NU Online News Service, Jan. 18, 3:22 p.m.EST

Responding to the earthquake in Haiti, insurance industry firmsare arranging to provide the devastated nation with millions infinancial aid from their companies and employees.

Among those making announcements of plans to donate to therelief effort have been several major insurers and at least onebroker.

Payments for property and casualty claims in Haiti by insurerswere expected to be limited since insurance coverage in thatimpoverished nation is reported to be minimal.

On Friday, Northbrook, Ill.-based insurer Allstate said itsAllstate Foundation made a donation of $50,000 to the American RedCross. The foundation will also match employee contributions up toan additional $50,000 for a total commitment of $100,000.

In partnership with the American Red Cross, the foundation setup a Web site for employees and agency owners to give to the reliefeffort at http://american.redcross.org/allstate-emp.

Chicago-based insurance broker Aon Corp. also announced it wasmaking a $100,000 donation to the Red Cross Haiti Relief andDevelopment efforts and would match up to an additional $300,000 incontributions from its colleagues around the world.

Also on Friday, Warren, N.J.-based insurer Chubb said it wouldhead up a $500,000 donation effort, contributing $125,000 toDoctors Without Borders and the same amount to Share OurStrength.

Through the weekend and today, the P&C industry hascontinued its generosity.

On Sunday, Bala Cynwyd, Pa.-based Philadelphia InsuranceCompanies Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer JamieMaguire presented the American Red Cross with a $50,000 donation,teaming up with local Philadelphia television station CBS for"Operation Brotherly Love Help for Haiti."

Today, Zurich Financial Services Group said its Z ZurichFoundation would match up to Swiss Franc 250,000 (U.S. $243,926 atthe current exchange rate) in charitable contributions made byZurich employees to recognized charitable organizations.

The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation called on theindustry to lend help to two organizations it recently supportedwith grants for their humanitarian efforts.

The IICF said the International Rescue Committee, with 75 yearsof expertise in emergency response, and World Cares Center, whichsupports local groups, are in need of funds to support the reliefeffort in Haiti.

"As an industry foundation, we can marshal our resources andmake a difference through outstanding organizations like theInternational Rescue Committee and World Cares Center. IICF isencouraging our member companies to give as generously as they canto IRC, World Cares Center, or to other reputable relieforganizations," said Elizabeth Myatt, New York executive directorof the IICF.

Contributions can be made to IRC at www.theirc.org/donate/donatenow-haitiand to World Cares Center atworldcares.org/content/donate-world-cares-center.

The IICF is also asking to be informed of industry giving bycontacting it through e-mail at [email protected].

Among the largest insurer contributions to the relief effort inHaiti announced last week was by a non-P&C company.

According to NU Online Life & Health edition,Thrivent Financial for Lutherans in Minneapolis, Minn., said itwould contribute up to $1 million in a matching gifts program thatit hopes will raise a total of $3 million (http://tinyurl.com/ydtnwpr).

Today, New York Life Insurance Co. said it would donate $100,000and donate up to an additional $150,000 in matching contributionsby employees and agents.