WASHINGTON, D.C., October 1, 2010 – Although the United States has fared well this hurricane season, it’s important to know that the threat of hurricanes doesn’t officially end until November 30. And hurricanes may or may not respect that official date.
Already this season, there have been 16 tropical depressions, 6 of which have turned into named hurricanes. “Hurricane Earl was the greatest threat to the U.S. so far,” said Nancy Pierce, GEICO’s claims vice president, “and thankfully its strength broke up and its damage was minimal. But at the same time, the system that hit New York, while not officially a hurricane, certainly did its own share of serious damage.”
Pierce went on to say that GEICO is urging people to continue taking the necessary steps to protect their families and their property.
Here are a few things you can do to help minimize potential damage from a hurricane:
- Have an evacuation plan: make sure everyone in your family knows where to go and what to do in an emergency. And don’t forget essential items like non-perishable food, water, batteries, a radio, all necessary medicine/prescriptions and important documents.
- Hurricane-proof your home: install storm shutters and make sure all windows and doors are properly secured with the appropriate hinges and bolts.
- Know your valuables: keep a record of all valuable items in your home and how much they’re worth. In a worst-case scenario, this will come in handy when reporting claims with your insurance company.
- Know what your insurance covers: and know what your insurance does not cover. Do you need to purchase additional coverage? Do you need flood insurance? What about replacement cost coverage? These are all things to discuss with your insurer.
More information is also available at GEICO’s online Catastrophe Center with preparedness tips, links to other important hurricane information, weather updates, and immediate claims handling capabilities. If any damage does occur, policyholders can reach GEICO online at www.geico.com or via phone at 1-800-841-3000, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Additional information on what you can do to prepare your home and property for a hurricane is available at the Insurance Information Institute or the Property Casualty Insurers Association.
GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and is the third-largest private passenger auto insurance company in the United States. GEICO provides millions of auto insurance quotes to U.S. drivers annually. The company is pleased to serve more than 11 million private passenger customers and insures more than 18 million vehicles (auto & cycle).
GEICO's online service center helps policyholders take care of policy sales, policy changes, claims reporting and to print insurance ID cards.
GEICO also provides insurance quotes on motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), travel trailers and motorhomes (RVs). Coverage for boats, life, homes and apartments is written by non-affiliated insurance companies and is secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Commercial auto insurance and personal umbrella protection are also available.
For more information, go to www.geico.com.
