DISASTER TIPS & COMPLAINT RATIOS LATEST ADDITIONS TO IL INSURANCE DEPT'S WEB SITE

SPRINGFIELD, IL -- Illinois homeowners who have suffered property damage from a tornado, flood, earthquake or other disaster can now turn to the Internet for information on dealing with their insurance claims.

The Illinois Department of Insurance has added its pamphlet, When Disaster Strikes: What to Do after an Insured Homeowners Loss, to its Internet home page.

The question and answer guide walks readers through issues which most commonly surface in the aftermath of a disaster involving property damage. The format defines key insurance terms and describes responsibilities the agent, the company and the insured will be expected to shoulder throughout the repair or replacement process.

"Disaster victims are understandably overwhelmed after a property loss," said Insurance Director Mark Boozell. "The first few days are not only the most emotional, they can also be the most critical in the insurance process. Our disaster guide gives consumers a simple blueprint of what to expect."

Among the issues addressed are: how to report a claim; what to report to the insurer; handling emergency repairs and temporary housing; and how claims are calculated.

Also new to the Department's web site is the agency's annual listing of consumer complaint ratios. The Department calculates a ratio for insurance companies that have ten or more complaints in a calendar year for auto, homeowners, individual life, and individual and group accident and health insurance coverages. Ratios for health maintenance organizations are also included.

"These additions to our home page are the most recent examples of our ongoing effort to provide consumers with essential information to make more educated decisions about their insurance," Boozell said.

The Illinois Department of Insurance home page can be accessed at http://www.ins.state.il.us/