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Jessica Hanson
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Phone:
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850-320-2955
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Jessica.Hanson@pciaa.net
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Insurers Urge Caution as Residents in Georgia and the Carolinas
Prepare for Tropical Storm Hanna
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CHICAGO – The Property Casualty Insurers Association
of America (PCI) encourages residents in Georgia and the Carolinas to take precautionary measures as
forecasters are predicting that Tropical Storm Hanna could make landfall this
weekend.
Hanna is expected
to accelerate and reach Category 1 strength in the coming days as it moves over
Gulf Stream waters in the Atlantic Ocean, east of the Florida coastline. The storm could affect
the southeastern states by late Friday or Saturday.
“As the southeastern
states brace for Tropical Storm Hanna, property owners should be sure to take
basic precautions to protect families and homes,” said David Sampson, president
and CEO of PCI. “Residents are strongly encouraged to follow the advice of
local officials, and anyone who may be ordered to evacuate should be prepared
to report claims to their insurer as soon as it is safe to return to their
homes and businesses and assess the damage.”
“Insurers
will be ready to respond, as soon as it is safe, with catastrophe teams at the
scene,” said Sampson. “PCI and other industry groups constantly work with the
state and local officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on
disaster planning for both individual homeowners and businesses and are
prepared to offer prompt assistance.”
PCI
recommends the following hurricane precautions:
- Review
your property insurance policy, especially the “declarations” page, and
check whether your policy pays replacement cost, or actual cash value for
a covered loss. Many homeowners policies provide reimbursement for
additional living expenses when the property is determined to be
uninhabitable due to damage. This provision helps in paying for increases
to necessary living expenses such as temporary housing and restaurant
bills. In addition, extra expenses such as overnight parking and laundry
services may also be covered. Additional living expense coverage does not
pay for all living expenses, it covers only the increase over normal
living expenses. Please note, additional living expenses are not included
under a flood insurance policy.
- Inventory
your household items, and photograph or videotape them for further
documentation. Keep this information and your insurance policies in a safe
place.
- Keep the
name, address and claims-reporting telephone number of your insurer and
agent in a safe and easily accessible place.
- Protect
your property by covering all windows with plywood or shutters, moving
vehicles into the garage when possible and placing grills and patio
furniture indoors.
- Keep all
receipts for any repairs so your insurance company can reimburse you.
- Check
with your insurance adjuster for referrals to professional restoration,
cleaning and salvage companies if additional assistance is needed.
In case of
flooding:
- Shovel or
scrape mud off walls, floors and furniture, then hose from the ceiling
down before the mud dries.
- To
prevent mold and odors, clean walls and floors with diluted chlorine
bleach.
- Dry wood
furniture outdoors away from direct sunlight.
- Use
public water only after it has been declared safe by an authorized
official.
PCI urges coastal
residents to always remain vigilant of the weather, as the hurricane season
lasts until November 30 and to utilize the “Storm Safety: 6 Steps in 6
Weeks” material found online at www.pciaa.net.
These helpful storm safety tips provide homeowners with steps to strengthen
homes and protect families. If a storm is looming, PCI’s “Hurricane
Headquarters 2008” site located at www.pciaa.net
provides up to date weather information and a guide to help residents manage a
storm.
PCI is composed of
more than 1,000 member companies, representing the broadest cross-section of
insurers of any national trade association. PCI members write over $195
billion in annual premium, 39.8 percent of the nation’s property casualty
insurance. Member companies write 51.4 percent of the U.S.
automobile insurance market, 38.4 percent of the homeowners market, 32 percent
of the commercial property and liability market, and 37.6 percent of the
private workers compensation market.
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