[YOUR AGENCY NAME]
Catastrophe Guide
Your Agency's Guide to Preparedness
A Publication Of:
Florida Association of Insurance Agents
3159 Shamrock South
Tallahassee, FL 32309
Revised 2011
© 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011 All rights reserved.
Reprint or reproduction, in whole or in part, not permitted without the express written consent of the
FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE AGENTS
P.O. Box 12129, Tallahassee, Florida 32317-2129
Phone number: (850) 893-4155 FAX number: (850) 668-2852
Web Site: www.faia.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 3
FLORIDA BACKGROUND 3
CHAPTER 2 5
THE STATE WIDE PLAN 5
ZONES FOR FAIA’S CATASTROPHE ASSISTANCE VOLUNTEER NETWORK 8
CATASTROPHE ASSISTANCE Coordinators by Zone 9
Guide for Zone Coordinators 15
ZONES FOR FAIA'S CATASTROPHE ASSISTANCE VOLUNTEER NETWORK 17
CHAPTER 3 18
AGENCY PLAN 18
GUIDELINES FOR THE AGENCY PLAN 18
Checklists 19
Emergency Supplies and Equipment 19
Office Supplies 20
Claims Supplies 20
People Supplies 21
Power 21
Computers 22
Phones 23
PUBLIC RELATIONS 23
Clients 23
Media 24
WELL BEING OF STAFF 24
CASH AND CASH FLOW 24
CATASTROPHE ASSISTANCE VOLUNTEER NETWORK 25
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CATASTROPHE PROCESSING—Before the Catastrophe 25
Insurance Company Special Catastrophe Information 27
Suggestions for the Non-claims Staff: Who Will be Handling Claims? 28
Develop and Maintain a List of Individuals Available for Temporary Work 28
Set Up a Separate Claims File. 32
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CATASTROPHE PROCESSING—after the Catastrophe 35
Do not attempt to visit catastrophe sites. 35
At First Report of Loss, Completely Inform Each Insured. 37
CHAPTER 4 42
WORKING WITH THE MEDIA 42
I.THE PURPOSE OF MEDIA RELATIONS 42
II. THE INDUSTRY RESPONSE 43
III. WHAT-TO-DO CHECKLISTS 44
CHAPTER 5 48
FLOOD 48
I.THE PROBLEM 48
II. AGENCY PREPARATION 49
III. AFTER THE FLOOD 50
III. FLOOD QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 51
CHAPTER 6 59
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE AWARENESS 59
I. WHAT IS WORKPLACE VIOLENCE? 59
II.WHAT ARE THE CATEGORIES OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE? 60
III.RECOGNIZING WARNING SIGNALS 60
IV. ESCALATING LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND WHAT TO DO 61
CHAPTER 7 62
TERRORISM 62
PREPARING FOR THE UNEXPECTED 62
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PREPARE 63
IF DISASTER STRIKES 64
A Word on What Could Happen 64
Evacuation 65
Listen to local authorities. 65
Shelter in place 65
ADDITIONAL POSITIVE STEPS YOU CAN TAKE 66
First Aid Primer 66
Control Bleeding 67
Care for Shock 67
Tend Burns 67
Care for Injuries to Muscles, Bones and Joints 67
Be Aware of Biological/Radiological Exposure 68
Reduce Any Care Risks 68
YOUR DISASTER SUPPLIES KIT SHOULD INCLUDE: 68
CHAPTER 8 69
FIRE SAFETY 69
I. MAKE YOUR HOME FIRE SAFE 69
II. PLAN YOUR ESCAPE ROUTES 69
III. ESCAPE SAFELY 69
IV. STATISTICS AND SAFETY VIOLENCE 70
V. KITCHEN SAFETY 70
VI. COOKING SAFETY TIPS 70
Safety Advice 71
VII. HEATING SAFETY 71
VII. HEATING SAFETY TIP 72
VIII. ELECTRICAL SAFETY 72
Electrical Safety Tips 73
IX. THE BASICS 73
CHAPTER 9 74
LIGHTNING...NATURES FIREWORKS 74
I. LIGHTNING 74
Lightening Myths & Facts 75
CHAPTER 10 75
FIRE PROTECTION FOR OFFICES - CHECKLIST 75
I. ELECTRICAL 75
II. ARSON 76
III. SPONTANEOUS IGNITION 77
IV. SMOKING 77
V. EXPOSURE FIRE 77
CHAPTER 11 78
FIRE PROTECTION FOR OFFICES 78
I. WHAT CAN YOU DO? 78
II. EVALUATE YOUR RISK 79
III. IN CONCLUSION 81
CHAPTER 12 81
FIRE PROTECTION FOR OFFICES 81
Make Contact with Your Employees 84
APPENDIX 86
PREPARING FOR A DISASTER: 86
A NECESSITY/AN OPPORTUNITY: A REPORT ON HURRICANE HUGO 86
Introduction 87
The Agency 87
The Storm 87
The Catastrophe Plan 90
48 Hours Before the Storm 93
24 Hours Before the Storm 94
After the Storm 95
Things Done Right 96
Things Done Wrong 99
Long-term Impact 104
Conclusion 105
HURRICANE FACTS 106
Hurricane Glossary 106
How a Storm’s Strength is Rated 107
The History of Naming Hurricanes 109
How to Track a Hurricane 111
Catastrophe planning resources 114
Suggestions for Local Board Meetings on Catastrophe Planning 114
Agent’s Memo of Loss 115
Insurance Company Special Catastrophe Information 117
HURRICANE DAMAGE —Special Notice: 118
Catastrophe Assistance Volunteer Network Enrollment Form 119
Checklists 120
Special Agency Note for Catastrophe Planning 122
Hurricane Command Post Supply List 123
Steps for Partners in Recovery Emergency Activation 124
Before a hurricane is in the picture 124
AGENT TRAINING: UNAUTHORIZED INSURANCE ENTITIES 125
Major Regulatory Premise 125
Unauthorized Entities: Basic History, Overview, and Rationale 125
Possible Consequences for Aiding and Abetting an Unauthorized Insurer 128
Possible Consequences for Acting as an Insurer without Proper License 128
Key Considerations in Disaster Planning & Management 129
Overview 130
Steps to Take Well Before a Disaster 131
Developing, Instilling, & Practicing the Disaster Plan 131
Protecting Agency Data & Systems & Preparing to Access Them after the Disaster 132
Protecting Internet Access 133
Protecting Equipment & Providing for Continued Electrical Power 133
Alternative Communications 134
Provisions to Have On Hand 135
Steps to Take When a Disaster is Imminent 136
Implement Disaster Plan 136
Protecting Agency Data & Accessing it After the Disaster 136
Protecting Equipment & Providing for Continued Electrical Power 137
Alternative Communications 138
Provisions to Have On Hand 138
Steps to Take After a Disaster Strikes 138
Implementing the Disaster Plan 139
Provisions 139
Some Final Thoughts 139
Additional Resources 139
Get Involved with the FAIA Agency Buddy System 141
The Way It Works 141
Example 141
How to Make the Buddy System Grow 142
IT DISASTER RECOVERY PLAN 142
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