INScompanies Blog

HARTFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aug. 28, 2006–A substantial proportion of American homeowners(a) are unsure of what homeowners coverage they have for specific circumstances, according to the “Travelers In-synch Homeowners Insurance Study,” released today by Travelers and conducted by Harris Interactive. If they are underinsured, even a seemingly insignificant event could leave their homes and finances vulnerable.

The research data showed that:

    –  Nearly three in ten (27 percent) are not sure whether their
        policy will cover the replacement cost of rebuilding if the
        home is damaged.

    –  At least one-quarter (26 percent) report they are unsure
        whether damage caused by natural disasters is covered under
        their policy.

    –  Over one-third (36 percent) are unsure whether their policy
        will cover damage caused by a hurricane.

    –  Four in ten (42 percent) are uncertain about earthquake
        coverage.

    –  One-quarter (26 percent) are unsure about flood damage.

    –  More than one-third (37 percent) are not sure whether their
        policy will cover hotel stays if their home is damaged.

Insurance Needs Evolve Over Time

“Life and business are dynamic, and so insurance needs change and evolve,” said Joseph P. Lacher Jr., executive vice president of Travelers Personal Insurance. “We are encouraging people to talk to an independent agent to get more information about their coverage and to discuss their changing needs. It’s all about managing risks, and keeping your insurance in-synch with your risks to put you in greater control.”

44% of Homeowners Have Not Revisited Their Insurance Coverage in Past Year

The Travelers survey asked more than 1,300 homeowners about their insurance to determine what they knew about their coverage, how often they reviewed their policy to ensure that it remained in-synch with their needs, and the ways in which they conducted that review. The results suggested that more than four in ten (44 percent) homeowners had not revisited their insurance coverage in the past year–some not in the last 10 years.

“It’s not at all unusual for homeowners to get insurance coverage when they buy a house, but not revisit it for years,” said Lacher. “There are so many things that can impact your coverage–remodeling, installation of burglar alarms, major purchases–but the survey suggests that few people are making sure that as those changes occur, their insurance remains in-synch with their lives.”

Reviewing Policy With Insurance Agent Increases Confidence in Coverage

The survey also reaffirmed the value of working with an insurance agent to make sure that coverage types and levels are where they should be. More than two thirds (66 percent) of those who last reviewed their policies with an agent strongly agreed that their current coverage was, in fact, in-synch with their needs.

“Homeowners should review their coverage before they have a claim,” said Lacher. “If something happens, being underinsured is an unpleasant surprise when coupled with a financial loss.”

“In-synch Challenge” Helps Homeowners Identify Common Risks and Problems Within Home

To help homeowners identify common risks, Travelers is offering the “In-synch Challenge,” a fun and informative interactive game on www.travelers.com that provides important risk mitigation information to consumers. Visitors will be asked to tour homes and businesses and to solve a series of common problems related to risks or exposures that policyholders typically overlook. For example, one game asks participants to correctly place smoke detectors inside a home. Another challenges participants’ understanding of high-worth items that can be found in the average living room. And a third asks small-business owners to spot areas where slip-and-falls might occur.

“The Travelers brand is about helping consumers make the best decisions based on the risks–known and unknown–they’re most likely to encounter,” concluded Lacher. “We’re focused on getting that message out to consumers, and as the survey makes clear, it’s a message that needs to be heard. That’s what having insurance that’s in-synch with your life is all about.”

About Travelers

Travelers understands that life and business are inherently dynamic and that the best way to serve agents and policyholders is to deliver insurance that evolves to stay in-synch with life and business as they change. For more information on being in-synch, visit www.travelers.com.

Travelers is a business of The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:STA), a leading property casualty insurer selling primarily through independent agents and brokers. The company’s diverse business lines offer its global customers a wide range of coverage in both the personal and commercial settings, including automobile, homeowners, construction, small business, oil and gas, ocean marine, financial and professional services, global technology and public sector services. St. Paul Travelers is ranked 85 in the Fortune 500, with 2005 revenues of $24.4 billion and total assets of $113.2 billion. The company has approximately 32,000 employees.

About the Survey

This survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of Travelers among 2,075 adults (aged 18 and over), 1,395 of whom are homeowners within the United States between May 30 and June 1, 2006. Figures for region, age within gender, education, household income and race/ethnicity were weighted where necessary to bring them in line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents’ propensity to be online.

