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Travelers Deploys Catastrophe Team to Oklahoma a" Provides Tips for Residents

^{Published on 2010-05-12 09:11:28 - Market Wire}
 

HARTFORD, Conn.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--To assist customers affected by the tornadoes and severe storms that impacted Oklahoma, Travelers (NYSE: TRV) has mobilized its catastrophe response resources.

Travelers dispatched two Mobile Claim Offices to the area; one to Oklahoma City and another to Norman. The Mobile Claim Offices are fully self-contained claim offices on wheels where customers can start the claim process, get access to third-party disaster resources, or just stop by to ask questions about what to anticipate during the claim process. Under certain circumstances, Travelers claim professionals can issue checks or personalized debit cards to policyholders on the spot for instant access to cash to cover immediate needs for food, clothing and shelter.

aHelping our customers as soon as possible is our top priority,a said Ken Pond, Travelers Claim Center Vice President for Oklahoma. aWorking in partnership with our national Catastrophe Management Center, we anticipated the severe weather in Oklahoma and started moving resources in that direction before the tornadoes touched down. [ Catastrophe responders from across our organization ]were quickly dispatched to the area to support our local claim professionals already on the ground triaging the damage in central and eastern Oklahoma and, to ensure that our customers receive the prompt, professional and compassionate service they deserve, we only assign losses to trained, experienced Travelers Claim professionals.a

For customers who have experienced a loss as a direct result of the severe weather, Travelers suggests reporting the loss promptly by calling the appropriate number below. Other [ disaster tips ] to help customers include:

• Protect property from further damage by arranging for reasonable temporary repairs as soon as possible. For example, if windows are broken, have them boarded up to protect the home and property against further weather damage or vandalism.
• Keep an accurate record of all temporary repair expenses (e.g., bills and/or material receipts) and keep an accurate record of any expenses incurred to be considered for possible reimbursement. Dona™t make any permanent repairs until the insurance adjuster has had a chance to review the damage.
• Determine the damage to personal property by making a list of what was damaged. To be as accurate as possible, include the manufacturer, brand name and the place and date of purchase.
• Work with reputable contractors to get through the repair process. Ask for references and make sure the contractor is fully licensed and insured.
• Return to area only when police give the okay. Debris and downed power lines can create hazards.

Travelers claim professionals are available to receive customer claims 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone or online. Customers are encouraged to report their loss directly by contacting Travelers [ online ], by phone or through a [ smartphone ].

TO REPORT A CLAIM

• Home and Auto Claims:

800.CLAIM33 (800.252.4633) / [ Report a Home or Auto Claim Online ]

• Business Claims:

800.238.6225 / [ Report a Business Claim Online ]

Background on Mobile Claim Offices

These first-in-the-industry vehicles were developed as a result of lessons learned from Hurricane Andrew, which devastated parts of Florida in 1992. They are staffed by Catastrophe Response Team members and equipped with everything required to process claims in the midst of a disaster, such as onboard computers and databases, printers, photocopiers, cell phones, and fax machines. Each vehicle has its own generator, so they can operate in places without electricity and can process claims through wireless or satellite connectivity if land lines are not available. Up-to-date Mobile Claim Office locations can be found on [ www.travelers.com ].

About Travelers

The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: [ TRV ]) is a leading property casualty insurer selling primarily through independent agents and brokers. The companya™s diverse business lines offer its global customers a wide range of coverage in the [ auto ], [ home ] and [ business ]settings. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Travelers has more than 30,000 employees and generated revenues of approximately $25 billion in 2009. For more information, visit [ www.travelers.com ].