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Experts on Hand to Provide Perspective on U.S. and Caribbean ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Markets

INSURANCE INFORMATION INSTITUTE
Contact: Press Offices
New York: 212-346-5500; media@iii.org
Washington, D.C.: 202-833-1580

NEW YORK, August 17, 2007 - Reporters with questions regarding insurance and Hurricane Dean may contact the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Information Institute's press office at 212-346-5500 or 800-331-9146.

Hurricane Dean, the first hurricane of the Atlantic season, is expected to pass through the Caribbean and enter the Gulf of Mexico during the next few days. According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there is an 85 percent chance that the Atlantic and Caribbean in 2007 will see an above-average number of storms. The agency is expecting 13-16 named storms, with 7-9 becoming hurricanes this season.

Hurricane Katrina, the most expensive hurricane in U.S. history, caused $40.6 billion in insured losses in 2005.

For information on the Top 15 U.S. Hurricanes, go to the I.I.I. Facts and Statistics: Hurricanes.

The I.I.I. is a nonprofit, communications organization supported by the insurance industry.