News Release

New Jersey Department of
Banking and Insurance

Commissioner Tom Considine

For Immediate Release:
May 23, 2011

For Further Information:
Ed Rogan or Marshall McKnight (609) 292-5064

TRENTON – Four staff members from the Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) are working in Alabama this week as part of a national volunteer effort to assist residents who suffered damages from tornadoes last month with filing insurance claims, Commissioner Tom Considine said today.

The staff members are working in Alabama’s mobile service centers and offer technical assistance to residents filing insurance claims for damages suffered from the tornadoes that struck in April.  Staff are working 12-hour shifts for seven consecutive days. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is coordinating the effort and paying transportation and lodging expenses for DOBI employees — and all other states’ insurance department employees who are participating — while they stay in Alabama.

“Our hearts go out to all of those who suffered loss of loved ones and property in Alabama,” said Commissioner Considine. “I am very proud that our employees will be assisting residents in their time of need, and I hope their efforts provide some relief to the people of Alabama. I also want to thank all of the DOBI employees who volunteered for this effort. They exemplify public service at its best.”  

Commissioner Considine said that more than 30 DOBI employees volunteered to go to Alabama to assist the efforts, but so far only four have been needed due to the strong response from insurance regulators across the country. He said there is a possibility more Department employees may respond, depending on the need in the coming weeks as cleanup and recovery efforts continue.

“Occasionally, the Department’s mission to protect and assist consumers extends beyond New Jersey’s borders, and our staff members are more than glad to work side by side with staff from other states’ insurance departments and continue in this national effort to help the people of Alabama,” he said.

Due to the widespread damage caused by the tornadoes that struck the state on April 27, Alabama regulators asked the NAIC for volunteers from state regulatory departments to help residents file claims. Alabama regulators said the state’s insured losses caused by the tornadoes will likely exceed damage caused by Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

For more information on insurance, call 1-800-446-7467 or go online at www.njdobi.org.

For more information on the NAIC, visit www.naic.org.