WASHINGTON, May 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- With the 2020
Atlantic Hurricane Season approaching, the American Property
Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), the Insurance Institute for
Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and the Travelers Institute, the
public policy division of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:
TRV), are teaming up to offer hurricane preparedness resources.
May 3 marked the beginning of
National Hurricane Preparedness Week – a critical time to ensure
your property is equipped to withstand upcoming hurricanes.
"Getting ready for hurricane season in the midst of a pandemic
is an unprecedented situation for the insurance industry and its
policyholders," said Jessica Hanna,
senior vice president of public affairs for APCIA. "APCIA, IBHS and
the Travelers Institute are combining resources to help residents
in hurricane-prone states protect their homes, businesses, and
families."
Hurricane season begins on June 1,
and experts at Colorado State
University predict 16 named tropical storms this year. Of
the 16 storms, eight are expected to become hurricanes, with four
of those reaching major hurricane status. With the trend of
increasingly powerful hurricanes making landfall in recent years,
residents and businesses in both coastal and inland states should
begin preparations now, including developing continuity plans for
businesses and contingency plans for individuals and families.
Exterior readiness
Make sure your roof is ready for hurricane season. Inspect your
roof for loose and/or damaged shingles, and apply roofing cement to
secure shingles and keep water out. Next time you reroof, consider
a FORTIFIED Roof™ that includes upgraded materials and
additional installation guidelines for extra protection from wind
and rain.
"Strengthening your property against hurricanes and high winds
starts with simple tasks," said Dr. Anne
Cope, chief engineer at IBHS. "IBHS translates top-tier
scientific research into actionable and affordable weekend
projects, like caulking your windows or scheduling a roof
inspection."
IBHS researchers have also found that a strong garage door can
be key to reducing damage from hurricanes. Look for a
manufacturer's wind label to know if your door is ready to handle
high winds.
Know what you own
In addition to reinforcing the exterior of the property,
consumers need to protect the items inside by making a detailed
home inventory. Business owners can follow similar steps to
document contents, including office furniture, equipment and
product inventory. If your property is damaged in a hurricane or
other weather-related disaster, having a record of your contents
can make filing an insurance claim easier and faster.
"We know that preparation is one of the most powerful tools to
help protect against the damage that can be caused by a major
catastrophic event," said Joan
Woodward, President of the Travelers Institute and Executive
Vice President of Public Policy at Travelers. "With technology and
mobile apps, it's easier than ever to go through each room and take
photos and videos of your belongings."
Responding the right way
Through virtual inspection solutions and emergency continuity
plans, insurers are prepared to handle claims and continue
providing services when disaster strikes. For instance, innovative
technologies like drones and geospatial tools enable claim
adjusters to view damaged property remotely and see
before-and-after aerial images of affected areas.
"Digital tools are helping insurers evaluate and pay claims
faster," added Hanna. "As parts of the country continue to practice
social distancing, these technologies are also keeping
customers and insurance professionals safer by reducing or
eliminating the need for in-person interactions."
For more tips and information, please visit IBHS's Hurricane
Ready Guide and the Travelers Emergency Preparedness webpage.
About the American Property Casualty Insurance Association
(APCIA)
The American Property Casualty Insurance
Association (APCIA) is the primary national trade association for
home, auto, and business insurers. APCIA promotes and protects the
viability of private competition for the benefit of consumers and
insurers, with a legacy dating back 150 years. APCIA members
represent all sizes, structures, and regions—protecting families,
communities, and businesses in the U.S. and across the globe.
About the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
(IBHS)
The IBHS mission is to conduct objective,
scientific research to identify and promote effective actions that
strengthen homes, businesses and communities against natural
disasters and other causes of loss. Learn more about IBHS
at DisasterSafety.org.
About the Travelers Institute
The Travelers Institute, the public policy division of The
Travelers Companies, Inc., engages in discussion and analysis of
public policy topics of importance to the insurance marketplace and
to the financial services industry more broadly. The Travelers
Institute draws upon the industry expertise of Travelers' senior
management as well as the technical expertise of many of Travelers'
underwriters, risk managers and other experts to provide
information, analysis and solutions to public policymakers and
regulators. Travelers is a leading provider of property casualty
insurance for auto, home and business. For more
information, visit www.travelers.com.
View original
content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/apcia-ibhs-and-travelers-institute-team-up-to-provide-hurricane-preparedness-tips-and-resources-301052500.html
SOURCE Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
(IBHS)