2008-09-06 01:36:01 -

- As the East Coast prepares for the first hurricane to make landfall north of Florida since Charley hit South Carolina in 2004, Travelers (NYSE:TRV) national Catastrophe Response Center is mobilizing its Catastrophe Response Team along with a self-contained Mobile Claim Office.

While Travelers mobilizes its catastrophe response, the company urges all residents on the East Coast to make

preparations before Hanna makes landfall. A recent Mason-Dixon poll, which surveyed people from Texas to Maine, found far too few people are prepared for a hurricane. The poll uncovered that:

-- 56% have no family disaster plan,

-- 67% have no hurricane survival kit and

-- 85% have taken no steps to make their homes stronger since last year's hurricane season.

"Coastal residents need to have a plan for hurricanes, even if the storm is only a day away from making landfall," said Ray Stone, vice president of catastrophe operations for Travelers. "Early preparations will make it easier to deal with the storm's aftermath."

After the storm passes, Travelers will deploy its resources into the areas that are affected by the storm. These resources, including the Mobile Claim Offices, will begin helping customers in their recovery efforts as soon as it is safe. Up-to-date Mobile Claim Office locations can be found at www.travelers.com.

"Positioning our resources close to where the storm is expected to make landfall enables Travelers to assist all of our impacted customers as soon as it is safe," said Stone. "All of our claim professionals are dedicated to helping our customers through this potentially difficult situation."

Customers are advised to report claims to Travelers as soon as possible after a loss. Travelers claim professionals are available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

CLAIM REPORTING PHONE NUMBERS

-- Home and Auto Claims: 800.CLAIM33 (800.252.4633)

-- Business Claims: 800.238.6225

-- Flood Claims: 800.505.0193

Customers can find tips on what to do after the hurricane, or find additional information on how to file a claim, at Travelers.com.

About Travelers

The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV) is a leading property casualty insurer selling primarily through independent agents and brokers. Travelers understands that life and business are inherently dynamic and that the best way to serve customers is to deliver insurance in-synch with evolving risks. The company's diverse business lines offer its global customers a wide range of coverage in the auto, home and business settings. Travelers is a Fortune 100 company, with 2007 revenues of approximately $26 billion. The company has more than 33,000 employees. For more information on being in-synch, visit www.travelers.com.

Travelers Companies, Inc.
Matt Bordonaro, 860-277-7014
Cell: 860-202-3034
Sheila Trauernicht, 860-277-7461
Cell: 860-707-3907