The two major independent insurance agent associations are calling on members to contribute money and assistance in the wake of devastation by Hurricane Katrina.
The Alexandria, Va.-based Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America has set up a relief fund, making the first donation of $10,000 to help colleagues in the devastated area.
For its part, the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents is asking members to offer temporary housing assistance to independent agents, coordinating the effort with it's affiliates in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
IIABA's chief executive officer, Robert A. Rusbuldt, said the association is trying to do all it can to help in establishing the Big "I" Katrina Relief Fund.
"In times of such hardship it is important that we band together as an industry, but more importantly, as Americans," Mr. Rusbuldt said in a statement. "We have received overwhelming inquiries from our members and state associations across the country looking for ways to help."
Thomas Grau, president of IIABA, announced the association's donation, adding that it is assisting in other ways as well.
"Our contributions are not limited to dollar amounts," he said. "We have sent hundreds of catastrophe packs to our member agencies that include the basics for agents to work and serve their clients."
He added the association has offered to send national staff to the devastated region to assist member agencies, "and we are working on several different methods to help our members handle claims as efficiently and as quickly as possible."
The Alexandria, Va.-based PIA said agents in the shattered region are setting up temporary facilities to help clients, but that some have suffered damage to their own homes. These agents and their families need a place to stay. The association is asking members to volunteer to host family members of agents in the impacted areas.
"Now is the time for all PIA members to come to the aid of their fellow agents," said Len Brevik, PIA executive vice president and chief executive officer. "Everybody knows that PIA members are local agents who help local people. We are asking members of the PIA Family to pull together to help their Gulf Coast colleagues who are working to assist their clients in this time of need."
PIA member agents in any part of the country who are interested in volunteering to accommodate families of agents in need of assistance are asked to fill out an online form on the PIA Web site at www.pianet.com/KatrianVolunteer.htm
Checks for contribution to the IIABA fund should be made payable to "Big 'I' Katrina Relief Fund" and mailed to: Big "I" Katrina Relief Fund, c/o InsurBanc, 10 Executive Drive, Farmington, CT, 06032.
Donations can also be made online with a credit card through the Big "I" Katrina Relief Fund site on the InsurBanc Web site at www.insurbanc.com.
Donations to the fund are tax-deductible charitable contributions.
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