(Daily Finance) — Hurricane Irene’s swath through the Caribbean this week probably left many of the no-longer paradise-bound wondering: Should I have taken out travel insurance? Gabe Saglie, senior editor for the deal publishing site Travelzoo, doesn’t often buy travel insurance, but this time of year makes him think twice, he told DailyFinance. Protection against weather-driven cancellations and delays emerges as a prominent option because it’s the peak of hurricane season. Cheap getaway packages in at-risk areas tend to pop up for sale. Tropical resorts want your business during slow periods. But no matter how attractive the discount, keep in mind that a storm could eat up large, nonrefundable portions of your travel budget. It doesn’t take a once-in-a-decade event like Irene to destroy your plans and take your money.
