CNA Provides Five Tips To Minimize Flooding Risks

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Mar 24, 2015, 12:28 ET

CHICAGO, March 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- CNA today unveiled the "Thaw Edition" of the company's Polar Prep winter weather preparedness campaign. The Thaw Edition addresses ways businesses can prepare for potential property exposures that arise during months when flooding is more common. This effort is in conjunction with Ready.Gov, the National Weather Service and many other governmental organizations that identify March as a time to recognize the importance of severe weather preparation, specifically a time for flood safety awareness.

"In addition to the threat of floods that occur when severe weather hits, snow and ice have been piling up in many areas of the U.S. this winter," said Bill Boyd, senior vice president, Risk Control. "When temperatures rapidly increase, so does the rate at which snow and ice melt, which can be a serious problem for customers who were heavily affected this winter. As spring temperatures begin to rise, it's imperative for businesses to create emergency plans for flooding, which could cause costly property damage or disrupt operations."

With proper preparation, businesses across the country can mitigate the flood risks that result from spring showers, swelling rivers and the melting of accumulated snow. While flooding is commonly defined as the rise and overflow of a body of water that covers land not usually under water, CNA encourages its customers to check the specific wording and coverages regarding flood and flood coverage in their insurance policy.

CNA Risk Control provides five key tips for businesses to minimize loss during the thawing season:

TIP 1: Create a flood preparation plan.

TIP 2: Keep water out with barriers, sandbags and other devices.

TIP 3: Relocate materials from lower levels. In some cases, this may simply mean placing stored items on one or two pallets, or moving items from lower shelves or racks to upper levels.

TIP 4: Review shutdown procedures for affected processes, especially hazardous processes.

TIP 5: Check to make sure drainage, including roof drains, are open and flowing freely.

Additional information on emergency preparedness resources and the five tips above, including CNA's Polar Prep Thaw Edition tools, checklists and bulletins, can be found at www.cna.com/actnow. In addition, CNA customers can call the Risk Control toll-free line at 866-262-0540, or contact their local agent to discuss these tips and more.

Serving businesses and professionals since 1897, CNA is the country's seventh largest commercial insurance writer and the 13th largest property and casualty company. CNA's insurance products include standard commercial lines, specialty lines, surety, marine and other property and casualty coverages. CNA's services include risk management, information services, underwriting, risk control and claims administration. For more information, please visit CNA at www.cna.com. "CNA" is a service mark registered by CNA Financial Corporation with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Certain CNA Financial Corporation subsidiaries use the "CNA" service mark in connection with insurance underwriting and claims activities.

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Brandon Davis, 312-822-5167
Sarah Pang, 312-822-6394

SOURCE CNA Financial