78% of Travelers to Puerto Rico Say They Have Not Purchased Travel Insurance, According to Arch RoamRight

Business Wire

This comes less than two years after Hurricane Maria struck the island, disrupting travel plans for many.

HUNT VALLEY, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Less than two years since Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, many travelers planning to visit the hurricane-susceptible island are opting not to purchase travel insurance.

A new study by Arch RoamRight travel insurance shows 78% of surveyed travelers headed for Puerto Rico indicated they did not purchase travel insurance.

The results were collected in a survey of visitors to RoamRight.com. Arch RoamRight, a leading provider of travel insurance in the United States, asked visitors questions about their travel habits.

“We know everyone’s travel style is different, but 78% of travelers indicating they had not yet purchased travel insurance for a trip to Puerto Rico is concerning,” said Cory Sobczyk, Vice President of Business Development for Arch RoamRight.

“Travel insurance for those traveling to Puerto Rico is essential,” said Mr. Sobczyk. “Puerto Rico is a destination that is at risk during hurricane season and in recent years suffered the effects of Hurricane Maria, the second deadliest hurricane in American history.”

June 1 marks the start of hurricane season in the Atlantic.

Travel insurance can provide coverage such as trip cancellation for those with trips booked to destinations that may be affected by hurricanes. Travelers should buy travel insurance early; for many packages, including those offered by Arch RoamRight, coverage must be purchased before a storm is named.

Travel insurance can also provide additional important benefits to travelers, including emergency medical benefits and coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage.

Puerto Rico is Back to a Hot Travel Destination

While the results of the survey indicated a high percentage of travelers to Puerto Rico are opting not to buy travel insurance, Arch RoamRight is seeing an increase in the total number of customers visiting Puerto Rico when compared to 2018. The number of travelers insured by Arch RoamRight going to Puerto Rico is up 17% through May 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.

“We are happy to see that Puerto Rico is once again a hot travel destination,” said Mr. Sobczyk. “However, the results of our survey show us that the travel insurance industry should do more to educate consumers on the merits of travel insurance.”

Travel agents who want to learn more about how travel insurance can help protect their clients during hurricane season can attend a webinar on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. More information can be found at www.roamright.com/hurricanes-2019.

About RoamRight

RoamRight (www.roamright.com), an Arch Insurance brand based in Hunt Valley, Maryland, provides travel insurance to help U.S. residents traveling around the world. RoamRight offers travel insurance plans for leisure, business, student and group travelers taking both domestic and international trips. From trip cancellation to travel medical insurance plans and an award-winning mobile app and website, RoamRight is an industry leader in innovation and technological solutions.

About the Survey

These results were collected in an interactive questionnaire posted on a RoamRight.com blog post entitled “19 Things to Pack for Puerto Rico.” The survey was live from March 4 to May 29, 2019 and received 1,071 responses. The purpose of the survey was to gather information on travel habits. The survey and its results are informal and not large enough to arrive at conclusions that concretely summarize travel trends.