PCI Supports Congressional Actions to Improve Forecasting, Mitigation Response

WASHINGTON, April 4 -- The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America issued the following news release:

Nat Wienecke, senior vice president, federal government relations at the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) issued the following statement in support of two congressional actions to improve forecasting and mitigation response. Today, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies held a hearing on "National Water Hazards and Vulnerabilities: Improved Forecasting for Response and Mitigation" and the House passed H.R. 353, The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017.

"PCI applauds Chairman Shelby, Ranking Member Shaheen, and the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for addressing the need for improved forecasting for response to mitigation," said Wienecke. "PCI encourages the Senate to support targeted appropriations that will better prepare the nation for when, not if, the next natural catastrophe occurs.

The United States is experiencing a long-term increase in the frequency and severity of weather related events. Many of these events occur with little or no advance warning to the public, placing both lives and property at risk. "Improving weather prediction capabilities will help increase disaster preparedness and mitigate disaster losses," continued Wienecke. "It is imperative that NOAA and USGS scientists have the most technologically advance anemometers and radar equipment at their disposal to effectively assess hurricanes, tornadoes, and hail storms in real time to protect citizens and property."

PCI submitted a letter to Chairman Shelby and Ranking Member Shaheen. The letter can be found here.

"PCI applauds Congress for passing H.R. 353, the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017. This important legislation is necessary to improve weather research, forecasting, and prediction of natural catastrophes in order to help citizens prepare and recover from disasters," concluded Wienecke.

PCI promotes and protects the viability of a competitive private insurance market for the benefit of consumers and insurers. PCI is composed of nearly 1,000 member companies, representing the broadest cross section of insurers of any national trade association. PCI members write $202 billion in annual premium, 35 percent of the nation's property casualty insurance. Member companies write 42 percent of the U.S. automobile insurance market, 27 percent of the homeowners market, 33 percent of the commercial property and liability market and 34 percent of the private workers compensation market.

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Related Information

PCI Letter to Shelby and Shaheen_Improved Forecasting for Response and Mitigation 4317.pdf (http://www.pciaa.net/pciwebsite/common/page/attachment/69325)