---
title: "Hurricane Melissa (Backpacking policies)"
description: "Hurricane Jamaica"
url: https://travel-faqs.coverforyou.com/en/articles/130-hurricane-melissa-backpacking-policies
collection: "Travel Disruption & Major Incidents"
updated: 2026-09-07
language: en
---

# Hurricane Melissa (Backpacking policies)

Hurricane Jamaica

### **Am I covered if a hurricane affects my travel plans?**

Yes. Hurricanes are classed as both **Adverse Weather** and **Natural Disasters**, and some cover applies automatically under your policy.  
Your CoverForYou Backpacker policy includes **limited Travel Disruption features**, meaning you’re covered for certain travel delays and additional expenses but **cancellation and holiday abandonment are not covered**.  
_All cover is subject to your policy terms and conditions. If you’re unsure, please check your policy wording or contact our Customer Service team for guidance._

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### **If you haven’t travelled yet**

**Covered as standard:**

-   ✅ **Missed departure or delayed arrival benefits (per 12 hours)** due to adverse weather (for both inbound and outbound flights).
    
-   ✅ **Reasonable additional expenses** to make alternative travel or accommodation arrangements if your original transport is cancelled or delayed.
    
-   ✅ The **FCDO advises against travel** within 21 days before departure due to the hurricane.
    

**Not covered:**

-   ❌ **Trip cancellation** or **holiday abandonment** before travel — these are not included under the CoverForYou Backpacker policy.
    

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### **If you are already abroad**

**Covered as standard:**

-   ✅ **Delayed departure benefits (per 12 hours)** due to adverse weather, your policy will **automatically extend free of charge** until you return home (as long as you’re returning on the next available flight).
    
-   ✅ **Flight cancelled while abroad** , your policy will also **automatically extend free of charge** until your new travel arrangements are completed.
    
-   ✅ **Emergency medical expenses and repatriation costs.**
    
-   ✅ If you are **unable to reach your departure point** due to adverse weather, your policy will automatically extend free of charge until you return home.
    
-   ✅ The **FCDO advises evacuation or return home** during your trip.
    
-   ✅ **Uninhabitable accommodation** due to the hurricane — covered for **curtailment** (ending your trip early) **or relocation** to suitable alternative accommodation.
    

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### **Connecting flights**

-   ✅ **Missed connections** are covered as standard.
    
-   ✅ **Delayed or cancelled connections** are also covered as standard.
    

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### **Important – Airline, Ferry & Train Rights**

We will not provide cover for circumstances known to you before purchasing your policy, or which could reasonably have been expected to lead to the cancellation or disruption of your trip.

If your flight is cancelled by the airline, they are legally required to offer either an **alternative flight** or a **full refund**, and to provide **overnight accommodation** until the alternative flight becomes available, under **EU Regulation 261/2004**.

Similar protections exist where your travel is via a **pre-booked ferry or train**, and the same process should be followed.

All cover outlined above is subject to your policy terms and conditions — please refer to your **policy wording** for full details.