Within hours of Hurricane Sandy touching down on Oct. 29, Assurant Specialty Property began dispatching claims teams, even calling thousands of customers before they even called in. This was the beginning of the catastrophe response that lasted for weeks.
Industry damage is estimated into the tens of billions of dollars. Thousands of damage claims are logged and crews continue to put in seven-day work weeks in an effort to assess damages and make payment arrangements.
“This is what our people plan for and train for,” said Gene Mergelmeyer, president and chief executive officer of Assurant Specialty Property. “In a very real sense, this is why we and any other insurance company are here: to assess damages and pay claims when people need us.”
According to experts at Assurance Specialty Property, there are valuable lessons that Sandy offers for homeowners.
Experts suggest that homeowners, specifically those who live in a low-lying area, consider flood insurance as standard property insurance policies may not cover flooding. Also, it is important to keep a copy of insurance information somewhere other than a house or car in the case of an evacuation. Finally, making sure your belongings are insured and covered as much as necessary is crucial.
By taking these precautions, homeowners face a better chance of being prepared when disaster strikes again.
