Insurance Companies Provide Claims Assistance for Alabama Twisters METLIFE AUTO & HOME LOGO MetLife Auto & Home is a brand of Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company and its Affiliates, Warwick, RI. (PRNewsFoto)[AG] WARWICK, RI USA 10/12/2000

18 December 2000

    WARWICK, R.I., Dec. 18 Personal lines customers of MetLife
Auto & Home, the Economy Companies, USF&G, and The St. Paul who have sustained
damage from the tornadoes that struck Alabama on Saturday can receive
immediate assistance by calling a 24-hour claims hotline.  MetLife Auto & Home
insures approximately 28,700 policyholders in the state of Alabama.
    ( Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001012/METLOGO )
    The Economy Companies, USF&G, and most of The St. Paul's auto and home
policies were acquired by MetLife Auto & Home late last year.  As a result,
MetLife Auto & Home provides claim services to insureds for all three
companies. Former St. Paul customers should call 1-800-859-1963, while MetLife
Auto & Home customers should call 1-800-854-6011.  In either case, all
customers can also call their local agents for assistance.
    "MetLife Auto & Home's trained professionals are working around the clock
to help get our customers' lives back in order. In fact, we have dispatched
several members of our National Catastrophe Team to Alabama to handle these
claims," said Chris Cawley, MetLife Auto & Home's chief claim officer and
senior vice-president of customer service. "Our caring associates will help
secure shelter if necessary, guide customers through temporary repairs, issue
checks for immediate expenses, and promptly compensate customers for damage to
property."
    MetLife Auto & Home advises customers not to go into a damaged structure
unless absolutely necessary.  Hazards like downed power lines, broken glass,
and other items that have been knocked down may make it unsafe for entry.  If
it is possible to re-enter a home safely, customers should do so, in order to
protect their property from further damage.  For example, covering exposed
portions of property with heavy-duty tarps and boarding-up any broken windows
will help protect the premises from additional exposure to the elements, which
would result in additional property damage.
    Customers should also save receipts for temporary repairs, begin to make
an inventory list of damaged property, and jot down any issues or concerns
they have so that the adjuster can get their claims processed as soon as
possible.
    MetLife Auto & Home offers a free brochure for those who may be living in
a tornado alley called "Preparing for Tornadoes."  The brochure, part of
MetLife's Life Advice program, is designed to help people develop a disaster
plan (call 1-800-MET-LIFE).  Important safety steps that are highlighted in
the brochure include:

    1. Discuss what you would do and where you would go if you had a warning
       to evacuate your premises.
    2. Learn your community's tornado warning signal and practice an escape
       route with your family.
    3. Pay attention to the weather.
    4. Prepare a disaster supply kit including a radio, flashlight, fresh
       batteries, water, a first aid kit, blankets, a supply of prescription
       drugs, pet needs, nonperishable food, and a can opener.

    MetLife Auto & Home is one of the nation's leading personal lines property
and casualty companies with nearly three million policies in force.  For more
information about the wide variety of insurance products MetLife Auto & Home
provides in all 50 states and DC, contact your local MetLife Auto & Home
provider or authorized Independent Agent; visit MetLife's Web site at
http://www.metlife.com; or call 1-800-422-4272.

     Contacts:
     Ted Mitchell
     (401) 827-3236
     tjmitchell@metlife.com

     Joe Madden
     (401) 827-2015
     jmadden@metlife.com