The devastation and flooding is so complete that many agents will not be able to get back to their offices for many weeks. Transportation and communications are impossible at this time, and will be difficult for weeks to come. Insureds need the services of their agents, but agents have no place to work, no computers, and no phones.
IIABL has developed a 3 part plan to help Independent Agents and their customers. If you are one of our devastated agency members, please contact the IIABL office so that we may assist you. If you are fortunate enough to have avoided Katrina, please share this information with those who have been displaced, volunteer with assistance efforts outlined below, or contribute to the IIABL Disaster Recovery Fund.
1. EMERGENCY INFORMATION SERVICES
Contact Mary Jo Hammonds
Since many agents are not able to answer calls and file claims for their insureds, IIABL is working with the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) and insurance companies to get needed claim information out to insurance consumers. IIABL will issue extensive public service announcements to the news media throughout the region to inform consumers how to file claims until they are able to reach their Independent Agent.
Insurance company claim information can be found on the IIABL website www.IIABL.com This information will be updated as additional company claim information is received. If you have additional insurance company claim contact information, please forward it to Mary Jo Hammonds (mjhammonds@iiabl.com) so that we can include it in our consumer information campaign.
IIABL has also been working with Commissioner Wooley to establish some emergency rules to address unique problems resulting from Hurricane Katrina, such as claims reporting, renewal procedures, etc. We will forward the LDI emergency directive as soon as it is issued.
2. AGENCY RECOVERY CENTER
Contact Ed O'Brien or Jamie Newchurch
Since many members will not be able to get back into their offices or homes for many weeks, IIABL is trying to establish an Agency Recovery Center to give agencies a place to answer phones and report claims until they are able to reestablish their office operations. Logistics for establishing new office space with utilities and phones during this crisis is very difficult, but we are trying to establish facilities to provide temporary office space to displaced members.
Because of the extreme difficulty in getting utilities and phones for new office space, we are also looking for excess office space where displaced agents can work. If you have excess office space with utilities and phones you would be willing to rent to IIABL member agencies, or would be willing to let a displaced agency forward calls and operate out of your office, please forward this email to Jamie Newchurch jnewchurch@iiabl.com with the completed IIABL Catastrophe Assistance Form attached. Displaced agency personnel also need places to live, so please indicate if you are aware of any available residential housing in your area.
If you are an IIABL member who has been displaced by Katrina and need office space to answer phones and file claims until you are able to reestablish your office operations, please forward this email to Jamie Newchurch mailto:jnewchu