2017 Hurricane Season Begins Today; Contact Insurance Information Institute for Resources, Storm Analysis, Interviews

Targeted News Service (Press Releases)

NEW YORK, June 1 -- The Insurance Information Institute issued the following news release:

Today, June 1, marks the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season. Reporters covering the 2017 season can contact the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) for resources, storm analysis and interviews.

I.I.I. experts are available to discuss the economics of insuring against disasters, consumer tips for disaster preparedness and how insurers can play a vital role in fostering community resilience.

As part of its ongoing work, the I.I.I. has teamed up with Dr. Philip Klotzbach, meteorologist in the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University (CSU) and the Tropical Meteorology Project (TMP), which specializes in Atlantic Basin seasonal hurricane forecasts. Dr. Klotzbach and the TMP predicted today 13 more named storms for 2017. This is in addition to Tropical Storm Arlene, which formed in April, prior to the official start of the hurricane season.

"We anticipate that the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season will have near-average activity," said Dr. Klotzbach. "This forecast is due to a combination of predicted warm neutral ENSO to weak El Nino conditions combined with a somewhat warmer than normal tropical Atlantic."

The TMP also found that six of the 13 storms will become hurricanes and that two will become major hurricanes, with maximum sustained winds of more than 111 mph.

"Coastal residents need to be mindful that it only takes one hurricane to ravage communities and shatter lives," said Sean Kevelighan, chief executive officer with the I.I.I.

Kevelighan warned that disaster losses along both the East and Gulf Coasts are projected to escalate in the coming years, in part because of spikes in building and property development. "With the Atlantic hurricane season upon us, we have an opportunity to promote community resilience with greater emphasis on solutions that can save lives and prevent losses," he said. "The key to having a lasting impact is to build and grow a resilience movement that helps businesses, communities and individuals plan ahead. This kind of preparation helps by lowering insurance costs, reducing losses, and encouraging faster recovery and rebuilding of our cities and infrastructure."

According to the I.I.I., wind damage from tropical storms and hurricanes is covered under standard homeowners, renters and business insurance policies. Flood damage is excluded under standard home and business policies. Separate flood coverage can be purchased from FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and from a few private insurance companies. Find out more about flood insurance here.

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

The 2017 Atlantic Hurricane season ends on November 30.

For more information, visit the following resources:

Facts And Statistics

Hurricanes (http://www.iii.org/facts_statistics/hurricanes.html)

Hurricane Fact Files And Market Share By State (http://www.iii.org/facts_statistics/hurricane-fact-files-and-market-share-by-state.html)

Flood Insurance (http://www.iii.org/facts_statistics/flood-insurance.html)

Consumer And Business Resources

Hurricane Season Checklist--Homeowners Insurance Review (http://www.iii.org/article/hurricane-season-insurance-checklist)

Preparing An Evacuation Plan (http://www.iii.org/article/preparing-effective-evacuation-plan)

Avoiding Scams After A Disaster (http://www.iii.org/article/avoiding-scams-after-a-disaster)

Disaster Planning For Older Adults (http://www.iii.org/article/disaster-planning-for-older-adults)

Does My Business Need Flood Insurance? (http://www.iii.org/article/does-my-business-need-flood-insurance)