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Department of Insurance Issues Very Early Damage Estimates

Commissioner of Insurance Robert Wooley says preliminary estimates by one hurricane modeling company suggests insured damages from Hurricane Katrina could reach as high as $19 billion in Louisiana alone. 

According to Applied Insurance Research Worldwide Corporation (AIR), total insured losses from Katrina could top $26 billion nationwide. However, Commissioner Wooley cautions that these figures are very early estimates and will be revised as more information becomes available.  More than half of these losses are expected to be to residential properties covered by homeowners insurance, according to Wooley.

Commissioner Wooley says consumers with insurance-related questions should call their agent or their insurance company, or the phone number on their insurance policy.  If you have trouble reaching your insurance company or agent, contact the Louisiana Department of Insurance statewide at 1-800-259-5300 or 225-342-5900 in Baton Rouge.

The Commissioner also warns consumers to be cautious about contracting with anyone for storm damage repair work.  "Check out any contractor or repair person before doing business with them," Commissioner Wooley urges.  "Also, take pictures of any of your damaged property, including the contents of your home.  Do not throw any damaged items away until your adjuster has seen them."

Commissioner Wooley adds that several insurance companies have contacted him to let him know that their catastrophe teams are on standby.  State Farm asks their customers to call their agent first.  State Farm also has a toll-free number for customers: 1-800-SFClaim.  Help is also available on their Web site at www.statefarm.com.  Allstate says call your agent or 1-800-54 STORM, or visit their Web site at www.allstate.com. 

Photos
(Courtesy Louisiana Insurance Department)

Amy Whittington
Assistant Commissioner of Public Affairs
Louisiana Department of Insurance
(225) 342-5423

Bobby Ann Clark
Director of Public Information
(225) 342 9892

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Louisiana, Mississippi Evacuees Can Call Alabama Department of Insurance for Assistance

Those who have evacuated Hurricane Katrina-stricken areas and found themselves in Alabama can call the Alabama Department of Insurance if they have questions regarding their insurance policies and how to file claims, Commissioner Walter A. Bell said. The Department can be contacted at 800-433-3966 or 334-269-3550 for general insurance-related questions. If you are able to get online, the Department’s web site is located at www.aldoi.gov. Under the “Hurricane Claims Info, ” there is a list of dozens of insurance companies’ claims hotlines. For those who desire to contact their home state’s Insurance Departments, here are the numbers. Louisiana Department of Insurance 225-342-5900 Mississippi Department of Insurance 601-359-2453 “We are delighted to provide this service to our friends and neighbors from Louisiana and Mississippi, ” Commissioner Bell said. “We will provide Louisiana and Mississippi resident all the help we can muster.”

Here is a link to a list of insurance companies’ claims hotlines.