Only 18% Of Americans Approve Of Insurance Industry Handling Of Hurricane

New York, NY - In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, an on-line study of approximately 1,000 U.S. adults conducted by Ipsos shows that while nearly all respondents approve of the job being done by charities and non-profits, only 18% approve of the job being done by the insurance industry. Forty-three percent of Americans disapprove of the job being done by insurance companies and 39% are unable to take sides at this time. "The results for the insurance industry are troubling. The insurance industry rates below all levels of government (national, state, and local) and aid organizations in its response to the hurricane," said Thomas Miller, Regional Senior Vice-President and Managing Director of Ipsos Public Affairs in the US.

"The hurricanes that hit the Gulf Coast have had a devastating effect on people's lives and livelihoods, and could soon be having a devastating effect on the insurance industry. The tremendous damage wreaked by Hurricane Katrina will take unprecedented amounts of money and effort to fix. Tensions among the key players--the Federal, state and local governments, their disaster and relief agencies, the insurance industry and hundreds of thousands of policyholders--seem unavoidable."

This study also found that while almost 87% of Americans have auto insurance, only 67% have homeowner's or renter's insurance and only 8% have flood insurance. Further, less than half (47%) of Americans with a household income of less than $25,000 have their home insured, compared with 80% of Americans with a household income of $50,000 or more.

Methodology This study was conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs between September 22-27, 2005, among a representative sample of 1,064 adults nationwide. The margin of error is +/- 3.1 for all adults; margin of error for subgroups may be higher. The interviews for this study were conducted online.

For more information on this press release, please contact: Brian R. Scanlon Ipsos Public Affairs Washington, DC 202.463.2146

About Ipsos Public Affairs Ipsos Public Affairs is a non-partisan, objective, survey-based research company made up of seasoned research professionals. The company conducts strategic research initiatives for a diverse number of American and international organizations, based not only on public opinion research but often elite stakeholder, corporate, and media opinion research.

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About Ipsos Ipsos is a leading global survey-based market research company, owned and managed by research professionals. Ipsos helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and responses of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world.

Member companies assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media. They measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos member companies offer expertise in advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, and public affairs research, as well as forecasting, modeling, and consulting. Ipsos has a full line of custom, syndicated, omnibus, panel, and online research products and services, guided by industry experts and bolstered by advanced analytics and methodologies. The company was founded in 1975 and has been publicly traded since 1999. In 2004, Ipsos generated global revenues of e 605.6 million ($752.8 million U.S.).

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