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Contact: Press Offices
New York: 212-346-5500; media@iii.org
Wash. D.C.: 202-833-1580
Florida: 617-510-5243

NEW YORK, August 16, 2004 - Thousands of insurance company claims adjusters from across the country are in Florida to speed the claims settlement process, according to the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Information Institute (I.I.I.).

The company claims adjusters, many equipped with laptop computers and portable telephones, are now writing checks to pay the costs of temporary housing for people left homeless by the storm and to begin the rebuilding of damaged homes and businesses.

The ability to report a claim is difficult in many of the most severely damaged areas where there is no phone service or electric power and residents and claims adjusters have not yet been permitted by civil authorities to enter and assess damage.
Some companies will be opening special claims centers to assist their policyholders. Policyholders should contact their agents or call toll-free emergency claims numbers

The company adjusters from out of state will reinforce the hundreds of company adjusters normally in Florida.

If your property was damaged, the following tips from I.I.I. will help assist the claims process:

• Be prepared to give your agent or insurance representative a description of your damage. Your agent will report the loss immediately to your insurance company or to a qualified adjuster who will contact you as soon as possible to inspect the damage. Be sure to give your agent a telephone number where you can be reached.
• Take photos of the damaged areas. These will help with your claims process and will assist the adjuster in the investigation.
• Prepare a detailed inventory of all damaged or destroyed personal property. Be sure to 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.
• Collect cancelled 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, damaged roofs and walls to prevent further destruction. Save receipts for supplies and materials you purchase. Your insurance company will reimburse you for reasonable expenses in making temporary repairs.
• Secure a detailed estimate for permanent repairs to your home from a reliable contractor and give it to the adjuster. The estimate should contain the proposed repairs, repair costs and replacement prices.

Serious Losses Will Be Given Priority. Even with many additional adjusters, it will take time to process the thousands of damage claims being filed. If your home has been destroyed or seriously damaged, your agent will do everything possible to assure you are given priority.

The ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Information Institute has also prepared a free brochure, Settling An ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Claim After A Disaster. Consumers can get a copy by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Information Institute, 110 William Street, New York, NY, 10038 or by accessing I.I.I.'s web site at .

The following insurance companies have set up 800 hotlines for those insureds displaced by Hurricane Charley.

Acuity - 800-242-7666
Allstate - 800-54-STORM (800-547-8676)
American Skyline ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Co. - 888-298-5224
American International Group - 800-433-8880 (auto & home)
Atlantic Mutual - 800-945-7461
Bituminous - 800-822-2905 (Florida)
Church Mutual - 800-554-2642
Citizens Property ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Corp. - 888-685-1555
CHUBB - 800-CLAIMS-0 (800-252-4670)
CNA - 877-733-4250
CUNA Mutual - 800-637-2676
Erie ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Group - 800-367-3743
Farmers - 800-435-7764
Fireman's Fund - 888-FIREHAT (888-347-3428)
GE Employers Re - 866-413-8978
GEICO - 800-841-3005
The Hartford - 800-243-5860
Holyoke Mutual - 800-225-2533
Industrial Risk Insurers - 860-520-7347 (commercial claims)
Liberty Mutual - 800-2CLAIMS (800-225-2467)
Louisiana Farm Bureau - 866-275-7322
Mercury ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Group - 800-987-6000
Metropolitan Auto & Home - 800-854-6011
Nationwide - 800-421-3535
OneBeacon - 877-248-4968
Royal & Sun Alliance - 800-847-6925
SAFECO - 800-332-3226
Selective - 866-455-9969
Shelter ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Group - 800-SHELTER
St. Paul Travelers - 800-CLAIM33 (800-252-4633)
State Farm ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ - 800-SF-CLAIM (800-732-5246)
Texas Farm Bureau - 800-772-6535
USAA - 800-531-8222
Zurich - 800-987-3373

For more information on Hurricane Charley, please visit:
/media/hottopics/additional/florida/