Hurricane Season 2008: GMAC Insurance Reveals Tips to Protect Assets if a Hurricane Hits
Gumbo
Hurricane Hits
Copyright: PR Newswire
Source: PR Newswire
Wordcount: 988
ST. LOUIS, April 23 /PRNewswire/ -- As hurricane season approaches, GMAC
Insurance today revealed the top tips for drivers to keep themselves and
their assets secure before a storm heads their way. The company is arming
consumers with this information after finding survey results that indicate
an alarming number of people are not confident their possessions would be
protected if a hurricane strikes.
The GMAC Insurance survey, which polled 5,524 licensed Americans from all 50
states and the District of Columbia, reports that 42 percent of respondents
(nearly 85 million licensed drivers) do not feel confident that their assets
would be fully covered by their insurance companies in the event of a
hurricane. Regional findings show that drivers in the South and the West
were most likely to report lack of confidence; numbers were slightly lower
in the Midwest and the Northeast.
"Hurricanes can be truly devastating situations, so it's not surprising that
people want to make sure they're fully covered," said Gary Kusumi, CEO and
President, GMAC Insurance - Personal Lines. "It's our job as responsible
insurers to supply them with all the facts they need to make proper coverage
choices to keep their assets protected and avoid potential problems before a
storm even hits the radar."
This startling information comes in the wake of the most costly hurricane
ever: Hurricane Katrina. Approximately 1.75 million claims were filed in the
aftermath of the storm, totaling damages of 41.1 billion dollars, according
to the Insurance Information Institute. When a natural disaster has the
potential to affect so many lives, it's critical that people feel confident
in their insurance companies.
"Clearly, somewhere along the way, trust in the insurance company has been
lost," said Kusumi. "GMAC Insurance wants people to feel confident we have
their best interests in mind; we'll respond immediately to help them get
back on their feet and we'll continue that assistance for the long term.
Simply put, that's our job, but more importantly, it's the right thing to
do."
Below, GMAC Insurance provides tips to follow before the first sign of
trouble.
HOW TO EVACUATE SAFELY AND PROTECT YOUR VEHICLES IN A HURRICANE Before the
hurricane 1. Create a disaster supply kit and store it - along with
automotive essentials - in the car you'll use to evacuate. Be sure to
include: -- Jumper cables -- Flashlight and extra batteries -- Basic toolkit
AM/FM weather band radio -- Shovel for digging out if your
(battery-operated) car gets stuck -- Cell phone and charger -- Emergency
flares -- Camera (to take pictures of -- Rain gear / umbrella damage) --
Extra clothes -- Plastic garbage bags -- Blanket -- Tarp (to protect
damaged -- Bottled water property) -- Non-perishable food -- Cash (ATM's
don't work without -- Bug spray power) -- First-aid kit 2. Keep copies of
your auto registration, title and insurance papers in your car, and store
the originals in a safe, dry place. 3. Fill your car's gas tank so you're
able to drive a long distance without needing to stop. At the first warning
sign 4. Evacuate as soon as possible. If leaving by car: -- Go to your
destination immediately. Don't drive around to look at damage. -- Avoid
driving through standing water. If water is deeper than 10 inches, leave
your vehicle and head for high ground. -- Be aware of your surroundings.
Roads, bridges and water banks may be weak and could collapse. -- Steer
clear of low-hanging wires and anything touching them. -- Treat
intersections without working traffic lights as four-way stops. 5. Safeguard
the vehicles you're not using: -- Store your car in a garage or carport to
avoid falling trees and flying debris. -- If you have to leave your car
outside, move it to high ground and out of the path of possible falling
trees or structures. -- Move grills, patio furniture, trash cans, potted
plants, toys, bikes and other loose objects into your house or garage. Tie
down anything that you can't move indoors. 6. When the hurricane hits, stay
out of your car and go to a safe place. During the aftermath 7. Take
pictures of any damage. 8. If your engine was under water, don't start the
vehicle. Try to physically remove the water to begin drying it out. 9. Cover
your vehicle to prevent further damage until proper repairs can be made. 10.
Save all receipts for towing and repairs, so that you can be reimbursed for
your out-of-pocket expenses.
"While these tips may seem like common sense, it's easy to forget them when
you're in the midst of a disaster, so it's best to prepare yourself ahead of
time," said Kusumi. "And as always, be sure to put your personal safety -
and those of others - first, because possessions can always be replaced."
The GMAC Insurance survey was administered by TNS, a leading market
information resource and the world's largest provider of custom research and
analysis. TNS is also a leader in social and political polling and a top
supplier of consumer panel, media intelligence and Internet, and TV and
radio audience measurement services. The national sample was comprised of
5,524 total licensed respondents, aged 16-60+, balanced to the latest U.S.
Census data. For more information about TNS, please visit www.tns-us.com .
For more information about GMAC Insurance and to find a local independent
agent, call 877-468-3466 or visit www.gmacinsurance.com .
The GMAC Insurance Group is one of the largest automobile insurers in the
United States and is a wholly owned subsidiary of GMAC Financial Services.
GMAC Insurance Personal Lines offers a variety of property and casualty
products, including personal auto, RV, motorcycle, boat and commercial auto
insurance. With a nationwide network of claims professionals, local
independent agents and a 24-hour, toll-free claims hotline available 365
days a year, GMAC Insurance provides superior claims service for its
customers.
SOURCE GMAC Insurance
CONTACT: Katie Stiffler, GMAC Insurance, +1-617-248-0680, x19,
ksti...@cerconebrown.com
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