With pure probability samples, with 100 percent response rates, it is possible to calculate the probability that the sampling error (but not other sources of error) is not greater than some number. With a pure probability sample of 2,075 adults one could say with a ninety-five percent probability that the overall results have a sampling error of +/- 3 percentage points. Sampling error for subsample results is higher and varies. However that does not take other sources of error into account. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is the 13th largest and fastest-growing market research firm in the world. The company provides research-driven insights and strategic advice to help its clients make more confident decisions which lead to measurable and enduring improvements in performance. Harris Interactive is widely known for The Harris Poll, one of the longest running, independent opinion polls and for pioneering online market research methods. The company has built what could conceivably be the world’s largest panel of survey respondents: The Harris Poll Online. Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States, Europe and Asia offices, its wholly-owned subsidiary Novatris in France and through a global network of independent market research firms. The service bureau, HISB, provides its market research industry clients with mixed-mode data collection, panel development services as well as syndicated and tracking research consultation. More information about Harris Interactive may be obtained at www.harrisinteractive.com.
(a)U.S. adults ages 18 and older who currently own the home they are living in.

CONTACT: Travelers
Media Contact:
Jennifer Wislocki, 860-277-7458
SOURCE: Travelers 
 
“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding St. Paul Travelers’ business which are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report or Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year.  

HARTFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–June 15, 2006–Travelers announced today that it now offers new resources to assist businesses with disaster preparedness planning. Two new online tools and a new Safety Academy class, entitled Business Continuity Planning, have been added to help Travelers customers create customized disaster recovery plans that will ensure optimum business continuity in the event of exposures from natural or manmade disasters.

Bob Brody, Senior Vice President, Travelers Risk Control, said, “Emergency planning should be at the top of every “To Do” list for today’s businesses. With more than a century of experience in risk control, Travelers is uniquely positioned to help its customers anticipate and respond to a wide spectrum of exposures from catastrophic risks faced by businesses and homeowners.”

The first new online tool is Disaster Preparedness and Business Continuity Management, an exposure guide available to customers and agents, on a CD-ROM that furnishes a practical, step by step guide for business continuity planning. The guide includes presentations, technical bulletins and checklists about topics including:

Hurricane preparedness;
Natural disaster protection, response and recovery;
Property and equipment recovery guidelines;
Health precautions;
A general overview of business continuity planning;
FEMA emergency management guide for business and industry.

This new tool contains another interactive resource, Open for Business(SM), made available by the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). This Internet-based tool is designed to help small- to medium-sized businesses create disaster recovery plans as well as mitigate natural disaster risks. This second tool is also available on the Travelers Web site.

Travelers Risk Control has also added a disaster preparedness class - that will be offered starting in June - to its Safety Academy agenda. The new course, Business Continuity Planning, will allow participants to explore the myriad aspects of disaster planning and is targeted at managers, supervisors and risk management personnel that are considering the development of business continuity plans for their organizations. Topics for discussion include: the definition of business continuity; the six phases of business continuity planning; a checklist to assist with emergency and recovery plans; function charts delineating responsibilities of business resumption teams; and recovery plan worksheets.

Marty Henry, Vice President, Travelers Risk Control said, “Our customers have asked for our help, and we’ve responded with simple-to-use tools and training to make sure that they create a business continuity plan before a disaster strikes. With these new tools, we assist them in finding peace of mind.”

For more information about the Safety Academy class, or to receive a free copy of the CD-ROM exposure guide, contact Ask-STA-Risk-Control@stpaultravelers.com. Agents may access www.travelersagents.com to order the CD-ROM.

About Travelers

Travelers believes that life and business are inherently dynamic and that the best way to serve agents and policyholders is to provide insurance that helps them stay in-synch with their lives. For more information on being in-synch, visit www.travelers.com.

Travelers is a business of The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:STA), a leading property casualty insurer selling primarily through agents and brokers. The company’s diverse business lines offer its global customers a wide range of coverage in both the personal and commercial settings, including automobile, homeowners, construction, small business, oil and gas, ocean marine, financial and professional services, global technology and public sector services. St. Paul Travelers is ranked 85 in the Fortune 500, with 2005 revenues of $24.4 billion and total assets of $113.2 billion. The company has approximately 32,000 employees.

CONTACT: Travelers
Media:
Laura Bradshaw, 860-277-7461
SOURCE: Travelers
 
“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding St. Paul Travelers’ business which are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report or Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year.  

Children’s Oral Health Is Priority; Parents Nearly 30% More Likely to Seek Regular Care for Children Than Themselves

NEW YORK, November 9, 2006 – A new study by MetLife reveals that most consumers (85%) believe there is a strong connection between oral health and overall medical health. Additionally, more than one-third (37%) of working Americans have established long-term relationships with their dentists that span six or more years. Consumers underscore their understanding of the link between oral health and medical health by citing preventive care as top on the list of reasons that they visit the dentist. These are encouraging findings given that clinical studies1 have revealed a correlation between periodontal disease and increased risk for serious conditions including heart disease and preterm births.

