I just received an e-mail update regarding the fires...
Editor's note: This is the latest in a series of e-mail updates on the
Farmers response to the Southern California wildfires. For regular updates
on the wildfires, please continue to check the Agency Dashboard. Later
today, we'll post a special Our Company audio message recorded last night
by CEO Paul Hopkins.
Latest news
The Southern California wildfires, now in their fourth day, have destroyed
more than 1,500 homes and caused at least a half-million people to flee -
the largest evacuation in state history. And as numerous fires burn
throughout Southern California, Farmers agents and employees continue to
mobilize to serve our customers. Leading those efforts from the front has
been CEO Paul Hopkins -- a visible presence talking to customers and the
press at both the Santa Clarita fire relief station and the evacuation site
at San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium.
In all these contacts, Hopkins has stressed some critical points -- points
you may also want to share with your staff:
We were first to respond, while others were considering what to do
This is Farmers territory, we're not leaving and there won't be rate
increases or cancellations because of the fires
We've extended billing deadlines for those affected by the fires
Brush abatement will be a key strategy to prevent future fires
The presence of the CEO on the front line has attracted a lot of favorable
media attention. The Los Angeles Times noted that Farmers was first to the
scene at Qualcomm. "We want people to see that their insurance company is
out here," the newspaper quoted Hopkins. The article also noted that
Farmers was committed to doing the right thing. "Southern California is
Farmers' home and its territory," Hopkins added. "I hope other carriers
don't look at this as a time to try to take on horrendous rate increases or
try to leave the state."
Hopkins was also interviewed by all the San Diego network TV affiliates, as
well as Dow Jones News Service, The San Diego Tribune, CNN Money.com, The
San Diego Business Journal, the Annenberg Television Network, Fox Business
news, ABC radio, AM Best Weekly, Insurance Journal, KFI radio, KUSI
television and a few more.
Other media reports have focused on the fact that the Farmers Mobile Claims
Center (MCC) was the first and only insurer response vehicle at the stadium
in San Diego -- and many noted Farmers' generosity in feeding more than
1,000 customers and non-customers, and our willingness to make Additional
Living Expense (ALE) payments to evacuees at the MCC.
Leading our media relations efforts is VP of State Legislative Affairs and
Media Relations Mark Toohey and his team: Media Relations Director Jerry
Davies and Media Relations Manager Michelle Levy.
Comments(0)