Media Advisory: Opportunity To Interview Insurance And Disaster Response Experts In New Orleans July 29-30

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

NEW YORK, July 28, 2015 — Reporters interested in interviewing insurance experts in New Orleans this week (July 29 - 30) are encouraged to contact the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).

The I.I.I. can provide information on the economic impact of hurricanes, as well as consumer resources to help individuals and business owners understand their insurance coverage. The I.I.I. is also available to discuss steps that can reduce insurance costs; provide national and state-specific information about historic hurricane losses; and offer insights into the growing exposure to risk in many coastal states.

Hurricane Katrina made landfall on Aug. 29, 2005 and remains to this day the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history.

Also present in New Orleans will be a representative from National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) who can discuss the issues surrounding flood damaged cars and insurance fraud.

In New Orleans this week:

• Jeanne Salvatore, I.I.I. senior vice president, Public Affairs, and chief communications officer: jeannes@iii.org; cell phone: 917-612-4088

• Roger Morris, NICB, vice president and chief communications officer: rmorris@nicb.org; cell phone: 614-975-0585

Wind damage from both tropical storms and hurricanes is covered under standard homeowners, renters and business insurance policies. Flood damage resulting from storm surge caused by hurricanes is excluded under standard policies; however, flood coverage is available from the federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and some private insurance companies.

Damage to cars from hurricanes is covered under the optional comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy. This includes wind damage, flooding and even falling objects such as tree limbs. More than 75 percent of Americans choose to purchase comprehensive auto coverage.

The following online resources are also available to reporters:

RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS

• Issues Update: Catastrophes – Insurance Issues
• Issues Update: Hurricane and Windstorm Deductibles
• Issues Update: Flood Insurance
• White Paper: Residual Market Property Plans – From Markets of Last Resort to Markets of First Choice

FACTS AND STATISTICS

• Hurricanes
• Hurricane Fact Files and Market Share by State
• Flood Insurance

CONSUMER INFORMATION

• Homeowners and Renters Insurance
• Insuring Your Business: Small Business Owners’ Guide to Insurance

VIDEOS

• Making Your Home More Hurricane-Resistant: Five Steps
• Are You Underinsured?
• Don’t Be a Dummy About Flood Insurance
• Filing a Homeowners Insurance Claim: Six Steps
• Disaster Planning with Pets
• Home Inventory Software

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