Are you Prepared for Hurricane Season? Tips to Protect Your Home and Loved Ones from Hurricanes

WARWICK, R.I.--May 25, 2006--2005 was the worst hurricane season on record, and several hurricane experts are predicting that this season will be worse than average as well. As last year proved, consumers cannot afford to let their guard down, and MetLife Auto & Home is offering free materials and tips that can help consumers prepare for--and ride out--a storm.

"Many people are unaware of simple measures they can take to protect themselves and their homes," said Bob Smith, chief claim officer and vice president of MetLife Auto & Home. "Natural disasters--such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, and wildfires--impact thousands each year. By taking a few practical steps, however, consumers can reduce the likelihood of damage to their property and loved ones."

To help consumers better prepare for hurricane season, MetLife Auto & Home is making available to the public a variety of free resources:

-- A free brochure, "Your Hurricane Guide," which provides important information on insurance basics about disasters that every consumer should understand--including the fact that homeowners policies do not cover flooding--as well as information on what to do before and after a disaster.

-- A free homeowners inventory, available in English and Spanish. Having a complete inventory of a home's contents can prove extremely valuable in the event that an insurance claim needs to be filed.

-- On-line disaster preparedness information developed in collaboration with the American Red Cross. In addition to offering ways to prepare for hurricanes and other natural disasters, the site provides information on what to do after a disaster strikes, what types of damages are generally covered under an insurance contract, and helpful links offering additional resources.

The information is available by calling 1-800-MET-LIFE (1-800-638-5433) or online at www.metlife.com (choose "Disaster Preparation" under "Life Advice").

Flooding is nature's most common natural disaster, affecting tens of thousands of homeowners nationally each year--and causing over $600 million in property damage in the United States. People are often surprised to discover that flooding could happen to them, because it occurs in all 50 states in the United States. In fact, up to 25 percent of all flood claims come from people living in low-to-moderate-risk zones. Flood insurance is usually relatively inexpensive, and can easily be purchased for a home or business, to cover both building and contents, subject to policy limitations. To help educate consumers about flood risks, promote awareness of the benefits of flood insurance, and assist agents with the flood insurance sales process, MetLife Auto & Home offers a comprehensive website on flood preparation, available at www.metlifeflood.com.

MetLife Auto & Home(R), a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. , is one of the nation's leading personal lines property and casualty insurance companies, insuring over 3.8 million autos and homes. MetLife Auto & Home has developed a reputation for innovation in product design, being the first insurer to introduce product enhancements that provide greater value to consumers, including Identity Theft resolution services to both its auto and home insurance customers, offered at no additional charge. The company was named among the industry's leaders in customer service according to J.D. Power & Associates' 2005 Claims Customer Satisfaction surveys for both auto and home. For more information about MetLife(R) and its affiliates, visit www.metlife.com.

MetLife Auto & Home is a brand of Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company and its affiliates, Warwick, RI.