SCHAUMBURG, IL – As the first full day of spring arrives and winter’s thaw begins, Zurich Insurance is urging businesses to prepare for flooding, noting that a large portion of the country has experienced longer periods of deep freeze this winter, as well as severe winter weather extending further south than usual. The announcement comes during National Flood Safety Awareness Week, March 16 – 22, recognized by The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) and the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) in an effort to help commercial property owners get ahead of rising waters.

Because of the record snow falls, longer periods of deep freeze and severe weather extending further south this year, even businesses that have not been subject to flooding in the past may find themselves threatened by rising waters.

“Flooding causes more damage in the United States than any other weather related event. It is critical that all businesses need to be prepared for flooding that will come with the spring thaw,” said Gregory Lanshe, Zurich Risk Engineering in North America. “Businesses need to understand their potential vulnerabilities and make sure they have either updated or created a flood emergency plan. In order to help protect their commercial property and avoid costly business disruption, they must have the appropriate resources in place to keep the water out when the time comes.”

Zurich urged commercial property owners to understand their exposure to flood hazards, take the following actions immediately to protect their commercial property from the floods that this spring might bring:

• Test flood protection equipment such as sump pumps and emergency generators to ensure its in good operating condition

• Identify low lying areas where water can easily get inside

• Verify that manual protection features, such as flood gates are available and ready for use

• Top off emergency generator fuel tanks

• Verify that needed staff and equipment will be available for timely action if there becomes a need to raise critical machinery and stock above flood levels.

** Note that additional actions might be necessary depending on circumstances.

More guidance for businesses facing floods is available through Zurich’s white paper entitled, “Threat of rising waters: Steps to take hours before a flood,” which lists steps to take when you have less than 24 hours before expected flooding. The information can be downloaded at http://www.zurichna.com/internet/zna/sitecollectiondocuments/en/windsto….

Flood involves water flowing overland, contacting customer property, and causing damage. Flood damage may be caused by conditions such as: Wetting of buildings, contents, or stock, lifting of floor slabs or outdoor equipment due to water buoyancy forces, scouring of soil from under or around foundations or sea walls due to water flow or wave action, and damage due to impact from water-borne debris.

About Zurich

Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) is a leading multi-line insurer that serves its customers in global and local markets. With more than 55,000 employees, it provides a wide range of general insurance and life insurance products and services. Zurich’s customers include individuals, small businesses, and mid-sized and large companies, including multinational corporations, in more than 170 countries. The Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, where it was founded in 1872. The holding company, Zurich Insurance Group Ltd (ZURN), is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and has a level I American Depositary Receipt (ZURVY) program, which is traded over-the-counter on OTCQX. Further information about Zurich is available at www.zurich.com.

In North America, Zurich is a leading commercial property-casualty insurance provider serving the global corporate, large corporate, middle market, specialties and programs sectors. Life insurance offered in the United States is issued by Zurich American Life Insurance Company, an Illinois domestic life insurance company. For more information about the products and services it offers and people Zurich employs around the world go to http://www.zurichna.com. 2012 marked Zurich's 100 year anniversary of insuring America and the success of its customers, shareholders and employees.

The information in this press release was compiled for informational purposes only. The Zurich Services Corporation does not guarantee any particular outcome and assumes no liability concerning the information set forth above.

Source: Zurich North America