LAKELAND, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GEICO’s Catastrophe Claims Response Team (CAT) is on standby and ready to assist as Tropical Storm Nate moves through the northwest Caribbean Sea. As Tropical Storm Nate nears the U.S. Gulf Coast it could become a Category 1 hurricane with wind speeds 74 to 95 miles per hour or greater.
GEICO urges policyholders to take all necessary steps to protect their families, their homes and their vehicles prior to the storm.
Report any losses as early as possible on the GEICO mobile, GEICO.com or call (800) 841-3000 as soon as any storm damage affects them. Our goal is to quickly help get people back on the road.
If you should get caught in heavy rains remember:
- Avoid walking or driving through high water – Six inches of moving water can knock you down, and a foot can sweep your vehicle away according to Ready.gov.
- Reduce your speed – If you need to drive in the rain, reducing your speed reduces the chances of hydroplaning. If you hydroplane, immediately take your foot off the accelerator. A rotating tire has traction, while a sliding one does not.
- Maintain a safe distance – Increasing the distance you would normally have between the vehicle ahead reduces the chance of a collision.
- Turn on your headlamps – Simply turning on your headlamps makes you more visible to others.
- When to abandon the car – Ready.gov recommends that you only abandon your vehicle if the flood water is rising around your vehicle, but is not moving. Then proceed to higher ground.
Additional information is available at GEICO’s online Catastrophe Center with preparedness tips, links to other important hurricane information, and GEICO’s Catastrophe Response Team. For a complete hurricane preparation checklist, log onto GEICOMore.com and additional tips. Should you need to evacuate please click on safe driving in the heavy rain and getting your home Flood-Ready.
