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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New York Press Office: (212) 346-5500; media@iii.org

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NEW YORK, October 2, 2015 — Reporters covering Joaquin’s northward path in the Atlantic Ocean can contact the (I.I.I.) with questions about how auto, business, flood and homeowners insurance policies cover storm-caused damage.

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“Even if Joaquin remains offshore, strong onshore winds associated with a frontal system will create minor to moderate coastal flooding along parts of the East Coast,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) , on its website this morning.

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Wind damage from tropical storms and hurricanes is covered under standard homeowners, renters and business insurance policies. Flood damage is excluded under standard policies; flood coverage is available, however, from and from a few private insurance companies.

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Damage to cars from tropical storms and hurricanes is covered under the optional comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy. This includes wind damage, flooding and even falling objects such as tree limbs.

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Tropical storms and hurricanes accounted for 41 percent of total U.S. insured catastrophe losses between 1995 and 2014, followed by tornadoes (39 percent), winter storms (7 percent), terrorism (6 percent), wind/hail/flood (5 percent) and fire (2 percent). The Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1 and concludes on November 30. Seven of the 10 costliest hurricanes in U.S. history, as defined by insured catastrophe losses, have occurred in either September or October.

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The property/casualty (P/C) insurance industry entered the 2015 hurricane season with near-record claims paying capital on-hand. The combined capacity of all P/C insurers operating in the United States was $671.7 billion as of March 31, 2015, .��

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The following I.I.I. staff will be available via cellphone and email this weekend (October 3–4) to answer questions and provide interviews:

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Dr. Robert Hartwig

President of the I.I.I. and economist: 917-453-1885; bobh@iii.org

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Michael Barry

Vice President, Media Relations: 917-923-8245; michaelb@iii.org

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Lynne McChristian (Florida)

Florida Media Representative: 813-480-6446; lynnem@iii.org

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Elianne González (Florida)

Hispanic Press Officer: 954-684-4410; elianneg@iii.org

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Bill Davis (Georgia)

Southeastern Media Representative: 770-331-9279; billjoe@bellsouth.net

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Jeanne Salvatore

Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, and Chief Communications Officer: 917-612-4088; jeannes@iii.org

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Loretta Worters

Vice President, Communications: 917-620-0982; lorettaw@iii.org

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RELATED LINKS

• Issues Update: ; ;

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• Facts and Statistics: ;

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THE I.I.I. IS A NONPROFIT, COMMUNICATIONS ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED BY THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY.

Insurance Information Institute, 110 William Street, New York, NY 10038; (212) 346-5500;