Virtual Conference: Economic Impact from Absence of Hurricanes in Fla.

Florida has been spared landfall by a hurricane for a second consecutive year, but residents should not be lulled into a sense of false security, cautions Sam Miller of the Florida Insurance Council.

The 2007 hurricane season produced two category 5 hurricanes that made landfall in Central America. Had steering currents pushed them across our state, the impact of either or both of those storms combined, could have been devastating, Miller said.

Experts continue to predict that we are in the middle of a 15-to-20 year period of increased hurricane activity.

Robert Hartwig, president of the Insurance Information Institute will discuss the 2007 hurricane season and its economic implications for every Floridian as well as the insurance industry.

Hartwig will conduct a briefing via a virtual news conference on Thursday at 11 a.m., Eastern Standard Time. Participants can access Hartwig’s PowerPoint presentation via the Insurance Information Institute Web site.

To participate, install the iLinc software before the meeting by accessing the following link: http://iii.ilinc.com/systest

1. Access https://iii.ilinc.com/join/rbhvcs to enter the virtual conference room

2. Dial the toll free phone number (888) 447-7153. Enter the number 9812183 and press the pound (#) key. A traditional conference call will accompany the view on the computer screen.

3. Mute your phone at the beginning of the session if you are not going to be speaking and also please be aware that if you place your phone on “hold” all participants will hear your “hold” music.

Source: Florida Insurance Council