How are insurance catastrophe teams mobilized?

Stone of Travelers claims, "When we put our team together, we think about the worst-case scenario. It's already to deploy: all the phones, computers, fax machines, office supplies, coffee makers - everything we need to set up a physical storm-location office.'

Jane O'Neill of Nationwide claims, "Nationwide Insurance, the country's fourth largest homeowners insurer, maintains a national catastrophe team that is able to respond to disasters quickly. The team, which includes managers and claims representatives, is dispatched to the location to handle claims, organized local and home office catastrophe response, and set p centers within the affected operation.'

O'Neill claims, "Nationwide prides itself on outstanding customer service, and we have found that having a team solely dedicated to catastrophes has significantly increased our response time after a disaster, while causing less disruption to normal claims handling.'

She said, "Starting back in 1989 when Hurricane Hugo pounded the Carolinas, Nationwide claims teams have distinguished themselves from the industry with their outstanding claims catastrophe claims.'

It is important for insurance companies to make sure that their policyholders know the company is available at the catastrophe site. To spread the word, they typically advertise on newspapers and radios.

As a matter of fact, Travelers rented an airplane that pulled a banner advertising the company's location after Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

Affiliated insurance agencies will also be directed and companies will advice them where to direct them.

Members of the media are invited by Nationwide Insurance to travel with their disaster teams in hopes of spreading the news of the company's whereabouts and how policyholders can begin the claims-making process.

Many large companies might advertise their toll-free claims hotlines, as well.

Getting the word to policyholders is very important when dealing with insurance catastrophe teams. In order to spread the word to policyholders, they do things for policyholders to give information.

If you have any more questions about how insurance catastrophe teams are mobilized, you can always contact your insurance agent and find out. The more information you know the better.