News Release

New Jersey Department of
Banking and Insurance

Commissioner Tom Considine

For Immediate Release:
September 2, 2010

For Further Information:
Ed Rogan or Marshall McKnight (609) 292-5064

TRENTON – New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) Commissioner Tom Considine today issued a bulletin to property insurance carriers alerting them to activate their Disaster Response Preparation Plans in advance of Hurricane Earl. The plans include emergency personnel availability to accept claims filings, preparation for increased customer inquiries and securing consumer data.

When the storm has passed, Considine asked insurers to provide a report to the Department describing their activity resulting from the storm.

“As consumers prepare for a possible emergency we want them to know their insurance carriers are ready to act,” said Considine. “The Department has worked closely with carriers to prepare long before threatening storms approach. While consumers review their personal emergency plans, DOBI will make certain property insurers have their catastrophe response teams ready and in service if necessary.”

Property insurers with more than $20 million of net direct written premium in force must provide the Department with a brief description of their activated emergency plans. The Department may ask for additional information following analysis of Earl’s storm track and subsequent damage reports.

Additional information on storm preparation can be found at www.njdobi.org or by calling 1-800-446-7467.