Press release -
Storm Emma – Allianz UK update
Following Storm Emma and the ‘Beast from the East’, Allianz claims handlers have been extremely busy helping customers with their claims.
Here is an update on the current situation:
We have experienced a 100% increase in the number of customer calls to our household claims teams and 75% in commercial property. Across motor we have received over 1000 calls in one morning, which is approximately 200 more calls than expected on a daily basis.
Claims colleagues have been reassigned to claims helplines to help deal with the surge in customer calls. In household claims for example, the number of employees doubled to ensure customers were dealt with promptly.
Allianz’s claims operational manager, Jeremy Trott said:
“We have received a significant increase in calls from customers affected by Storm Emma. To meet this extra demand we have doubled the number of claims handlers in the appropriate areas. We expect more calls as the snow melts when burst pipes unfreeze and this becomes a serious issue for our customers.
“We were well prepared for a severe weather incident and implemented our plans which included contacting our customers before the event to provide advice".
Allianz has the following advice for the people that may think they have a frozen pipe:
- Turn off the stopcock. It can normally be found under the kitchen sink or in the downstairs toilet
- Remove as much furniture and electrical equipment in particular away from where an escape of water might cause damage
- Open the tap closest to the area, and begin gently warming the pipe with a hairdryer or hot water bottle, starting from the end closest to the tap and working away from the faucet.
Although damage to pipes occurs when they freeze, bursts only become apparent when the pipe begins to thaw.
ENDS
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The information contained in this press release relates to Allianz Insurance plc. Allianz Insurance plc is one of the largest general insurers in the UK and part of the Allianz Group.
The Allianz Group is one of the world's leading insurers and asset managers with more than 86 million retail and corporate customers. Allianz customers benefit from a broad range of personal and corporate insurance services, ranging from property, life and health insurance to assistance services to credit insurance and global business insurance. Allianz is one of the world’s largest investors, managing over 650 billion euros on behalf of its insurance customers while our asset managers Allianz Global Investors and PIMCO manage an additional 1.4 trillion euros of third-party assets. Thanks to our systematic integration of ecological and social criteria in our business processes and investment decisions, we hold a leading position in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. In 2016, over 140,000 employees in more than 70 countries achieved total revenue of 122 billion euros and an operating profit of 11 billion euros for the group.
These assessments are, as always, subject to the disclaimer provided below.
Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements
The statements contained herein may include prospects, statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management's current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results, performance or events may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements.
Such deviations may arise due to, without limitation, (i) changes of the general economic conditions and competitive situation, particularly in the Allianz Group's core business and core markets, (ii) performance of financial markets (particularly market volatility, liquidity and credit events), (iii) frequency and severity of insured loss events, including from natural catastrophes, and the development of loss expenses, (iv) mortality and morbidity levels and trends, (v) persistency levels, (vi) particularly in the banking business, the extent of credit defaults, (vii) interest rate levels, (viii) currency exchange rates including the euro/US-dollar exchange rate, (ix) changes in laws and regulations, including tax regulations, (x) the impact of acquisitions, including related integration issues, and reorganization measures, and (xi) general competitive factors, in each case on a local, regional, national and/or global basis. Many of these factors may be more likely to occur, or more pronounced, as a result of terrorist activities and their consequences.
No duty to update
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