Wind Damage Caused By Hurricane Isaac Covered By Standard Home And Business Insurance Policies

I.I.I. Has Resources and Experts on Hurricanes, Insurance Coverage

NEW YORK, Aug. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Reporters covering Hurricane Isaac are encouraged to contact the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).

The I.I.I. has insurance experts who can discuss the economic ramifications of the storm, answer coverage questions and describe how the claims process works.

There is also a wealth of information on insurance and hurricanes on the I.I.I. website, including hurricane facts and statistics, flood insurance facts and statistics and catastrophes and insurance issues.

Wind damage from both tropical storms and hurricanes is covered under standard homeowners and renters insurance policies. This includes damage to both the structure of the home and personal possessions. Ninety-seven percent of homeowners have homeowners insurance but only 29 percent of renters have renters insurance.

Flood damage is generally not covered under standard homeowners and renters insurance policies. Flood coverage is available both from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and some private insurance companies. Flood insurance covers losses resulting from heavy or prolonged rain, coastal storm surge and failure of levees or dams. The NFIP provides coverage for up to $250,000 for the structure of the home and $100,000 for personal possessions. Excess flood insurance is also available from some private insurers if you need additional insurance protection over and above the basic NFIP policy.

While flood insurance for homeowners and renters is available, only 13 percent of Americans nationwide purchase this coverage, according to survey by the I.I.I. The number of flood insurance policies increased in Louisiana and Mississippi after 2005's Hurricane Katrina but then declined in subsequent years while the number of flood insurance policies rose in Alabama post-Katrina and continued to rise over the following years.

Damage to cars from wind and flooding is covered under the comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy; it is an optional coverage, although more than 75 percent of all Americans choose to purchase it.

RELATED LINKS

• Alabama Hurricane Insurance: Fact File
• Louisiana Hurricane Insurance: Fact File
• Mississippi Hurricane Insurance: Fact File
• Residual Markets White Paper

THE I.I.I. IS A NONPROFIT, COMMUNICATIONS ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED BY THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY.

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SOURCE Insurance Information Institute

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