探花精选

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NEW YORK, Sept. 18, 2004 - About one out of every five Florida homes has been damaged by a hurricane so far this year, according to the 探花精选 Information Institute.

The insurance industry likely will pay out more than the $15 billion in insurance claims which resulted from Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the I.I.I. reported. The I.I.I. also expects the total number of claims will exceed one million, surpassing the 700,000 claims filed for Hurricane Andrew and setting a new record for the number of claims in such a short span of time.

The I.I.I. stressed that while the insurance industry has sufficient financial resources to pay the claims, the historic one-two-three punch of Hurricanes Ivan, Frances and Charley will make the claims handling process in Florida more difficult

"Ivan, Charley and Frances together do not pose a solvency-threatening event to the industry," said Robert Hartwig, chief economist of the I.I.I. "However, the unprecedented challenges created by the multiple hurricanes understandably will strain resources and cause some delays that would not normally occur."

The industry will be working hard in the face of the same obstacles faced by its customers - lack of power, phone service and access to properties in some severely damaged areas, Hartwig observed.

An estimated 15,000 insurance company claims adjusters from across the United States and Canada are now in Florida to speed the claims settlement process. Additional adjusters are in Alabama and other affected areas.

Hartwig noted that adjusters necessarily will be prioritizing their visits by severity of damage, calling at the most seriously damaged properties first and getting to less damaged locations later.

The company claims adjusters will write checks to pay the costs of temporary housing for people whose property was damaged by the storm and to begin the rebuilding of damaged homes and businesses.

Some companies also will be opening emergency claims centers to assist their policyholders. Policyholders should contact their agents or call toll-free emergency claims numbers. Customers who have left their homes should tell their insurance agent or company representative how they can be reached.

The following tips from I.I.I. will help assist hurricane victims with 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.

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