Hurricane Katrina devastated parts of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi on August 29, 2005, having already struck south Florida just a few days earlier. On September 25, 2005, Hurricane Rita battered the Gulf Coast again; then, on October 17, 2005, Hurricane Wilma struck Florida.

The scope and nature of the destruction of these storms is unlike any other natural disaster in U.S. history. In addition to tremendous windstorm and storm surge damage along the Gulf Coast, the flooding and evacuation of New Orleans was unprecedented. The tremendous loss of life and property is tragic and continues to scar our nation as a whole. Even though more than a year has already passed, it will take many more years to rebuild what has been lost in these communities; insurers will continue to take on a central role in that rebuilding. AIA member companies have been working diligently with their policyholders in all areas hit by these hurricanes in order to help them rebuild their homes, businesses and communities.

The American Insurance Association and our member companies are very proud to be a key part of the nation's disaster response and recovery system. Insurers have processed well over 90% of claims and are expected to pay approximately $60 billion for the 2005 hurricanes, and are actively participating in the economic recovery of communities victimized by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma.

Hurricane Katrina and the other recent natural catastrophes focused renewed attention on the role that private sector insurers play in managing natural disaster risk. Please click here to view the holistic, national AIA Catastrophe Agenda, which contains specifics proposals that will help reduce the personal and economic toll of hurricanes and other natural disasters.