Nationwide Insurance, Allied Insurance responding to severe storms

Nationwide Insurance, Allied Insurance responding to severe storms Nationwide Insurance, Allied Insurance responding to severe storms  Storm safety tips vital to being prepared FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 30, 2012 Contacts: Elizabeth Stelzer 614-315-8769stelzee@nationwide.com Media Relations Hotline 614-249-6349 Columbus, Ohio â€"Nationwide Insurance and Allied Insurance claim representatives and agents are prepared to assist customers affected by the severe storms that recently swept through the Midwest and continued into the Mid Atlantic regions. Procedures are in place providing quick response to customers needs. Policyholders with storm damage should call the Nationwide and Allied Insurance claims hotline at 800-421-3535. Summer severe weather can produce tornadoes, thunderstorms, strong winds and floods. Nationwide and Allied Insurance offer the following safety tips to be prepared for severe weather: Thunderstorms â€" If you can hear thunder, lightning is a danger. Take shelter if skies look threatening. Stay indoors, away from doors and windows. Avoid taking a shower or bath, and using the telephone. Because lightening can travel through electrical lines, turn off or unplug all electrical appliances. Tornadoes â€" Tornadoes are often accompanied by heavy rain, thunder, lightning or hail. In threatening weather, listen for authorized watches and warnings. If a tornado warning alarm sounds, take cover in a basement or first-floor, interior room without windows. Never stay inside a mobile home or take shelter beneath one; go to the nearest shelter or take cover in a ditch or depression in the ground away from the home. Floods â€" Floodwaters are extremely powerful. Just two feet of water can sweep away a car and as little as six inches can cause unstable footing. Remember that flood conditions change rapidly and water can be much deeper than it appears. If your home floods, turn off utilities and keep them off until authorities say it's safe to turn them on. Don’t pump water out of your basement until floodwater recedes. Avoid flood-weakened structures and be aware that floodwaters can be contaminated. A disaster kit is essential in severe weather or an emergency. Here are some basic items that should be kept together in a safe, waterproof and easy-to-access area: First aid kit, including your family members' medications Canned food and a can opener Bottled water Clothing Battery-powered radio Flashlights and extra batteries Written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas and water In the event of a policyholder needing to file an insurance claim, representatives are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assist them. To help expedite the process, it is helpful to have a policy number or home address available when the call is placed. Also, make note of any injuries received and any witnesses or police authority contacted in relation to property damage. About Allied Allied Insurance is a property and casualty insurer established in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1929. Allied operates in 33 states through a network of independent agents with regional offices in Denver, CO; Des Moines, IA; Lincoln, NE; Gainesville, FL; and Sacramento, CA. Allied has been a member of the Nationwide family of companies since 1998, and is responsible for Nationwide’s independent agency system. Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the country’s largest multi-line insurers and financial services organizations. Information is available at www.alliedinsurance.com. About Nationwide Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s. The company provides customers a full range of insurance and financial services, including auto insurance, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, pet, life insurance, farm, commercial insurance, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings plans and specialty health services. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com. Nationwide, the Nationwide frame mark, and On Your Side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. Update feed preferences