PCI Hosts Policy Briefing with ASSURANT, Cincinnati Insurance, IBHS, FEMA, and NOAA for National Preparedness Month

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America issued the following news release:

The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) today hosted a policy briefing entitled "Natural Disasters: The Future of Prediction and the Impact of Recovery" on Capitol Hill to provide information about innovations being made in disaster preparedness and highlight the important role that PCI and the property casualty insurance industry plays in the process.

The event was the fourth installment in PCI's 2014 Capital Engagement Series. Leon Buck, PCI's assistant vice president, federal government relations was joined by Senator David Vitter (R-LA), Representative Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI), Stephen D. Johnson, senior vice president and head of claims, Assurant Specialty Property, Martin J. Mullen, senior vice president and chief claims officer, The Cincinnati Insurance Companies, Debra Ballen, general counsel and senior vice president of public policy, Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), Doug Hilderbrand, lead of NOAA's Weather-Ready Nation, and David Miller, associate administrator, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, FEMA.

"Each of our panelists plays an important role in helping individuals and communities get back on their feet after a catastrophic attack. Communication, collaboration, and cooperation among insurers, regulators, lawmakers, public agencies, and other stakeholders is needed to address issues and improve catastrophe response and preparedness," said Buck. "PCI is working with our members and others in the industry to increase consumer education on catastrophe preparedness and insurance coverage. I am grateful for the participation of Senator Vitter and Representative Hanabusa and all of our panelists for their help in making this an informative program."

"Our industry is never more needed than in the days and weeks following a natural disaster," said Johnson. "PCI is facilitating important discussions on how innovations and technologies can help the property insurance industry better prepare for specific disasters and provide speedier assistance to our policyholders. Today's event provided an excellent discussion on how we all can work smarter and together to meet ever-growing catastrophe-related needs of Americans. And, most importantly, we will continue to work with our policyholders to help them better understand their risks and insurance policies." The panel was moderated by Johnson. "It's critically important for the insurance industry to respond quickly and compassionately to effected policyholders after a catastrophe. PCI's event is a great opportunity to share how we are prepared to answer that call and help people get their lives back on track," said Mullen.

"We support PCI's efforts to keep resilience top of mind with policymakers and to encourage public policy that advocates more resilient communities across our nation," continued Ballen. "With so many disasters touching every corner of our country, policymakers and residents alike not only have to know how to make their communities stronger, but must have the tools to do it. IBHS is proud to be at the forefront of building science research in identifying and promoting best practices for constructing and retrofitting buildings to make our nation more resilient."

"NOAA is excited to join PCI and other Weather-Ready Nation Ambassadors to discuss innovative ways to strengthen national resilience," said Hilderbrand.

The PCI Capital Engagement Series is a series of briefings and policy discussions that bring together insurance industry thought leaders to discuss the importance of property casualty insurance and the current issues impacting the industry. Past PCI Capital Engagement Series policy briefings discussed topics related to property casualty insurance including the importance of reauthorizing the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act and auto safety and innovation.

[Category: Insurance]

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