INSURANCE INFORMATION INSTITUTE
Contact: Press Offices
New York: 212-346-5500; media@iii.org
Washington, D.C.: 202-833-1580


NEW YORK, February 6, 2008 — Reporters covering the tornadoes that struck parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee yesterday can call the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) for questions regarding insurance coverage.

Tornadoes are covered under standard home and business insurance policies for physical damage to property. There is also coverage under homeowners insurance for the cost of additional living expenses, and coverage under business insurance for business interruption. Damage to cars is covered under the comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy.

Each year, about 1,000 tornadoes with wind speeds anywhere from 40 mph to as high as 300 mph touch down in the United States.

Additional facts and statistics on tornadoes can be found at http://www.iii.org/media/facts/statsbyissue/tornadoes/ .


The I.I.I. is a nonprofit, communications organization supported by the insurance industry.