NEW YORK, NY, September 15 — In the aftermath of the Hurricane Katrina, the U.S. insurance industry has established the Hurricane Insurance Information Center (HIIC) in Jackson, MS. Additional centers will be opened in other Gulf Coast locations as conditions permit.

The HIIC will act as a primary source of insurance information to the media and conduct an active consumer outreach program in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

A web site, www.disasterinformation.org, will offer claim filing tips, provide general information on insurance coverages and refer people to insurers, government agencies, and other sources of assistance.

“The insurance industry's overriding priority is helping the people of the Gulf Coast to recover from this devastating event,” said Gordon Stewart, president of the Insurance Information Institute, which is establishing the Center on behalf of the insurance industry.

The insurance industry has created similar disaster insurance information offices following major catastrophes, including Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the Northridge Earthquake in 1994, the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York City and last year's Florida hurricanes. The disaster offices provided insurance information to thousands of displaced homeowners and businesses in restoring communities.

The Hurricane Insurance Information Center will be located at the Independent Insurance Agents of Mississippi, 124 Riverview Drive, Flowood, MS 39232. The telephone number is 1-800-942-4242.

Companies and associations supporting the HIIC include:

ACE USA

Alabama Independent Insurance Agents

Allstate Insurance

American Insurance Association

American International Group

Atlantic Mutual

Chubb Group of Insurance Companies

CNA

Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers

Farmers Group, Inc.

Florida Association of Insurance Agents

Florida Insurance Council

GEICO

The Hartford

Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America

Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of LA

Independent Insurance Agents of MS

Institute for Business & Home Safety

Insurance Information Institute

Liberty Mutual

Lloyd's America

MetLife Auto & Home

National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies

National Association of Professional Insurance Agents

National Insurance Crime Bureau

Nationwide

Professional Insurance Agents of LA

Property Casualty Insurers Association of America

Republic Insurance Company

Safeco

St. Paul Travelers

State Farm Mutual Auto Insurance Co.

Swiss Re

USAA

Special Reports /

Hurricane Insurance Information Center Opens

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