Children’s Oral Health A Priority
MetLife’s Oral Health Insights Study found that 60% of parents/guardians bring their children to the dentist two or more times annually. However, the study also reveals that less than half (47%) of those parents/guardians go that often themselves. While the lack of dental insurance and costs for dental treatment are factors preventing adults from seeing the dentist (only 24% of adults without dental insurance see the dentist twice a year or more), the oral health of their children appears a motivating factor. Half of parents/guardians with uninsured children take their children to the dentist twice a year or more, citing preventive care as the primary reason.

Fear Less A Barrier to Care than Lack of Insurance
MetLife’s study shows that one in three Americans without dental insurance rates their own oral health as fair or poor compared to one in five Americans with dental insurance, demonstrating that a division exists between the “haves” and the “have-nots.” Those without dental insurance are more likely to wait until an oral problem occurs to see the dentist. Nearly nine out of ten people with dental insurance who visit a dentist do so for preventive reasons in contrast to seven in ten people without dental insurance. More than half (54%) of employees who have dental insurance say they go to the dentist two or more times per year, however, only 24% of those without dental insurance go that often. Not surprisingly, those without dental insurance highlight cost as a top preventing factor – cited by 64%. Interestingly, fear of pain is not a large factor preventing regularly scheduled dental visits – cited by only 23% of adults as a reason.

“Visiting the dentist only when one has an oral health problem can compound the cost factor. A more successful approach to oral health care emphasizes personal risk assessment, early recognition, prevention and intervention when treatment needs are minimal. Dental insurance benefits can help eliminate the cost barriers that prevent many people from seeking the level of oral health care that is most appropriate for them – helping to reduce the likelihood of more severe oral health problems and additional costs in the future,” said Dr. Alan Vogel, MetLife vice president and national dental director.

Trust and Time Build Rapport and Increase Visits
In addition to insurance coverage, the MetLife Oral Health Insights study found the length of a patient’s relationship with his/her dentist has a strong impact on the frequency of their visits (both preventive and treatment-related.) Employees who sustain a six-plus year relationship with their dentists show a marked increase in the number of times they visit their provider. Over half (52%) of employees who have a six-plus year relationship with their dentist make visits at least twice a year, compared to 37% of all respondents. Nine out of ten people with these long-term dentist relationships also report that they are very confident in their dentists’ recommendations compared to seven out of ten respondents overall.

Younger Does Not Equal Healthier
With the popularity of teeth whitening treatments and oral cosmetics at an all time high, 18 to 34-year-olds may have increased sensitivity to the aesthetics of keeping their teeth looking good. However, one of the unexpected findings uncovered by the Oral Health Insights study is that Generation Yers and Xers exhibit multiple symptoms of poor oral health. They report a higher incidence rate of dental problems and a lower rate of dentist visits than their older cohorts.

Specific findings include:

• Almost one-quarter (24%) of respondents ages 18 to 34 say their gums bleed when they brush, compared to 14% of consumers ages 35 to 64.

• 27% of 18 to 34-year-olds say their teeth hurt when they drink hot or cold beverages, and 15% say that they have consistently bad breath – compared to 20% and 10%, respectively, of the older population.

• One-third (33%) of these younger adults say their teeth are discolored/loose.

• 42% of 18 to 34-year-olds visit the dentist once a year or less compared to 31% of 35 to 64-year-olds.

Although the younger population admits to more dental issues than their older cohorts, only one in five rates their own oral health as fair or poor, while one in four 35 to 64-year-olds give their oral health a fair or poor grade – indicating there may be a disconnect about what is good oral health.

Networks Can Make All the Difference
Despite strongly established dental relationships sustained over many years, consumers are becoming more loyal to their dental networks than to their individual dental providers. A motivating factor when choosing a provider appears to be cost as 77% of surveyed consumers report using an in-network dentist. The study found that 68% of adults that have a six-plus year relationship with their dentist would find a new in-network dentist if their current provider left the network.

“In this age of consumerism, Americans are both aware of the importance of oral health and sensitive to the cost of dental services. Because of this, the strength of a well-selected participating provider dental network is a key part of the value proposition. The fact that many patients who have built relationships with their dentist say they would terminate this relationship if the provider was not in the network is very telling. To encourage employees to seek dental care there should be a trusted relationship and that requires satisfaction of all the stakeholders – dentists and patients – with the network,” Dr. Vogel concludes.

