GEICO activates CAT teams along East Coast as Hurricane Irene moves in; heavy flooding expected

WASHINGTON, D.C. – GEICO’s Catastrophe Claims Response Teams (CAT) are being activated to assist policyholders as Hurricane Irene closes in on North Carolina, Virginia and moves up along several East Coast states and through New England.

Heavy flooding is anticipated as the hurricane tracks through the Middle Atlantic and Northeast, and people are urged to avoid driving through rising water.

All GEICO policyholders are urged to log onto www.geico.com or call 1-800-841-3000 as soon as any storm damage affects them and their claims will be processed immediately. GEICO will dispatch special claims teams to damaged areas, if necessary, to help get people back on the road.

GEICO officials say that additional information is available at GEICO’s online Catastrophe Center with preparedness tips, links to other important hurricane information and weather sites, and immediate claims handling capabilities.

GEICO urges policyholders to take all necessary steps to protect their families, their homes and their vehicles prior to the storm. The company also urges residents to heed the instructions of their local fire and police agencies.

GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and is the third-largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States.* GEICO provides auto insurance coverage for 10 million policyholders and insures more than 16 million vehicles.

In addition to auto insurance, GEICO offers customers insurance products for their motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and mobile homes. Coverage for life, boats, homes and apartments is available through the GEICO Insurance Agency. Commercial auto insurance and personal umbrella protection are also available.

As a member of the Berkshire Hathaway group of companies, GEICO is rated A++ for financial strength by A.M. Best Company and ranks at the top of several national customer satisfaction surveys. For more information, go to http://www.geico.com.

*A.M. Best