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WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., Sept. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2018 Atlantic Hurricane season began on June 1st and although the U.S. has not experienced a hurricane landfall this year, the most active period of the season is upon us. 

With three major storms currently churning in the Atlantic (Florence, Helene and Isaac), Chubb offers the hurricane preparation tips below to help protect your family, property and possessions from their potentially damaging effects.  Reporters should feel free to leverage these tips for related coverage, citing Chubb.

According to Chubb's 2018 Homeowners' Water Risk Survey, 50 percent of homeowners in the Northeast and 45 percent of homeowners in the South think the weather reporting is regularly or frequently exaggerated. If homeowners don't believe the weather report, they are unlikely to take the necessary home protection steps.

Additionally, this same survey found that 62 percent of homeowners in the Northeast and 68 percent in the South have not changed their home protection measures compared to 12 months ago. Clearly, homeowners have not learned their lessons from Irma, Harvey and Maria.

Chubb advises  the best way to fight back is to be proactive.  In addition to these tips,  Chubb  has experts available for interviews on what home and business owners need to know about their insurance policies before and after a major storm. 

Chubb's Hurricane Preparedness Tips for Homeowners:

• Trim large trees and shrubs. Bring outside patio and lawn furniture, potted plants, and outdoor bicycles and toys indoors. Close and secure all awnings and tie down any loose items that may become projectiles in a high wind.

• Make sure windows, doors and skylights are protected with appropriate shutters or impact-resistant glass. Plywood can be used as last-minute protection.

• Regularly test your gas-powered generator and have plenty of fuel on hand to ensure that it's ready when you need it.

• Secure all interior wall hangings and be sure that art hung on exterior walls are taken off the wall and placed in an interior room, elevated 3 inches off the floor.

• If you are a collector, make a list of all works or objects in your collection. Include notes about any existing damage, as well as the condition of the frames and bases. If possible, have outdoor sculptures relocated to a secure indoor location, and protect with a non-abrasive protective wrapping to safeguard from flying debris.

• Keep your family emergency kit as well as booster cables and tools, tire repair kit/spare tire, matches, flashlights, shovel and traction mats in your car.

• Keep a copy of your homeowners insurance policy with you, in a waterproof container.

• Stay informed about weather conditions by monitoring NOAA Weather radio or local television and radio stations for updates and evacuations.

• Obey all evacuation orders and do not attempt to access your property after the storm until / unless local officials declare the area safely accessible.

Chubb's Hurricane Preparedness Tips for Businesses:

• Confirm that you can receive the local NOAA radio frequency. The National Weather Service uses NOAA Weather Radio to deliver critical information and storm updates.

• Maintain a current list of key contacts with telephone numbers and addresses. Keep a copy accessible offsite.

• Secure or brace outside storage tanks, sheds and other structures.

• Maintain a supply of plastic or tarpaulins to cover water-sensitive equipment.

• Buy plywood (min. 5/8") or shutters to protect doors and windows.

• Ensure proper working condition for emergency equipment, such as flashlights as well as battery-powered radios, drills and saws.

• Understand critical facility utility needs, particularly energy. Identify and perform preventative maintenance on back up resources such as emergency generators.

• Stock non-perishable food, first-aid supplies and drinking water.

• Provide cellular or satellite phones to essential personnel.

In addition, after the storm makes landfall, and as soon as it's safe, Chubb will have adjusters on the ground, in impacted areas to assist its customers, and will be available for on-site interviews, as well as by phone to share first-hand observations, photos and discuss the insurance claims and recovery process.  

About Chubb

Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company, and the largest commercial insurer in the United States. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients.  As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline.  We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly.  The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally.  Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index.  Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London and other locations, and employs approximately 31,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: www.chubb.com.

SOURCE Chubb