As Hurricane Season Approaches, The Hanover Offers Tips to Help Ensure Both Personal and Property Safety

WORCESTER, Mass., May 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- With an active hurricane season predicted, The Hanover Insurance Group offers tips that can help keep you, your family and your property safe.

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"At The Hanover, our business is to understand the nature of a risk and help our agents and their customers protect themselves against it," said Marita Zuraitis, president of The Hanover's property and casualty companies. "When faced with a destructive and dangerous storm, the right preparations can help reduce the risk of potential harm to you, your family, your business and your property."

Despite the astronomical damage hurricanes have caused in recent years, reports indicate that one-third of residents in hurricane-vulnerable states may not be properly insured. With the Atlantic hurricane season around the corner -- lasting from June 1 to November 30th -- millions of residents from Texas to Maine could potentially be impacted.

While The Hanover and its independent agent partners stand ready to deliver on their promises to be there when their customers need them, the most effective way to safeguard yourself, your family and your possessions during a hurricane is to be prepared.

Some tips to keep in mind during the hurricane season, include: Before Hurricane Season -- Review your homeowner's policy with your insurance agent to determine whether you have adequate protection. In particular consider whether you have flood insurance and if your policy will cover current rebuilding costs. -- Understand your responsibilities, which may include installing shutters and ensuring that sump pumps are functioning. -- If you live on or near the coast, consider making improvements to protect your home, including storm shutters for windows and sliding doors, and a hurricane-proof roof. -- Make a home inventory. Be as detailed as possible, listing all personal items and including photos and videos where possible. Keep your inventory in a fireproof safe or a safe deposit box. A free online home inventory tool from the Insurance Information Institute is available at http://www.hanover.com/. -- Stock emergency supplies, including a battery-powered radio, flashlights, extra batteries, first aid handbook and kit, a week's worth of non-perishable food and water, tools, blankets and/or sleeping bags, cooking and eating utensils, paper plates and cups, boards, plastic sheeting, tape and toiletries (soap, bleach (for disinfecting), diapers, etc). -- Develop an evacuation plan and notify family and friends where you will be staying if forced to evacuate. Give them your cell phone number and be sure to compile a list of key numbers you might need in the case of an emergency. -- Secure your home: Repair loose boards, shingles, shutters, down spouts -- the kind of things that could become greater problems in high winds or torrential rain. During a Hurricane Watch -- Listen for advisories on the radio or TV. Follow advice from local officials on how to best protect yourself for the upcoming storm. -- Double check that your emergency supplies are in order. -- Charge your cell phone battery or batteries. -- Fill the gas tank of your car. You'll need it if you have to evacuate. -- Bring items inside your home that could become dangerous as flying objects, including toys, and lawn furniture. -- Make sure that sheds, cabanas and similar detached structures are securely anchored. -- Protect glass windows with boards, shutters or tape. Otherwise they could be broken from wind pressure. -- If you expect flooding, move important papers and valuables to the second floor. -- Turn your refrigerator to the coldest setting; if the power goes off the food will last longer. -- Fill your clean bathtub with extra water. During an Evacuation -- Turn off utilities, including gas, water and electricity. -- If you are going to a shelter that does not allow pets, leave animals in a secure place with food and water to last for several days. Never tie them up, as they won't be able to escape in the face of danger. -- Lock doors and windows. -- Leave a message for authorities notifying them where you will be. -- Take important documents, including your insurance policies and emergency supplies, such as battery-powered radio, flashlights, extra batteries, prescriptions, first aid handbook and kit, non-perishable food and water, tools, blankets and/or sleeping bags, cooking and eating utensils, paper plates and cups, boards, plastic sheeting, tape, baby food, clothes, cash and toiletries (toilet paper, soap, bleach (for disinfecting), diapers, etc). -- When advised to leave, go as soon as possible. Follow recommended routes only. -- Keep your radio on for current storm information. During the Storm -- Stay calm -- don't panic. -- Get inside immediately. -- Evacuate motor homes and take shelter in a grounded building. -- Open a window or door on the side of your home opposite the prevailing wind, in order to reduce dangerous inside pressure. -- Stay away from windows. -- Stay in the center of the room, or in an inside room. -- Turn off electricity if flooding begins. -- Listen to the radio for advisories. After the Storm -- Check to be sure all family members are safe. -- Check utilities. Turn them off if you suspect damage and don't turn them on again yourself. -- Locate your emergency supplies. -- Listen to the radio for advisories and instructions. -- Stay home, unless ordered to evacuate. -- Let your car dry out before starting it. -- Wait for official notice that it is safe to re-enter your home. -- When returning to your home, be cautious when entering a damaged structure. -- Stay away from damaged or weakened walls. -- Wear shoes around debris to avoid injuries. -- Keep your family away from fallen power lines. -- When beginning the cleanup process, use protective gear such as eyewear or gloves. -- Dispose of any digestible items touched by floodwater (food, drinks, and medicine). -- Notify your insurance agent as soon as possible if you have experienced damage. -- Create a list of damaged property that includes photographs and/or video tape when available. -- Do not dispose of damaged items without prior approval from your insurance claims adjuster. -- Keep an accurate record of any temporary repairs or expenses so that they may be considered in your claim. About The Hanover

The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. , based in Worcester, Mass., is the holding company for a group of insurers that includes The Hanover Insurance Company, also based in Worcester; Citizens Insurance Company of America, headquartered in Howell, Mich., and their affiliates. The Hanover offers a wide range of property and casualty products and services to individuals, families and businesses through an extensive network of independent agents, and has been meeting its obligations to its agent partners and their customers for more than 150 years. Taken as a group, The Hanover ranks among the top 40 property and casualty insurers in the United States. For more information, please visit http://www.hanover.com/.

CONTACTS: Investor Relations Media Relations Sujata Mutalik Amy Lynn Banek smutalik@hanover.com abanek@hanover.com (508) 855-3457 (508) 855-4486