From: MPD-2d@yahoogroups.com

The floods of last week showed stories of people who could not file
insurance claims because their papers were destroyed by the floods.
Please make a video, or memory card of all of your rooms and all of your
property, and store it off site. Make copies of all important documents
and store them in a plastic air tight bag along with your photo records
of property in case you need them to file a claim after a loss. Of all
the recommendations make below, those are the two most important.
Samantha Nolan

From: DISB COMMUNICATIONS (DISB)
Subject: DISB News: Nearly Half of All US Consumers are Unprepared for
Disasters

Government of the District of Columbia

Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking

<http://us.f329.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download/us/ShowLetter?box=Inbox&MsgId
=6049_28193902_7286474_2068_11992_0_251637_47678_2622083381&bodyPart=2&Y
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Thomas E. Hampton
Commissioner

For Immediate Release:
Contact:
May 14, 2008
Michelle Phipps-Evans

Senior Public Affairs Specialist

202-442-7822, michelle.phipps-evans@dc.gov
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NEARLY HALF OF AMERICANS UNPREPARED
FOR DISASTERS, NEW SURVEY REVEALS
What You Need to Know About Insurance Before Disaster Strikes

Washington, D.C. (May 14, 2008) - As the nation braces for the
hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes and floods that accompany the spring
and summer disaster season, nearly half of U.S. consumers are
insufficiently prepared-in terms of their insurance coverage-to deal
with potential losses, according to new research by the D.C. Department
of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) and the National Association
of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

The national survey revealed a significant lack of preparedness among
consumers in documenting their belongings. Nearly half-48 percent-said
they did not have an inventory of their possessions. Of those consumers
who reported having a checklist, 32 percent had not taken any pictures
and 58 percent had no receipts validating the cost of their possessions.
In addition, 44 percent of respondents acknowledged that they had not
stored their inventory in a remote location.

"A comprehensive list of your belongings and their estimated value will
help you file an insurance claim after a disaster," said DISB
Commissioner Thomas E. Hampton. "Creating an inventory and storing it in
a safe location away from home is one of the most basic-and most
effective-disaster preparedness steps anyone can take to help protect
themselves and their financial future."

The survey also found that 43 percent of adults polled owned homeowners
or renter's insurance policies that provided a replacement cost payout.
Of the remaining consumers, 27 percent indicated their policies insured
their homes for the actual cash value, while another 28 percent did not
know which type of coverage they purchased.

Actual cash value is the amount it would take to repair or replace
damage to a home and its contents after depreciation. Replacement cost
is the amount it would take to replace or rebuild a home or repair
damages with materials of similar kind and quality, without deducting
for depreciation.

"Many consumers are not able to completely recover after a disaster
because they don't realize how depreciation can impact their assets,"
Commissioner Hampton said. "It is important for consumers to understand
the implications of purchasing an actual cash value policy vs.
replacement cost insurance . In the event of a disaster, the difference
could mean thousands of dollars in payout."

The NAIC survey also found that the majority of consumers do not have
the coverage necessary to protect themselves from specific types of
losses that are not reimbursed under standard policies:

* 69 percent do not have earthquake insurance .
* 65 percent do not have flood insurance .
* 56 percent do not have insurance for a water line break.
* 55 percent do not have insurance for a sewer line break.

"Many homeowners and renters are vulnerable, especially if they live in
disaster-prone areas," Commissioner Hampton added. "Consumers should
review their insurance policies yearly with their agent or company to
make sure they have the coverage needed to protect their family and
their belongings."

Get important information about preparing for a disaster from the DISB's
Web site at www.disb.dc.gov <http://www.disb.dc.gov/> . Or call (202)
727-8000. Get more insurance tips through the NAIC's
public-education program, Insure U - Get Smart About Insurance, on
DISB's Web site.

Disaster Preparedness Tips for Homeowners and Renters from
D.C. Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking

* Take an inventory of your valuables and belongings. This should
include taking photographs or a video of each room. This documentation
will provide your insurance company with proof of your belongings and
help to process claims more quickly in the event of disaster.

* To enable filing claims more quickly, keep sales receipts
and/or canceled checks. Also note the model and serial numbers of the
items in your home inventory.

* As you acquire more valuables-jewelry, family heirlooms,
antiques, art-consider purchasing an additional "floater" or "rider" to
your policy to cover these special items. These types of items typically
are not covered by a basic homeowners or renter's insurance policy.

* &nb sp; Remember to include in your home inventory those items
you rarely use (e.g., holiday decorations, sports equipment, tools,
etc.).

* Store copies of all your insurance policies in a safe location
away from your home that is easily accessible in case of disaster. You
may want to store your policies and inventory in a waterproof, fireproof
box or in a safe, remote location such as a bank safe deposit box.
Consider leaving a copy of your inventory with relatives, friends or
your insurance provider and store digital pictures in your e-mail or on
a Web site for easy retrieval.

* Know what is and is not covered by your insurance policy. You
might need additional protection depending on where you live. Make sure
your policies are up to date. Contact your insurance provider annually
to review and update your insurance policy.

* Keep a readily available list of 24-hour contact information
for each of your insurance providers.

* Find out if your possessions are insured for the actual cash
value or the replacement cost. Actual cash value is the amount it would
take to repair or replace damage to your home or possessions after
depreciation while replacement cost is the amount it would take to
repair or replace your home or possessions without deducting for
depreciation. Speak with your insurance provider to determine whether
purchasing replacement coverage is worth the cost.

* Speak with your insurance provider to find out if your policy
covers additional living expenses for a temporary residence if you are
unable to live in your home due to damage from a disaster.

* Appraise your home periodically to make sure your insurance
policy reflects home improvements or renovations. Contact your insurance
provider to update your policy accordingly.

For additional tips and more information about insurance , visit
www.disb.dc.gov <http://www.disb.dc.gov/> .

ABOUT THE NAIC

Headquartered in Kansas City , Mo. , the National Association of
Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is a voluntary organization of the chief
insurance regulatory officials of the 50 states, the District of
Columbia and five U.S. territories. The NAIC's overriding objective is
to assist state insurance regulators in protecting consumers and helping
maintain the financial stability of the insurance industry by offering
financial, actuarial, legal, computer, research, market conduct and
economic expertise. Formed in 1871, the NAIC is the oldest association
of state officials. For more than 135 years, state-based insurance
supervision has served the needs of consumers, industry and the business
of insurance at-large by ensuring hands-on, frontline protection for
consumers, while providing insurers the uniform platforms and
coordinated systems they need to compete effectively in an ever-changing
marketplace. For more information, visit www.naic.org/press_home.htm
<http://www.naic.org/press_home.htm> .

###

The Government of the District of Columbia Department of Insurance ,
Securities and Banking (DISB) regulates financial-service businesses in
the District of Columbia . DISB has two overall missions: to provide
fair , efficient and fast regulatory supervision of financial-service
activities for the protection of the people of the District of Columbia
; and to create conditions that will attract and retain national and
international insurance , securities , banking and other
financial-services businesses to the District. For more information ,
visit DISB on the Web at www.disb.dc.gov <http://www.disb.dc.gov/>