U.S. homeowners under-insured against hurricane losses

With more than 68 million people living in hurricane-prone areas of the U.S., many homeowners are inadequately insured, warns the Insurance Information Institute (III) as the 2005 hurricane season is set to begin in June. Last year, the eastern seaboard of the U.S. was struck by five hurricanes in close succession, causing significant insured losses.A recent poll conducted by The National Hurricane Survival (NHS) initiative found that many residents along the East and Gulf coasts do not plan on taking basic steps to protect themselves from hurricanes. Of those surveyed in the NHS poll, about 47% have no disaster plan in preparation of the hurricane season. Around 25% of the respondents say they will do nothing to prepare for a storm even if a "watch" or warning is issued. Over 55% of those surveyed believe that they are "not too" or "not at all" vulnerable to a hurricane event. The III notes that only 25% of homes in flood plains purchase federal flood insurance. "Protecting your home with the proper insurance is part of responsible homeownership," says Loretta Worters, vice president of the III.