OAIN: Auto Insurance Cos. and Government Officials Warn of Post-Hurricane Dangers

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA, August 31, 2011 (Press-News.org) Insurance companies and government entities are warning drivers and other East Coast residents that while the storm has passed, danger still abounds for motorists in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, according to Online Auto Insurance News.

Roadways that are normally safe can be dangerous after hurricanes and other natural disasters, authorities say. And auto accidents pose more than just physical risks--they can also drive up premiums for policyholders, especially those with tarnished driving records or who for other reasons already carry high risk car insurance policies.

State Farm issued a safety advisory this week for storm survivors, urging them to take the following precautions:

--Avoid sewers and storm drains and never try to drive or walk through rushing flood waters. Even six inches of moving water can be extremely dangerous, the company pointed out, and more people drown in their vehicles than anywhere else.

--Steer clear of downed power lines. Electrical current passes easily through water, and motorists and pedestrians who get too close to downed lines can get electrocuted.

--Do not drive vehicles that have been damaged by floodwaters--a vehicle's engine, transmission and electrical components are vulnerable to flooding damage. Cars and trucks that have been flooded should be operated only after they are inspected by a qualified technician.

State Farm policyholders have filed more than 42,000 auto and homeowner claims, the company announced Tuesday. The bulk of the loss reports came from New York and New Jersey, which saw a combined total of about 14,300 claims for damage to homes and more than 13,000 claims under auto insurance policies.

The coverage provider's advice comes on the heels of warnings from government officials about the ongoing risks associated with Irene's aftermath.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has warned those living in affected areas to watch out for new safety issues posed by floodwaters, including washed out roads, contaminated water and buildings, damaged electrical wires and other hazards.

Source: http://www.fema.gov/rebuild/recover/health.shtm

FEMA officials say residents should notify authorities about any health and safety risks they encounter, such as downed power lines, dead animals and impassable roads.

To learn more about this and other insurance issues, readers can go to http://www.onlineautoinsurance.com/high-risk/ where they will find informative resource pages and a rate-comparison generator that can help users quickly evaluate their coverage options.