example, if we travelled at the start of their hurricane season in May, whilst there is still a risk, the chances of being impacted by a typhoon is much lower than if we travelled towards the end of the season.
Instead, we suggest travelling here in March when it’s the off-season and the weather is mild and getting warmer. It is also when there is a decrease in tourists, so prices start to come down for travel and accommodation. Cherry blossom season happens towards the end of March through to May so this is when the prices will peak, and it will be very busy. However, if we travelled in mid-March, we may get a glimpse of some early blossoms.
Be cautious of cyclones
Cyclones occur when they form in the Indian Ocean and affect places like India, north-west Australia and some parts of Africa. In Australia, their hurricane season runs from November to April. Normally, about 11 cyclones occur yearly with only 4 making it to land in Australia. This does not seem like a lot but it’s still crucial to know what to do if one does form and when the best time to travel is. Plus, it is normally only northern parts of Australia that are affected by these events.
Being so vast, Australia has different weather conditions depending on where you are going. For example, if we were travelling to Sydney, travelling from July to December are the driest months. Meanwhile, if we visited southern Australia, the dry season is from November to March. Perth is the sunniest city with an average of 3,200 hours of sunshine annually. When in Perth, be sure to catch the Whales migrating in September as they make their return with newborn calves.
Which of P J Hayman’s policies provide cover for a hurricane?
Hurricanes are often classed on insurance policies as natural disasters.
With our Free Spirit policy and Travel Plus policy, these events are covered as standard if someone must cancel or cut a trip short.
What is covered on a Free Spirit and Travel Plus Policy?
• Cancellation cover is provided up to £6,000.
• £10 million is provided for medical expenses if someone is travelling with Free Spirit Super Duper Cover or Travel Plus Primer Plus Cover.
• A 24-hour medical emergency helpline is available for guidance each step of the way.
When sourcing a policy for a client during hurricane season ensure it covers exactly what’s needed.
Download and read our Free Spirit Policy Document in full .
Download and view our Travel Plus Policy Document in full.
Travel, With Confidence
Always ensure that you and your clients view up-to-date FCDO travel advice before booking a trip to ensure its safe to travel to a destination during hurricane season. This is because they’ll only be covered for any unforeseen circumstances.
Furthermore, it is recommended to take out travel insurance as soon as booking a trip to get cover for anything unforeseen that may occur.
Whatever time of year your clients wish to travel, help them to travel, with confidence by suggesting one of P J Hayman’s travel insurance policies.




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