Jan 22, 2013
Kudos to our industry's post-Sandy efforts
Agents and carriers alike have been working around the clock since Storm Sandy hit, assisting policyholders and settling claims. Given the magnitude and volume of the losses our industry is dealing with, our members face the frustrations of their clients, who want their claims settled yesterday-and for the largest possible amount.
We know, however, that there are many positive stories to be told and we intend to report on these to help remind us all why we should be proud to be professional independent insurance agents, representing the companies of the American Agency System.
PIANJ has asked carriers and agents to provide us with information on their "above-and-beyond" efforts, so that we can help to spread the word of how hard our industry has worked in its response to the disaster. Over the course of the next few months, we will recognize carriers who give us information on their efforts. In addition, PIA magazine will feature stories about the efforts of representative agents, who put the needs of their clients first despite their personal losses.
Plymouth Rock
Like most companies, Plymouth Rock had a well-tested disaster plan in place and issued pre-and post-storm communications to its agents and customers, providing disaster preparedness tips and post-storm safety and risk mitigation tips. Email, conference calls and social media were all used to communicate with agents. Special claims processes were enacted for the most severe claims, and for flooded vehicles. The company had more than 23,000 claims and, as of late January, closed more than 97 percent of those claims.
Assistance to affected clients was a top priority for the company: it contributed significantly to Sandy Relief funds; and on Dec. 1, the company held a Homeowner Resource Recovery Day in its Red Bank office, inviting policyholders to come for a hot meal and to talk with representatives of FEMA, SBA, United Way, local contractors, restoration companies, banks, real estate agents and more.
The company also announced it wouldnt increase policyholder premiums based on Sandy-related comprehensive auto claims: "Perhaps were biased being a New Jersey company and witnessing the devastation caused by Sandy firsthand, but we cant imagine adding insult to injury by charging customers a higher rate if they have submitted a Sandy-related comprehensive claim," said Gerry Wilson, president and CEO of Plymouth Rock Management Company of New Jersey. He encouraged other carriers to follow suit.
Your stories
PIA wants to hear from other companies and agents-what did you, your employees or your business do to help policyholders post-Sandy? We want to get the word out and remind NJ citizens of all the good that our industry is doing to help our state and our citizens recover.