GEICO Reminds You How to Prepare If Hurricane Irma Takes Aim on Florida and Eastern Seaboard

LAKELAND, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#HurricaneIrma–Coming on the heels of Hurricane Harvey, GEICO would like to offer a few
reminders on how to prepare for more severe weather. Hurricane Irma
could reach Florida and the U.S. Eastern coastline over the weekend, and
a little preparation could save you a lot of time and money.

• Determine your risk – The effects of a storm can reach hundreds of
  miles inland. Will you need an evacuation plan? Do you have sufficient
  food and supplies on hand for the family, including medicine and pet
  supplies?
• Remove potential hazards –Trim trees and remove dead branches. Pick up
  debris and loose objects in the yard to minimize flying objects.
• Follow the directions of your local authorities – Officials will
  inform you of any evacuation plans or other safety procedures. Check
  radio, television or other media for emergency information.

If you should get caught in heavy rains:

• Avoid walking or driving through high water – Six inches of moving
  water can knock you down, and a foot can sweep your vehicle away
  according to Ready.gov.
• Reduce your speed – If you need to drive in the rain, reducing your
  speed reduces the chances of hydroplaning. If you hydroplane,
  immediately take your foot off the accelerator. A rotating tire has
  traction, while a sliding one does not.
• Maintain a safe distance – Increasing the distance you would normally
  have between the vehicle ahead reduces the chance of a collision.
• Turn on your headlamps – Simply turning on your head lamps makes you
  more visible to others.
• When to abandon the car – Ready.gov recommends that you only abandon
  your vehicle if the flood water is rising around your vehicle, but is
  not moving. Then proceed to higher ground.

If you have a loss please report it as quickly as possible, using GEICO
Mobile, log in at GEICO.com
or call (800) 841-3000 24 hours a day.

Click to learn more about GEICO’s Catastrophe
Response Team. For a complete hurricane preparation checklist, log
onto GEICOMore.com
and additional tips.
Should you need to evacuate please click on safe
driving in the heavy rain and getting
your home Flood-Ready.

GEICO
(Government Employees Insurance Company) is a member of the Berkshire
Hathaway family of companies and is the second-largest private passenger
auto insurance company in the United States. GEICO, which was founded in
1936, provides millions of auto
insurance quotes to U.S. drivers annually. The company is pleased to
serve more than 15 million private passenger customers, insuring more
than 24 million vehicles (auto & cycle).

Using GEICO’s online
service center, policyholders can purchase policies, make policy
changes, report claims and print insurance ID cards. Policyholders can
also connect to GEICO through GEICO
Mobile, reach a representative over
the phone or visit a GEICO
local agent.

GEICO also provides insurance quotes on motorcycles, all-terrain
vehicles (ATVs), boats, travel trailers and motorhomes (RVs). Coverage
for life, homes and apartments is written by non-affiliated insurance
companies and is secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc.
Commercial auto insurance and personal umbrella protection are also
available.

For more information, go to www.geico.com.

Contacts

GEICO Communications
gcorpcomm@geico.com
To
view GEICO’s Blog: https://www.geico.com/more/