The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America said the association's disaster relief fund is ready to help industry members suffering the effects of Hurricane Gustav in the South and other catastrophe events.

The assistance will come from the IIABA's Trusted Choice Disaster Relief Fund. It was established by the association's Educational Foundation to help those who have suffered losses due to natural or man-made disasters.

"An established permanent relief fund allows us to financially assist victims when and where a disaster strikes, rather than raising the funds after the fact as we did for 9-11 and Hurricane Katrina," said Bob Rusbuldt, president and chief executive officer of the IIABA.

Mr. Rusbuldt said IIAB encourages not only those affected by the recent storms in the Gulf, but also by the flooding in the Midwest, to apply for a grant.

The fund makes cash grants to those in the insurance industry, including IIABA members and their agency staffs, and others, to pay for immediate or ongoing financial needs when other funding sources (such as insurance and other grants) are not available.

The association said although better planning and disaster preparedness helped to lessen the damage from Hurricane Gustav, there are still more than two months left in the 2008 hurricane season, and those in the Midwest are still recovering from flooding earlier this summer.

"This fund is a great way to show our ongoing support as an industry for victims of disasters and to assist independent agents, industry colleagues and others during their greatest time of need," said Dave Evans, executive director of Trusted Choice.

Contributions to the fund, or grant applications, can be made at www.independentagent.com.

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IIABA's Trusted Choice Opens Cat Fund For Industry Victims

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