The MetLife Oral Health Insights study was conducted by GfK NOP, a global top-five market research firm during the third quarter of 2006 among a nationally representative sample of 1,200 adults, ages 18 to 64, across the United States.

MetLife administers dental benefits for nearly 21 million people, more than any other commercial carrier. Tips and information on proper oral care, including risk assessment guides for periodontal disease and tooth decay, can be found at the online MetLife Oral Health Library at www.whymetlife.com/oralhealth.

MetLife is a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), a leading provider of insurance and financial services with operations throughout the United States and the Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific regions. Through its domestic and international subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife, Inc. reaches more than 70 million customers around the world and MetLife is the largest life insurer in the U.S. (based on life insurance in-force). The MetLife companies offer life insurance, annuities, auto and home insurance, retail banking and other financial services to individuals, as well as group insurance, reinsurance and retirement & savings products and services to corporations and other institutions. For more information, please visit www.metlife.com.

1 Lindhe, J., Karring, T., & Lang, N.P. Clinical Periodontology and Implant Dentistry, (Chapter 16) Fourth Edition, Blackwell Munksgaard, Oxford, UK, 2003. Jeffcoat, M.K., et. al., “Periodontal disease and pre-term birth: Results of a pilot intervention study,” Journal of Dental Research, 82:1446, 2003.

Contact:
Karen Eldred
(212) 578-9561

Warwick, RI — November 8, 2006 — Auto manufacturers have rolled out 2007 new car lines, and consumers can find great deals as car dealers will be seeking to unload 2006 inventories. However, new car buyers should make certain that they have auto insurance that properly protects their sizable investments—or they may regret it.

“Take a few minutes to ensure that you truly have the auto insurance you need,” said Ron Moore, manager of product development at MetLife Auto & Home. “Surprisingly, a new car depreciates up to 30 percent during the first year, and many insurers will take a deduction for depreciation during this time. That means that a person could pay $20,000 for a vehicle, but only receive $14,000 if it is ‘totaled.’ In addition, if you have a loan on the vehicle or if the vehicle is leased, the bank or leasing company could ask you to pay for the difference between the amounts the insurance company pays and the payoff amount of the loan or lease. As a result, you might have to pay several thousand dollars out of your pocket.”

Moore also noted that many people assume all of the features of their new vehicle are automatically covered. “People just assume their auto insurance will cover the entire vehicle and everything in it,” stated Moore. “If your new vehicle has any add-ons that are not standard equipment, such as a mobile video player for the kids or a GPS or navigation system, they may not be covered by some insurance companies. By asking the right questions, however, you can avoid some nasty surprises, and also, find ways to save money on the insurance you’re purchasing.”

Not every insurance policy is the same, and many consumers miss out on available insurance discounts. So, before purchasing a new vehicle, ask the following questions:

• What does my auto coverage actually cover? Determine in advance the level of protection actually afforded under the terms of the policy. For example, if your new car is damaged beyond repair, will your auto insurer replace the vehicle with a new one, or take that deduction for depreciation?

• Is image everything? Certain cars look great and catch the eye, but you may end up paying more for the flair. Cars that are expensive to repair or have historically higher theft rates carry higher insurance costs. Specialty vehicles and sports cars typically cost more to insure.

• If my new auto is damaged beyond repair, would I be able to pay off the loan or lease? Does my insurance company offer Lease or Loan Gap coverage?

• Would the extras that were added to my auto, such as special rims and tires, or video players, be covered if an accident occurred? Would my auto insurer cover the whole cost of the customization, or would they only pay a limited amount?

• Can I use the accessories to my advantage? If your new vehicle comes equipped with such things as anti-theft/alarm devices or anti-lock brakes, you may qualify for discounts.

• Are there other discounts that I qualify for? Insurers offer discounts for a number of factors: driving record, certain safe driving courses, the number of drivers using the vehicle, low annual mileage, and whether the vehicle is kept in a garage overnight or parked on the street.

• Can my good driving record work for me? In the event of a loss, certain insurance companies will reward customers for good driving habits, by reducing your deductible for each year of loss-free driving. Make sure to ask whether your company offers it.

• How safe is the vehicle? Besides ensuring greater peace of mind, vehicles that are considered “crashworthy” usually cost less to insure. Before making your final decision, pay a visit to www.highwaysafety.org to rate your prospective purchase.

To get a better feel for the safety level of a prospective purchase, MetLife Auto & Home offers a free brochure called “Shopping for a Safer Car.” This informative 20-page booklet outlines what safety factors should be considered, to reduce the risk of death or serious injury in the event of a crash. Another free brochure, on “Injury, Collision, and Theft Losses,” summarizes the most recent insurance injury, collision, and theft losses of passenger cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs. Both have been co-branded with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and are available by calling 1-800-638-5433 (MET-LIFE).

