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MEDIA ADVISORY: I.I.I. Offers Resources and Experts on Floods, Hurricanes and Insurance for Reporters Covering Hurricane Sandy

SPONSORED BY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New York Press Office: (212) 346-5500; media@iii.org

NEW YORK, October 26, 2012 — Hurricane Sandy is predicted to strike the mid-Atlantic and Northeastern states with dangerous winds and heavy rain early next week. That, combined with the potential for a Nor’easter, could result in major flooding. The Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) has available a variety of resources for reporters covering the insurance-related aspects of the storm.

In August of 2011, Hurricane Irene caused $4.3 billion in privately insured losses plus almost $1.3 billion in insured flood losses. In fact, Irene was the fourth costliest flood event in U.S. history.

Top 10 Most Significant Flood Events By National Flood Insurance Program Payouts (1)

 

Rank Date Event Number of
paid losses		 Amount paid
when occurred
($ millions)		 Amount paid
in 2025 dollars
($ millions)		 Average paid loss
in 2025 dollars
1 Aug. 2005 Hurricane Katrina 168,200 $16,330  $27,007  $160,565 
2 Oct. 2012 Superstorm Sandy 132,800 8,967 12,591 94,812
3 Sep. 2017 Hurricane Harvey 77,100 9,015 11,926 154,682
4 Sep. 2024 Hurricane Helene 57,800 5,803 5,978 103,426
5 Sep. 2022 Hurricane Ian 48,000 4,300 4,687 97,646
6 Sep. 2008 Hurricane Ike 46,900 2,711 4,024 85,800
7 Aug. 2016 Louisiana severe storms and flooding 27,600 2,522 3,401 123,225
8 Sep. 2004 Hurricane Ivan 31,000 1,671 2,859 92,226
9 May 2001 Tropical Storm Allison 30,900 1,110 2,025 65,534
10 Aug. 2011 Hurricane Irene 43,800 1,344 1,927 43,995

(1) Defined by the National Flood Insurance Program as an event that produces at least 1,500 paid losses, since 1978. As of January 2026.

Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data; analysis courtesy of Aon.

View Archived Tables

  

Wind damage from both tropical storms and hurricanes is covered under standard homeowners and business insurance policies. Flood damage resulting from storm surge caused by hurricanes is not covered under standard homeowners and renters insurance policies; however flood coverage is available from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and from a few private insurance companies.
 
Damage to cars from hurricanes is covered under the optional comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy. This covers wind damage, flooding and falling objects such as tree limbs. More than 75 percent of all Americans choose to purchase comprehensive auto coverage.
 
To arrange an interview with the I.I.I., please call the New York City press office at 212-346-5500. You can reach the following I.I.I. spokespeople after hours at:

RELATED LINKS

 
The I.I.I. has a full library of educational videos on its You Tube Channel. Information about I.I.I. mobile apps can be found here.
 
 

THE I.I.I. IS A NONPROFIT, COMMUNICATIONS ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED BY THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY.
 
Insurance Information Institute, 110 William Street, New York, NY 10038; (212) 346-5500; www.iii.org

 

 

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