We all need to be storm preppers, insurance watchdog group urges
The duo, who have been working together since 2011 as principals of the
On
"We typically wait until June and say, 'Now is the time to prepare,'" said Handerhan, FAIR's senior vice president for public policy. "But that's too late, especially if you are planning a storm hardening project that requires selecting a contractor, getting financing in order, and getting proper credits from your insurance company."
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If we're entering a "new normal" with more frequent and more powerful hurricanes, then
Getting ready for the next storm is now a year-round vocation.
So say a diverse group of experts and advocates behind a renewed hurricane prep...
If we're entering a "new normal" with more frequent and more powerful hurricanes, then
Getting ready for the next storm is now a year-round vocation.
So say a diverse group of experts and advocates behind a renewed hurricane prep...
(
Impact window selection and financing options will be discussed as well, and viewers will be shown how storm-resistant windows are made and installed.
The special was co-produced by FAIR's new consumer education offshoot,
Education is one of the primary missions of the
Residents of
Six of the top 10 U.S. metro areas most vulnerable to storm surge are in
Consumers and workers in the insurance industry need to know more about how to better prepare for hurricanes and the coming effects of climate change, including more frequent and intense hurricanes, but also increased flooding from summer rainstorms, Neal and Handerhan said. Many
FAIR, headquartered in
FAIR, headquartered in
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Consumers also need to be reminded that they'll get a return on their investment in impact windows and a new or reinforced roof, Neal said. The improvements would lower the price of their insurance and utility bills.
"They want people talking about impact windows at their next party," said
As
More and more, that includes credit scores. A good score can lead to discounts. Customers with poor scores get no discount, and if they have poor scores...
As
More and more, that includes credit scores. A good score can lead to discounts. Customers with poor scores get no discount, and if they have poor scores...
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The foundation has created a subsidiary called
There's also the FAIR Certified Partner Program to enable real estate and insurance agents to co-brand an insurance buying guidebook, "Wise Up Florida," to give to customers, Neal said.
This year, FAIR plans to open an office in
Handerhan formed FAIR in 2010, soon after representing the
While sharing dinner in 2008 with Miller, a insurance industry lobbyist, Handerhan wondered why the sides couldn't seem to compromise over anything. He decided to create a nonprofit organization focused on putting policyholders' interests first by cajoling often-warring interests to sit down together and look for common ground.
Neal, who had owned an insurance agency in
They found willing listeners among insurance company CEOs, state insurance regulators, trial lawyers, public adjusters, construction contractors and state legislators. They also intervened on behalf of individual insurance customers.
Neal remembers a
"I'd never heard that a company could just cancel a policy like that," Neal said. "I consulted with experts, got the insurance consumer advocate involved, and it turned out hundreds of other customers were in the same boat. We got involved and got [their policies] reinstated."
FAIR recruited board members from most of the interest groups it worked with and found regular donors among organizations that acknowledged the value of its role.
"FAIR brings together very disparate groups of folks, which is unusual in today's political world," said
Miller said she looks forward to seeing what Neal and Handerhan can accomplish with the
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