We would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to HGI Claims. @HGIClaims
We are a division of Hammerman & Gainer, LLC, one of the largest and oldest minority-owned Third-Party Administrators in the United States. Founded in 1929, we have been there through many of the worst disasters our country has ever seen. Our focus has always been to be a source of strength and hope in disaster, to provide exceptional claim service in all situations, and to be steadfast in our commitment to excellence, innovation, and service. Our industry-innovating SPhERE program or Serving Policyholders with Excellence in Resources and Experience is our commitment to put the most experienced and best equipped adjusters to work for our clients and their policyholders.
As we approach the 2018 Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season . . . .
Déjà vu all over again?
by Joey Lang
Chief Operating Officer, HGI
To borrow a quote often attributed to Yogi Berra, the title of this article seems to sum up the groundhog-“esque” feelings of risk managers, city officials, and insurance professionals along coastal areas of the United States. We will all sound the alarm of Hurricane Season, hopeful that those in our care will heed our call to prepare.
The following is an article recently published online at Weather.com – 2018 Hurricane Season Expected to Be More Active Than Usual, CSU Forecasters Say
By Jonathan Belles and Linda Lam:
After last year’s disastrous hurricane season that included storms like Harvey, Irma and Maria, the U.S. probably won’t see much of a hurricane reprieve this year, according to forecasters from the Colorado State University Tropical Meteorology Project. The 2018 Atlantic hurricane season forecast released Thursday from Colorado State University calls for the number of named storms and hurricanes to be slightly above historical averages, but less than last year. The group led by Dr. Phil Klotzbach calls for another busy season with a total of 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes. This is just above the 30-year average of 12 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes. A major hurricane is one that is Category 3 or stronger on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Numbers of Atlantic Basin named storms, those that attain at least tropical storm strength, hurricanes, and hurricanes of Category 3 intensity forecast by Colorado State University compared to the 30-year average. Though the official Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through November, occasionally we can see storms form outside those months, as happened last season with April’s Tropical Storm Arlene. (https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/2018-04-04-hurricane-season-forecast-atlantic-colorado-state)
The most important number in preparedness is 1.
It only takes one event to change lives.
One storm can change the course of our communities, our families, and our country.
HANDY MATERIALS FOR YOUR POLICY HOLDERS
• http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/ready.php
• https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes
• http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/hurricane
TO EXPEDITE YOUR CLAIM:
• Document your belongings
• Take pictures and videos of your home and belongings to show the condition and working order of items before the storm.
• Know your coverage. Don’t let a disaster be the first
time you read your policy. There are specific “duties after a loss” that many policyholders learn too late.
• Update your contact information with your carrier and/or agent. Adjusters are often unable to reach you because your normal line may be down or temporarily unavailable.
• Stay active throughout the process. HGI provides the very best in claims adjusters to our clients and we pride ourselves on increased customer engagement. We help each policyholder own the recovery process.