MetLife Auto & Home®, a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), is one of the nation’s leading personal lines property and casualty insurance companies, insuring over 3.8 million autos and homes. MetLife Auto & Home has developed a reputation for innovation in product design, being the first insurer to introduce certain product enhancements that provide greater value to consumers, including Identity Theft resolution services to both its auto and home insurance customers, offered at no additional charge. Identity theft resolution services are not available in all states, such as Massachusetts (available homeowners only) and North Carolina. The company was named among the industry’s leaders in customer service according to J.D. Power and Associates 2005 Auto and Homeowners Insurance Studies SM. For more information about MetLife® and its affiliates, visit www.metlife.com.

MetLife Auto & Home is a brand of Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company and its affiliates, Warwick, RI.

Contact:
Ted Mitchell
(401) 827-3236
 
For Media:
David Hammarstrom
(401) 827-2273

Income Protection Benefits and Education Integral for Successful Transition to Consumer Driven Health Plans

NEW YORK, July 26, 2006 – Approximately half of all short term disability insurance claims MetLife receives each year is a result of the five most expensive diseases and illnesses in the United States in terms of medical expenditures.1  These five ailments – heart conditions, trauma, cancer, mental disorders and pulmonary conditions – account for an average of 60% of all lost workdays due to a short term disability (STD), according to a MetLife analysis of over 1.5 million STD income insurance claims.

Employers can successfully utilize the relationship between medical expenditures and disability absences to develop a workplace strategy for mitigating rising health care costs, managing absences, and easing employees’ concerns as they face increased responsibility for their health care decisions.

“Lost workdays for employers can cause decreased productivity with a negative impact to the bottom line. Lost workdays for employees can mean a negative impact to their personal finances – especially alarming at a time when they are also facing a spike in out-of-pocket medical expenditures due to an illness,” says Ronald Leopold, MD, MetLife vice president, Employer Sponsored Benefits.

By understanding the link between medical expenses and disability absences, employers can leverage the right resources at the right time to help keep employees healthy and at work. For example, employers can work to ensure that STD claimants have access to health and medical information resources to prevent more serious (and costly) conditions further down the road. Educated employees, on the other hand, are better able to make informed decisions regarding their workplace benefits options and personal risk exposures.

“The trend toward consumer driven health plans creates a critical risk management shift from employer to employee. As employees assume more financial responsibility for their health care decisions, other workplace benefits take on an even more critical role for closing financial protection gaps,” adds Dr. Leopold.

Transitioning to consumer driven health plans can be made easier for individuals – especially those who have a serious injury or illness – if employers provide needed assistance in the form of educational resources, disease management and wellness programs, and financial protection benefits.

Dr. Leopold suggests that employers consider:

- offering workplace programs that encourage a good diet, exercise and a generally healthy lifestyle;
- promoting educational resources for employees so that they better understand how their good health choices may help mitigate future out-of-pocket medical expenses;
- utilizing aggregate medical and disability income insurance claims experience to determine which health and wellness programs will be most beneficial – with the greatest return on investment – for their employee population;
- using life-stage benefits communications and offerings to maximize employees’ satisfaction with their workplace benefits offerings. For example, because employees experience trigger events at different stages of their life, they require the educational resources, tools and workplace benefits that can be customized to meet their needs.

The MetLife analysis of disability causes and lost workdays examined the number of group STD claims filed with the insurer from 2001 to 2005. The average number of lost workdays was then calculated for the five most expensive medical conditions.

MetLife has made available a new employer guide, “Closing the Gap in Consumer Driven Health Care: How Short Term Disability Income Protection Can Ease the Transition.” The guide illustrates how a STD program can provide insights into medical expenditures for employers as well as a critical financial safety net for employees – especially for those transitioning to health savings accounts and high deductible plans. The free guide is available at www.whymetlife.com/disabilitypr.

MetLife, a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) is a leading provider of insurance and other financial services to millions of individual and institutional customers throughout the United States. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife, Inc. offers life insurance, annuities, automobile and homeowner’s insurance and retail banking services to individuals, as well as group insurance, reinsurance and retirement and savings products and services to corporations and other institutions. Outside the U.S., the MetLife companies have direct insurance operations in Asia Pacific, Latin America and Europe. For more information, please visit www.metlife.com.

1 The Five Most Costly Medical Conditions, 1997 and 2002: Estimates for the U.S. Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population, Agency for Healthcare Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Research and Quality, May 2005.

Contact:
Karen Eldred
(212) 578-9561