̽»¨¾«Ñ¡

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

NEW YORK, May 23, 2006-Residents displaced by last year's hurricanes need to make sure they have proper and adequate insurance protection on the personal possessions they retained from their storm-damaged homes or any new possessions they have purchased since the storm, according to the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Information Institute (I.I.I.).

Thousands of people affected by last year's catastrophic storms are living in trailers, rented homes and apartments, or with friends or relatives in different parts of the state and even in different parts of the country.

The I.I.I. advises displaced people whose homes were damaged or destroyed last year to speak with their insurance agent or company representative to make sure they have the right kind and the right amount of coverage to properly insure any personal property they have with them.

People who are living in trailers or rented homes and apartments and have not renewed their homeowners insurance, should make sure they have a tenants or renters insurance policy that covers their contents. These policies also provide liability protection in case a lawsuit is brought against them as a result of an accident or injury that occurs in their trailer, apartment, rental home or even on their storm-damaged property.

Those living with a relative may be covered under that relative's homeowners insurance policy, thus providing protection for the displaced person's personal property (though probably not for liability protection). Those living with friends may not be covered under that friend's homeowners insurance policy. Check with your insurance agent or company representative as policies vary company by company.

People who have continued to keep their homeowners insurance policy in force may have adequate protection for their personal property during the time they are rebuilding or repairing their storm-damaged homes. Homeowners insurance will also protect the home from fire, vandalism or further damage from this year's hurricane season.

The Institute also advises that people who are concerned about flood damage to their personal possessions can purchase contents-only coverage under the National Flood ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Program. Information on flood insurance is available on the Internet at , by calling the NFIP at 1-800-379-9531 or by contacting their insurance agent or insurance company representative.

For more information on insurance and preparing for the 2006 hurricane season, go to the I.I.I.'s Web site at .

The I.I.I. is a nonprofit communications organization supported by the property/casualty insurance industry.