Peerless Insurance Urges Customers to Prepare for Disasters |
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Written by U. S. Insurance News
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Monday, 30 June 2008 |
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Severe weather has made a mess of much of the Midwest this year, but the effects are being felt all over the country.
In the wake of a record tornado and flood season in the middle of the
country, New Hampshire-based Peerless Insurance is warning its
customers in the northeast to take precautions for the possibility of
natural disasters too.
Peerless is offering a free Disaster Planning Guide to consumers through its Web site. The guide helps homeowners develop a plan for evacuation, lists the necessities they should include in an emergency kit, and states the importance of undertaking a household inventory.
In addition to those safety tips, Peerless wants consumers to understand the importance of having sufficient insurance coverage. A recent survey by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners found that 28 percent of those polled were not sure whether they purchased replacement cost or actual cash value coverage. Further, a majority said that they do not have coverage to protect them from losses that aren’t reimbursable under standard homeowner policies, such as earthquakes and floods.
“We recommend that our customers review their policies and coverages with their agents yearly,” said Victor Pepin, vice president for Personal Lines. “Policyholders in disaster-prone areas are especially encouraged to understand the extent of their coverage and to take precautions that will help protect themselves and their properties in the face of severe weather.”
The necessity for preparation and adequate coverage isn’t limited to homeowners. According to the Institute for Business and Home Safety®(IBHS), at least one-fourth of all businesses never reopen following a disaster.
Thus, Peerless has made available to its commercial customers and appointed agencies Open for BusinessSM, an online tool developed by the IBHS that allows businesses to plan for and recover from natural disasters.
“Because small businesses don’t usually have the capabilities for in-house risk assessment and developing extensive recovery plans, they are more susceptible to sudden or lengthy interruptions from a catastrophe,” explained Cynthia Mehrtens, vice president for Field Claims Operations. “Open for Business is an effective solution that guides small businesses prior to, during, and after a disaster, offering protection for policyholders, their assets, and guidelines for a quick recovery.”
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