XL GAPS Expands Wind Analysis Services for Commercial and Industrial Properties Exposed to Windstorms
June 15 2009 - 11:30AM
PR Newswire (US)
HARTFORD, Connecticut, June 15 /PRNewswire/ -- XL Global Asset
Protection Services (XL GAPS), a property loss prevention
consulting firm and part of the XL Insurance group of companies,
today announced the expansion of its windstorm analysis services
for commercial and industrial properties. Tim Heinze, head of XL
GAPS, said: "Through our enhanced wind analysis services and our
expanded global team of risk engineers, XL GAPS can provide
valuable insight and direction to commercial property owners. We
can offer detailed exposure analysis, recommendations to implement
adequate property protection systems, and help developing effective
pre-emergency plans." "With the increase in coastal development
worldwide over the last 20 years, there is undoubtedly a heightened
vulnerability to severe windstorm events that can often be
accompanied by flooding from heavy rain or storm surge," Mr. Heinze
added. "No matter how active a hurricane season is expected to be,
businesses are wise to prepare long before any storm appears on the
radar screen and pinpoint where their properties might be exposed
to wind weather events." For the 2009 hurricane season, forecasters
at Colorado State University are currently predicting 12 named
storms, five hurricanes with two of them likely to be Category 3
hurricanes. Hurricane Ike was the most destructive storm of the
2008 season, making landfall in the US near Galveston, Texas at
Category 2 with a storm surge of approximately 18 ft., typically
associated with Category 4 or 5 hurricanes. Hurricane Ike resulted
in approximately $24 billion in damages to homes and businesses.
"In areas prone to hurricanes and other windstorm events, many
businesses have learned some hard lessons on how a natural disaster
can impact their facilities and then, in turn, their operations,"
said Ronald Hunstein, XL GAPS Vice President and a windstorm
specialist. "Fortunately, these lessons have resulted in a clearer
understanding of structures' vulnerability to natural disasters and
effective strategies that can help minimize property damage, even
in the face of nature's harshest forces." Available as a
stand-alone service or as part of an XL Insurance's general
property loss prevention survey for property insurance clients, XL
GAPS' windstorm specialists analyze a commercial property's risks
to windstorm damage. Based on client needs, XL GAPS offers a
variety of levels of analysis from a brief analysis of exposure and
deficiencies to a highly-specialized survey that outlines
recommended improvements, site loss expectancies and detailed
analysis of construction, occupancy and business interruption
information. XL GAPS' clients receive access to their final
windstorm analysis report via MyAnalysis -- XL GAPS' secure,
state-of-the-art online reporting tool. "Significant property
building damage during a severe windstorm can result from failure
of the roofing system, windows and doors, or the building structure
itself," said Mr. Hunstein. "Our specialists have an advanced
understanding on the hazard of storm surge wind inundation. In most
cases, our client exposures to storm surge were previously
unrealized prior to our field surveys. XL GAPS' wind analysis
services help property owners assess potential exposures and
outline corrective actions to lessen the impact of a natural
catastrophe event. This benefits not only the property owner, but
the insurance company and broker as well. XL GAPS' understands how
the current economic conditions are affecting windstorm capacity in
the market and our Windstorm Assessment Product has a direct and
positive impact on insurance buying decisions, and aggregate
exposure." XL GAPS provides property loss prevention consulting
individually tailored solutions to protect and enhance property,
production, and profit. XL GAPS, with approximately 150 engineers
and consultants in 18 countries, brings clients occupancy specific
experience as well as deep knowledge of specific hazards across
industries. More information about XL GAPS is available at
http://www.xlgaps.com/. XL GAPS is part of the XL Insurance group
of companies. "XL Insurance" is the global brand used by member
insurers of the XL Capital Ltd group of companies. More information
about XL Insurance is available at http://www.xlinsurance.com/.
Through its operating subsidiaries, XL Capital is a leading
provider of global insurance and reinsurance coverages and services
to industrial, commercial and professional service firms, insurance
companies, and other enterprises on a worldwide basis. DATASOURCE:
XL Insurance CONTACT: Christine M. Weirsky, XL Capital Media
Relations, +1-610-968-9395 Web site: http://www.xlgaps.com/
http://www.xlinsurance.com/
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