IVAN HUGE FINANCIAL BURDEN FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES

Now that the dust is settling after Hurricane Ivan`s attack on Alabama, a number of banks and insurance companies in the state are starting to feel the financial burden. One of those companies is Alfa Insurance. A representative of Alfa, Paul Long, told WDHN that the effects of Hurricane Ivan left lots of familes in parts of Alabama scrabbling to pick up the pieces. But, they are not along...it is estimated that Montgomery`s Alfa Corporation, the state`s second insurer of valuable property, will fork out about $410 million dollars. Mr. Long who is with one of the Dothan offices, says claims have been pouring in like water...over 35 hundred claims so far in the Wiregrass...an estimated 6 thousand in other parts of the state. He said that was just one number he had heard, and thinks we are real fortunate in this part of the state compared to counties to the west of us. " The father west you go, the more damage, more severe the claims are going to be because of the intensity of the wind." Not only have homeowners had to bunker down for the storm, but you may need to brace yourself for possibly insurance premium hikes in the next 30-60 days. Mr. Long also said that as rates go up, they encourage people to raise their deductible...that helps lower the rates. " The more risk you are willing to take on yourself, you`ll save because you are willing to take on some of the front end loss." Experts say most Alabama insurance companies will not write new policies when Hurricanes hit the Gulf of Mexico, so they encourage you to square away your insurance needs in the weeks prior to the storm washing ashore.