National May 24, 2013

Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 26, PIA offers educational tools

According to a press release issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: "For the six-month hurricane season, which begins June 1, NOAAs Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook says there is a 70 percent likelihood of 13 to 20 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 7 to 11 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher)."

May 26-June 1, is National Hurricane Preparedness Week. You can help your clients prepare.

PIA offers resources to help educate your clients about flooding and other weather-related disasters now. Consider Tweeting, posting on your website or sending your customers the consumer flier, Flood damage: Is my home covered?, which answers some important questions regarding flood insurance and encourages them to call your office for coverage, or Replacement cost coverage: A wise investment. These consumer fliers are part of PIAs Agency Marketing Tool Kit.

PIA Creative Services also offers a self-mailing brochure (complete with consumer tips and a business reply card for cross-selling opportunities), a related oversized postcard and a personal-lines exposures survey, which PIA Creative Services can personalize with your logo and contact information. These materials have been updated recently since Storm Sandy struck the Northeast. Also check out the property-loss checklist brochure. To order any of these products, call PIAs Creative Services Department at (800) 424-4244 or email snewkirk@pia.org. For more flood insurance resources, visit PIAs Flood Insurance Tool Kit. And dont forget, if a storm hits your area, check out PIAs award-winning Storm Info Central.

PIA also offers a number of QuickSource documents that offer information about hurricanes and other types of storms:

Hurricane and flood-related QuickSource documents

QS90117-Agency preparedness and recovery plan (disaster manual)A how-to for developing an action plan for your agency in the event of a catastrophe.

QS90452-Disaster planning and recoveryOffers information on catastrophes your business may face that aren't the ordinary hurricane windstorm type, and gives you the information you need to assess your risk and prepare for such events to ensure proper business continuation during and after such an event.

QS90592-Get ready for hurricane season A handy reference including information on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale and other hurricane-related references.

QS90191-Hurricane fact sheetThis resource kit will give you the information you need to be prepared before, during and after a hurricane hits.

QS90190-Top 10 insurance tips for hurricane seasonSuggested responses to consumer questions following a natural disaster regarding the claim process and what to expect.

QS90526-My property is wet, it must be a floodThis PIA QuickSource document discusses the problems providing coverage for water damage that can arise even when combining a homeowners policy and a flood insurance policy.

QS90614-Flood insurance frequently asked questions
Some of the common, and not so common, questions raised about the NFIP.

QS90584-Flood insurance checklist
A comprehensive checklist to assist you with reviewing your clients flood-related insurance exposures.

QS90554-NFIP Community Rating System-what it could mean for your insureds An overview of the NFIP Community Rating System and how independent agents can play an active role in getting their communities to participate.

QS90089-Spoiled goods coverage
A "how to" to ensure that your commercial clients (deli, baker, florist, etc.) receive the necessary coverage for goods spoilage.