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This blog is FYI and full information accuracy is not implied by AIIA.
FEMA's Operation Blue Tarp - Call 1.888.766.3258
With the amount of roof damage left by recent hurricanes, it may be a long wait to get repairs done to roofs and some insureds may be incapable of making temporary repairs. FEMA's Operation Blue Tarp may be of help to your clients to get assistance from FEMA with getting a blue tarp to cover roof damage. Each homeowners must qualify for this assistance. If qualified, FEMA will send a contractor out to put a tarp on the rood. For more information, call toll free 1.888.766.3258. Dwayne T. LeBlanc, CIC, CPCU
FEMA Releases Innovative Flood Claim Handling
FEMA has released innovative flood claim handling that will assist policyholders to quickly recover from these losses. Click here to see the complete Hurricane Flood Claims Handling Standards.
IIABA's Virtual University Helps Agents with Hurricane Coverage Questions
Bill Wilson of IIABA's Virtual University has complied a great number of coverage questions related to hurricane Katrina such as evacuation, civil authority and many more. This is a great resource and may offer solutions to many of your questions or concerns. Please visit http://www.independentagent.com/VU/Nonmember/DisasterResources.htm to see the site or log in normally to the Virtual University.
National Flood Insurance Program Announces Simplified Adjustment Process
The National Flood Insurance Program will modify the way it settles claims to expedite the response to those policyholders in storm-stricken areas under a new policy. The NFIP is utilizing all available data on water depths, aerial imagery, and information from underwriting files, to determine properties where it is readily apparent that flood damage covered by the policy will exceed the amount of insurance purchased. It will be possible to pay the policy limits through dialogue with the insured and without waiting for a site visit to adjust the loss.
The NFIP has waived the usual requirement that the policyholder must submit a proof-of-loss and instead where the policyholder agrees, will rely on a report by the claims adjuster. The NFIP has urged insurance companies to provide advance checks of around $3,000 to policyholders who carry contents coverage. Policyholders without important insurance documents can contact the NFIP's hotline at 1-800-427-4661 to get their policy information. A listing of insurance company phone numbers, along with additional insurance information, is also available at http://www.fema.gov/press/2005/katrinainsurance.shtm .
Housing Available
Call CRS Temporary Housing 800-968-0848 or www.crstemphousing.com. 2-3 BDRMS, all types, fully furnished, $2000-$4000. We can help! If you have available housing for rent, please call/go online to register your home.
Summit Workers Comp Claim Information
First report of injury hotline: 800.762.7811
Toll-free claims: 888.468.2539
Claims direct: 225.928.0820
Claims fax: 225.926.1226
Drive Insurance from Progressive - For Agents, Claim Numbers
In some areas of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, Drive's customer and claims services numbers are not working properly. Customers and agents who need to report a claim please call 800.925.2886 or try these alternative numbers - 719.432.0264, 440.446.3245, or 602.352.7743. Customers affected by Hurricane Katrina who are unable to make a payment in need of special consideration or if you have policy questions, please call Drive customer service. Leniency guidelines are available. Customers can also use www.driveinsurance.com to access policy information or to contact customer service. Alternate fax number is 440.683.8672. Agents, click here for additional information including commission checks being held for affected areas due to non-working U.S. mail facilities and taking payments from displaced customers.
Posted - 9-7-05
MetLife Claim Information
MetLife customers can call MetLife's toll free claim number 24 /7. Other information about how MetLife is reaching out to customers can be found at http://www.metlife.com/Applications/Corporate/WPS/CDA/PageGenerator/0,1674,P9322,00.html .
MetLife Auto & Home: 800.854.6011
for Life Insurance and other products: 800.MET.LIFE
Posted - 9-7-05
American InsurStaff Wants to Help Displaced Professionals and Insurance Companies
American InsurStaff has the expertise and experience to help displaced victims start over in their profession. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, they are implementing two policies: 1) for displaced professionals and 2) for clients a discount is offered. Click here for more information or contact Shannon Mancin at 205.397.9606 or 866.437.8233 or by email to shannon@insurstaff.com .
Posted - 9-7-05
Travelers Suspends Billing, Non-Payment Cancellation Notices
Travelers has suspended bills and non-payment cancellations notices to those areas of Alabama affected by Hurricane Katrina, Travelers & St. Paul Travelers claim personnel and CAT vans are in the state and are quickly responding to claims. St. Paul Travelers has pledged $1 million to the American Red Cross and has instituted a matching program for employees. Below are the phone numbers to report claims that are covered 24/7 by St. Paul Travelers employees.
Travelers Home & Auto Claims: 800.252.4633
Travelers Flood Claims: 800.356.6663
Travelers Boat/Yacht Claims: 800.772.4482
St. Paul Travelers & Travelers Business Claims: 800.238.6225
MOBILE CLAIM HEADQUARTERS LOCATIONS:
Hattiesburg, MS : Wal-Mart / Sam's at 6080 Hardy St. Highway 98
Baton Rouge, LA: Home Depot at 10300 Coursey Blvd., corner of Cedarcrest Ave.
Gulfport, MS: Crossroads Mall at NE corner of 1-10 & Highway 49
Jackson, MS: Dogwood Festival Market Mall, 115 Dogwood Blvd, Flowood
Posted - 9-7-05
Governor Bob Riley Announces Alabama Relief Fund
Funds raised will go to help meet the needs of Alabamians with claims resulting from a disaster or emergency and who are not covered by insurance or eligible for FEMA assistance. We encourage you to donate and volunteer for this Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort. Please call toll-free 877.273.5018 or visit http://www.servealabama.gov .
