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WASHINGTON, DC (Dec. 11, 2012) – The post-Sandy recovery process is an effort by property insurers and reinsurers to help make policyholders and communities whole again, executives from the (IBHS) and the (I.I.I.) told members of Congress and staff on Monday.

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Debra Ballen, IBHS’ general counsel and senior vice president of public policy, explained IBHS’ focus is on rebuilding homes and businesses that are stronger and safer, and more resistant to the type of damage severe weather events, like Sandy, can cause.

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“As residents impacted by this terrible event begin to put their lives, homes and businesses back together, IBHS wants to help them incorporate measures to make their new structures more hurricane-resistant for the next storm,” Ms. Ballen said. “Because there will be a next storm.”

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Ms. Ballen outlined the top ten hazard mitigation and rebuilding lessons from Sandy, noting that strong, well-enforced building codes are effective in reducing property damage. In addition she said that disaster-resistant communities that are prepared for catastrophes will be much more resilient and able to recover faster after storms strike.

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Dr. Robert Hartwig, an economist and president of the I.I.I., said insurance companies will be providing billions of dollars in insurance claims payments to people whose homes, businesses, vehicles, and boats were damaged by the storm.��He noted that more than one million claims are being processed.

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“The damage caused by Sandy across a large portion of the most densely populated region of the country will likely make this storm the third costliest natural disaster in U.S. history,” Dr. Hartwig stated.��“The nation’s auto, home, and business insurers have the financial strength and human resources to disburse billions of dollars in Sandy-related claims to their policyholders as quickly as possible.”

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IBHS is an independent, nonprofit, scientific research and communications organization supported by the property insurance industry. The organization works to reduce the social and economic effects of natural disasters and other risks on residential and commercial property by conducting building science research and advocating improved construction, maintenance and preparedness practices. Visit for more information about how to make your buildings more resistant to a variety of disasters, large and small. Follow IBHS on Twitter at @DisasterSafety and on.

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The ̽����ѡ Information Institute’s (I.I.I.) mission is to improve public understanding of insurance—what it does and how it works. For more than 50 years, the New York City-based I.I.I. has provided definitive insurance information. Today, the nonprofit, insurance industry supported organization is recognized by the media, governments, regulatory organizations, universities, and the general public, as a primary source of information, analysis and referral concerning insurance. Visit for additional information about the I.I.I.