After a horrendous year and searching farmers almanac to see that a "light" hurricane season is expected in the Atlantic this year, we have reservations for 5 nights in Turks and Caicos starting Thursday to celebrate our 34 year wedding anniversary. We live in Charlotte, NC which is 4 hours away from the coast. Hurricane Florence, 500 miles wide, is brewing out there and the latest forecasters are saying it is expected to hit Thursday evening, Friday morning timeframe. We lived through Hurricane Hugo in 1989 which came up to Charlotte and we were without power for 9 days, many trees down all around us with multiple neighbors losing their homes or a good portion of their homes. I have travel insurance which covers:
b) Inclement Weather causing delay or cancellation of travel; Inclement Weather” means any severe weather condition, otherthan a hurricane, which delays the scheduled arrival or departureof a Common Carrier or prevents the Insured from reachinghis/her Destination when traveling by a rented or owned vehicle.

So...... DH is not leaving. He insists on staying home to make sure the house is OK and there is no flooding, damage, etc.

I called my travel insurance company. After holding for 25 minutes I asked if this policy could cover cancellation since the storm is affecting 3 states. The gentleman did not immediately say no, but told me I would need to speak with a specialist in that department, so I am waiting on someone to call me back.
Of course I am fearing the worst. I will not be covered. $2500 is out the window if we stay here due to the expected landfall of Florence.

I am NOT a happy camper today.

American Express will cover our airline tickets without penalty. The villa is not on American Express.

Oh, let us know what the insurance company decides. Best of luck to you.

Bankbabe - I’m so sorry! I hope some clarity on what to do will soon emerge.

This happened to us for our 30th anniversary family trip to Dorado Beach. My husband was ready to fly into a series of 3 hurricanes as he was sure he’d lose the $$. My daughters and I decided we weren’t going and he was a bit miffed. In the end, the Island of PR was so devastated that we received all the money back.

(I think insurance companies will do what it takes to not pay claims. Then we have to push back.)

Oh dear, I hope you both het covered completely by your travel insurance and can rebook. Traveling to Turks in January, when it is cold and the chance of storms might work if you want to find an alternative date. Good luck. And Happy Anniversary.

I hope this can be resolved bankbabe. I'm like you, losing that kind of money would be a blow. Aren't there some policies that let you cancel the trip for any reason? I may be mistaken about that, but thought I remembered seeing it when I was looking for a policy for my trip last year. I wish you the best, storm wise and trip wise.

Just a quick thought -- Any possibility of leaving a day ahead and getting down to south Florida for a flight to Turks and Caicos? As of now, neither S. FL nor T&C look to be in the hurricane's path.

Bankbabe, sorry just replied to your other thread didn't realize you were in Charlotte. This is a tough one, sorry you have to make this decision. It is hard to leave your house, but also going for a week or more without power is miserable. Hope all works out for you.

I am not clear on the "what would you do" part of the question--it sounds like you all are set to cancel regardless given your husband's position and are just hoping to get the insurance to pay out? I hope you can cancel and receive a full refund. I don't have any advice about dealing with insurance companies except that I think gruezi's insight is correct--they want to avoid paying and it's up to us to push back. I hope you can reschedule your adventure. And Happy Anniversary!

I don't know what I'd do, but I'm sorry you're going through all this.

OK - I just got off the phone with the travel insurance agency again. They said someone would call me back within 4 hours and that never happened. This time after waiting 25 minutes I said I wanted to wait for the "specialist". After 20 more minutes of waiting they informed me they were unable to allow me to wait any longer and they would move my case up to "urgent" status meaning someone would get back to me within one day. Meanwhile, I called the company we rented the villa through. They are not able to change my date to late October, but they will call the Travel Insurance company on my behalf. For that I am grateful because they refer countless travelers to this place. I mean, that is what insurance is for - unforeseen incidents. The Villa rental place had never heard of anyone getting denied because of a hurricane. So, fingers crossed. DH is as upset as I am and says we can go whenever ASAP this blows over.

Thanks for commiserating.

So sorry for you! This storm is going to be a bad one!

Oh dear, bankbabe! Good luck with it all. And congratulations on your Anniversary.

I a,m assuming that the insurance policy actually covers something like this. Is it an "act of God?" All that sort of thing.

I know how you feel (down here in South Florida) and there is no way I would leave my home were a storm approaching. We did that once and regretted it. Even if this thing reaches Cat5 it won't be that strong once it is over land but we already know the collateral damage can be devastating and long-lasting.

We dodged our own bullet this week since we were in Canada at the very height of storm season. I will not leave home during that period again.

But rest assured, the President has your back.

Good luck to you.

I’m sorry Bankbabe. I hope they cover . It sounds like it’s not a cancel for any reason policy, but I hope they come through.

my BIL lives in Wilmington and is headed to Charlotte;(

Ah Mother Nature is at it again! BOOOO!!!!!!!!!! I'm sure as heck hoping reasonable insurance minds (yeah I know, a huge contradiction in terms) will refund all money 100%. This is truly an exigent circumstance. And an acto fo God. Good luck.

All I can think of is the horrible flight if you do go.

Happy Anniversary.

I'm like your hubby, I would want to be home to try to minimize the damage or to help neighbors that need help.

I am so sorry bankbabe and hope your house will be OK and you will be granted a full refund. I hope you'll be able to reschedule your trip soon!

This is not going to be a big problem for Charlotte (but will for areas east of us). Hopefully you have not canceled yet.

Well, Brian let us hope that there aren't any rain-related problems in Charlotte