Posted - 9-7-05
Audubon Flood Experiences Phone Outages
Audubon Flood is experiencing phone problems in Baton Rouge, La. To report Audubon Flood claims to National Flood Services, please call 800.759.8656, by fax 406.257.1629 or to claims@nfsmt.com by email. To contact Joe Cudney direct, please email Joe at joe.cudney@aig.com, which is the best method at this time. If you need to report changes to your contact information due to relocation, please visit the AIIA website at www.aiia.org and click the link for Displaced Agencies/ Companies. AIIA is pleased to assist our members with any communication needs.
Posted - 9-7-05
Big “I” Establishes Katrina Relief Fund
IIABA has established the Big “I” Katrina Relief Fund in order to assist those whose lives have been tragically altered by Katrina and its aftermath. All donations will assist insurance industry colleagues, including independent agents, brokers, their employees and their families in the impacted areas. IIABA was the first to donate to this fund, giving $10,000. “In times of such hardship it is important that we band together as an industry, but more importantly, as Americans,” says IIABA CEO Bob Rusbuldt. “These tax deductible charitable contributions will allow independent agents in these devastated communities to pick up the pieces and start helping their neighbors and customers.”
Checks made payable to “Big ‘I’ Katrina Relief Fund” should be mailed to:
Big “I” Katrina Relief Fund
c/o InsurBanc
10 Executive Drive
Farmington, CT 06032
To contribute via credit card, go to http://insurbanc.com/vsitemanager/smartforms/default.asp .
Posted - 9-7-05
Alabama Agents Help Victims, Tuscaloosa and Birmingham Local Chapters Donate to Red Cross
Last week, AIIA informed members how to help victims and evacuees of Hurricane Katrina. If you are moved to make a difference, we encourage you to donate blood or make a contribution to a relief charity. Roy Donaldson, President of the Independent Insurance Agents of Tuscaloosa, Inc., informed AIIA that their local board chapter donated $2,500 to the Red Cross in support of relief work. Donaldson challenged other associations to do the same. In response, the Birmingham Independent Insurance Agents (BIIA) will be donating $5,000 to Red Cross Relief Efforts. AIIA appreciates the efforts of the members of the Tuscaloosa and Birmingham local boards. Many offices such as Cobbs, Allen & Hall and your AIIA staff are collecting useful items such as water, soap, mouthwash, hand sanitizer, non-perishable food items, school supplies, clothing and toys for distribution to refugees and victims.
In addition, several AIIA associate member companies are working hard to reach customers to assist with claims and to provide information and support that will help rebuild their lives. St. Paul Travelers donated $1 million the Red Cross. According to AIG Agency Auto rep Mary Henderson, AIG, who has many employees along the Gulf Coast whose lives were directly impacted, pledged $1 million and will match employee contributions 100%. If you would like to share how your company or agency is helping, please send an email to Alison Ray King at aray@aiia.org .
Posted - 9-7-05
InsurBanc to Offer Special Loans to Affected Agencies
InsurBanc, the independent agency community’s full-service financial services provider, has put together a special loan program for qualifying agency principals affected by Hurricane Katrina. InsurBanc is offering special pricing on short-term loans for hurricane-related expenses to independent agents who have been financially affected in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida. Rather than having to tap into personal money and credit cards, or waiting for other emergency funds to become available, this program will help qualifying agency principals get back to work immediately. To learn more about this special loan, please call 866.467.2622 and ask for the hurricane loan assistance.
Posted - 9-7-05
Katrina May Be Costliest Hurricane in History, Estimates Pending
The impact to the insurance industry and domestic economy will no doubt be tremendous; however, it is too soon for credible damage estimates. Many affected areas are still unreachable, prohibiting adjusters and owners from determining claims. Robert Hartwig, chief economist for the Insurance Information Institute, comments that “the major modeling companies say anywhere between $9 and $26 billion, but I think the low end of that is pretty unrealistic.” According to Insurance Journal, RMS revises their report to an estimated $20-$35 billion. In addition to personal property losses, Hartwig expects a greater component of commercial losses than previously seen by the prior 12 months of hurricane damages. Katrina could be a turning point for commercial property insurance, reports Aaron Davis, Vice President of the property syndication group for insurance broker Aon. He expects changes in reinsurance, policy language and rates.
Posted - 9-7-05
GE Insurance Solutions (Westport) Suspends Cancellations, Non-Renewals thru November 1, Donates $1 Million
IIABA and Big “I” state associations in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama were informed that the Big “I” Professional Liability Program provided by GE Insurance Solutions (GEIS) and underwritten by Westport Insurance Corporation suspended all cancellations and non-renewals on insurance agency professional liability policies issued after August 19. The moratorium is in effect until October 31. No AIIA member in the Westport program will have the policy lapse until at least November 1, 2005. Premium charges for policy extensions will be on a pro rata basis. All state laws will be followed and each policyholder will receive appropriate notice with specifics directly from Westport. In addition, GEIS parent General Electric donated $1 million to relief efforts through the Red Cross.
Posted - 9-7-05
Some Alabama Insurers Offer Suspended Billing, Grace Periods
Some insurance companies are suspending billings or offering grace periods for payments from Alabama customers affected by Hurricane Katrina, announced Insurance Commissioner Walter Bell. AFLAC, ALFA, Allstate, Farmers, Nationwide and State Farm are instituting plans, and Blue Cross Blue Shield has suspended billings statewide. The Insurance Department plans to offer a grace period to insurance agents whose licenses and company appointments are set to expire. Bell said agents who live in Baldwin, Mobile and Washington counties are eligible, as are agents from coastal Mississippi and southeastern Louisiana who have nonresident licenses.
Posted - 9-7-05
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