Insurance Org. Reminds Americans That Tornado Threats Remain

St. Louis -- Free-Press-Release.com-- Nov 25, 2011 -- A recent reminder from the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) to residents of tornado-swept states that late-season storms are still possible underscores the importance of consumers’ making sure they are properly protected against damages caused by natural disasters, according to Online Auto Insurance (OAI).

Tornadoes have wreaked havoc across the nation this year, claiming lives, destroying property and prompting claims for damages on policies for everything from homes in Massachusetts to the auto insurance Missouri residents carry.

The nation's deadliest twister in more than 50 years struck Joplin, Mo., in May, killing at least 160 people and causing billions of dollars in insured losses.

Cooler winter weather usually reduces tornado activity. Meteorologists define tornado season as the peak period for tornado reports in a geographic area, and it tends to shift northward from late winter through mid-summer.

Source: http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/

But experts including PCI point out that storms late in the season are still very much a possibility, and that risk became real last week, when a storm system swept through the Southeast. Tornadoes in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and South Carolina tore through homes, downed trees and power lines and killed at least six people, according to Associated Press reports.

Insurance industry experts say because twisters can appear seemingly out of nowhere, it is important to be prepared. And that includes making sure you will be reimbursed for losses due to twisters or other severe weather.

While standard homeowner and business policies reimburse policyholders for wind damage, including that caused by tornadoes, consumers are only protected against the loss of a vehicle if they have policies that include comprehensive coverage.

OAI encourages consumers nationwide to make sure their auto policies for vehicles that are relatively new or otherwise valuable include comprehensive coverage, the only type that protects against weather-related damages including fires, flooding and tornadoes.

The optional coverage will cost a little bit more, and it’s not required in any state, but it’s the only way to rest assured you will be reimbursed for damage to your car.

To read more about this and other safety and coverage issues, go to http://www.onlineautoinsurance.com/missouri/ where you will find informative resource pages and a free-to-use quote-comparison generator that can give you sample premiums for many vehicle makes and models.

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Online Auto Insurance
Gregor McGavin
http://www.onlineautoinsurance.com/