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September 11, 2008
HURRICANE IKE: Message from TCAIS Member Companies
Hurricane Ike Aims at Houston; Evacuations Called
September 11, 2008
Hurricane Ike tripled in size in the central Gulf of Mexico as it churned on a weekend collision course with the 5.6 million residents of the Houston area, where coastal communities prepared to evacuate. The system's strongest winds extend as far as 115 miles (185 kilometers) from the eye, up from 35 miles yesterday, the Miami- based National Hurricane Center said today. Ike's wind field is now larger than that of Katrina, the storm that devastated New Orleans in 2005, said Jeff Masters, the director of meteorology at private forecaster Weather Underground Inc.
Click here to track Ike’s progress.
In preparation for Hurricane Ike to make landfall in Texas, TCAIS member companies want to make sure affected homeowners have both the necessary information to ensure their safety as well as to help with the claims handling process once the storm has passed.
Pre-Storm Prep — Links to Important Preparedness and Safety Resources
Texas Department of Insurance Hurricane Ike Consumer Resource Page
National Hurricane Center Disaster Prevention Plans
American Insurance Association's Hurricane Resource Center
The Insurance Information Institute’s Hurricane Preparedness Tips
The Institute for Business & Home Safety's Disaster Safety.org
Post Storm Claims and Insurance Needs
Find Your Insurance Company
Policyholders with questions regarding their coverage for damage caused by a hurricane should call the number provided on their policies or contact their insurance agent. Those policyholders unable to get to their policies can contact special toll-free numbers set up by insurance companies. Specific information for TCAIS member companies is below. The Insurance Information Institute has a list of claim contact numbers for a number of insurance companies here. Keep in mind that due to high call volume in the wake of the hurricanes, it may take some time to get through on some numbers—please be patient.
Flood insurance policyholders who don’t know who their insurer or administrator is can contact the National Flood Insurance Program (888-379-9531; http://www.floodsmart.gov). The only information required is your name, the state where you live and your zip code.
Information provided by the Insurance Information Institute
TCAIS Member Company Claims Contact Information and Other Storm Resources
Allstate policyholders can begin the claim process by:
- Link to Allstate Claims Center
- Claim reporting availability online or by calling 1-800-ALLSTATE
Nationwide policyholders can begin the claim process by:
- Link to Nationwide's Online Catastrophe Center
- Call the Nationwide Claims Hotline (1-800-421-3535) or visit the online Claims Center
State Farm policyholders can begin the claim process by:
- Contact a State Farm agent by phone 1-800-SF-CLAIM (1-800-732-5246) or in person, if they are able
- Go to www.statefarm.com
- Hurricane preparation tips
- Information about what to do after the storm
USAA policyholders can begin the claims process by:
- Report a claim online at USAA.com
- If that option is not available, you can call the claims hotline at 1-800-531-USAA
Make a Difference!
You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Hurricanes of 2008, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. This Fund enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disasters. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Donations can be made online, by contacting 1-800-REDCROSS or by mail to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013.