Georgia Tornadoes Signal the Beginning of Twister Season in the South

Spring Is Peak Tornado Season in the South; I.I.I. Offers Safety and Claims Filing Tips.

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

NEW YORK, March 17, 2008 - The tornadoes that swept though Atlanta and other parts of Georgia over the weekend, are a timely reminder of how deadly and destructive twisters can be in the southeastern U.S. Due to the area's population density and its close proximity to warm Gulf air, weather data shows that more people have been killed by tornadoes in "Dixie Alley" than on the Great Plains, often referred to as "Tornado Alley," according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.)

Standard homeowners and business insurance policies cover wind damage caused by tornadoes and severe weather. Homeowners insurance policies also provide coverage for additional living expenses, which policyholders may need to finance temporary housing costs and other daily necessities. Damage to vehicles is covered under the comprehensive section of standard auto insurance policies.

Each year about 1,200 tornadoes with wind speeds as high as 300 mph touch down in the United States with peak tornado season in the south running from March through May. Though not generally as destructive as hurricanes, tornadoes are more frequent and can also cause severe damage.

The I.I.I. offers the following tips for preparing for and dealing with a tornado.

Before a Tornado

The I.I.I. recommends that you familiarize yourself with these terms to help identify a tornado hazard:

• Tornado Watch: This means tornadoes are possible. Remain alert for approaching storms. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.
• Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Take shelter immediately.

If a tornado watch has been issued, move cars inside a garage or carport to avoid damage from hail which often accompanies tornadoes. Keep your car keys and house keys with you at all times.

Move lawn furniture and yard equipment, such as lawnmowers, inside. Otherwise they could be damaged or act as dangerous projectiles causing serious injury or damage.
Be sure to always have an up-to-date inventory of your possessions and store it in a safe place, with at least one copy off the premises-with a family member, in a safe deposit box, or with an online storage service. The I.I.I.'s free home inventory software, Know Your Stuff, is available at www.KnowYourStuff.org; the latest version of the software includes an optional online storage service, Vault24.

During a Tornado

Do not try to outrun a tornado-stay calm and seek shelter. At home or work, find shelter in the central part of the building, away from windows. If possible, go to a basement or lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of an interior room on the lowest lever (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Do not open windows.

If you are in your car, abandon your vehicle and seek shelter in the nearest ditch if no other facility is available. Do not get under a bridge or overpass. You are safer in a low, flat location.

People living in mobile homes should vacate the premises and seek shelter elsewhere.

After a Tornado

The I.I.I. offers the following advice to speed the insurance claims settlement process following a tornado:

• Be prepared to give your agent or insurance company representative a description of the damage to your property. Your agent will report the loss immediately to your insurance company or to a qualified adjuster who will contact you as soon as possible in order to arrange an inspection of the damage. Make sure you give your agent a telephone number where you can be reached.
• If it is safe to access the area, take photographs of the damaged property. Visual documentation will help with the claims process and will assist the adjuster in the investigation.
• Prepare a detailed inventory of all damaged or destroyed personal property. Make two copies-one for yourself and one for the adjuster. Your list should be as complete as possible, including a description of the items, dates of purchase or approximate age, cost at time of purchase and estimated replacement cost. Go to www.KnowYourStuff.org for more information.
• Collect canceled checks, invoices, receipts or other papers that will assist the adjuster in obtaining the value of the destroyed property.
• Make whatever temporary repairs you can. Cover broken windows and damaged roofs and walls to prevent further destruction. Save the receipts for any supplies and materials you purchase as your insurance company will reimburse you for reasonable expenses in making temporary repairs.
• Secure a detailed estimate for permanent repairs to your home or business from a licensed contractor and give it to the adjuster. The estimate should contain the proposed repairs, repair costs and replacement prices.
• If your home is severely damaged and you need to find other accommodations while repairs are being made, keep a record of all expenses, such as hotel and restaurant receipts.
• If your business has been damaged, and you have business income (business interruption) insurance, it covers the profits your business would have earned, based on own financial records, had the disaster not occurred. The policy covers additional operating expenses incurred as a result of the disaster, such as the extra expense of operating out of a temporary location.
• Serious losses will be given priority. If your home has been destroyed or seriously damaged, your agent will do everything possible to ensure your claim is given priority.

The Insurance Information Institute has a free brochure, Settling Insurance Claims after a Disaster, available online or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
Insurance Information Institute
110 William Street
New York, NY 10038.

For more information about insurance, go to the I.I.I. Web site; for more information about preparing for a disaster, go to the I.I.I.'s Disaster Insurance Information Web site.

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