Alexandria, Va, Aug. 24, 2010 –The five year anniversary of the Hurricane Katrina disaster is approaching while the nation still assesses the aftermath of the BP oil spill in the Gulf region. Trusted Choice® independent insurance agents can discuss how the business and homeowners climate have changed in the wake of these disasters and how prepared the area is for future catastrophes. Additionally, they can outline what consumers need to know about dealing with unpredictable storms and the impact of the oil spill.
The following Trusted Choice® independent insurance agents are in the Gulf region and experienced first-hand the detriment of Hurricane Katrina, the gulf oil spill and other disasters in the area. Collectively, they handled tens of thousands of claims associated with these disasters.
Don Beery or Tommy McMahon
Eustis Insurance & Benefits
New Orleans, La.
(504) 586-0440
Randy Lanoix
Lanoix Insurance Agency
Lutcher, La.
(225) 869-5438
Cindy Lirette
USI Insurance Services
Houma, La.
(985) 274-0061
Dave Treutel or Angelyn Treutel
Treutel Insurance Agency, Inc.
Bay St. Louis, Miss. and Mobile, Ala.
(228) 467-5662
A recent national survey by Trusted Choice® and the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) found that most Americans are not fully prepared in the event of a natural disaster. Of all survey respondents, less than 22% said they felt they are fully prepared in case of a disaster. More than half of respondents (51%) admitted they are only somewhat prepared, and more than a fifth of households (22.7%) reported that they were not prepared at all.
“Even with all the national attention after Hurricane Katrina, five years later millions of Americans still have not taken even some of the most basic steps to prepare for the potentially devastating impact of a major disaster,” says Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO.
For additional survey results and tips on hurricanes, flooding, disaster preparedness planning, click HERE.
To interview a national spokesperson or a local Trusted Choice® insurance agent in another area, contact Sue Nester (susan.nester@iiaba.net) Big “I” broadcast media director at (703) 706-5448. Print journalists should contact Margarita Tapia (margarita.tapia@iiaba.net) Big “I” director of public affairs at (703) 706-5473.
Trusted Choice® educates consumers about the benefits of using independent agents and brokers for their insurance needs: choice of companies, customized policies and advocacy support. Trusted Choice® is the consumer marketing identity for approximately 10,000 independent insurance agencies and brokerage firms and 54 leading insurance companies. For more information, go to www.TrustedChoice.com.
Founded in 1896, the Big “I” is the nation’s oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing a network of more than 300,000 agents, brokers and their employees nationally. Its members are businesses that offer customers a choice of policies from a variety of insurance companies. Independent agents and brokers offer all lines of insurance—property, casualty, life, health, employee benefit plans and retirement products. Web address: www.independentagent.com.
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