2008-09-14 00:27:01 -

- As residents of Texas begin to return home and evaluate the damage caused by Hurricane Ike, USAA is recommending some simple steps for its members to begin the process of rebuilding:

Reporting Your Claim

If you've experienced a loss, contact USAA as soon as possible:

-- If you need to file a claim, you can report

it online at usaa.com or call 1-800-531-8222.

-- Once reported, claims received via usaa.com or by phone are processed identically. If you report your claim using usaa.com, there's no need to call.

-- Once you report your claim, USAA prioritizes it to reflect the severity of damage you experienced.

How You Can Help

Here's how you can help your claims professional accurately evaluate your loss:

-- Take reasonable steps to help prevent further damage to your property, such as covering a broken window. Keep receipts for what you spend on temporary repairs.

-- For more extensive damage, such as a hole in the roof, USAA can provide members who have their wind coverage with the company with access to specialized professionals who can make more extensive temporary repairs.

-- Photograph debris or destroyed items before having them removed.

Meantime, to help handle its customers' insurance issues arising from the storm, USAA has brought in more than 1,600 employees this weekend, including 600 in the San Antonio headquarters, to provide round-the-clock support.

In addition, some 400 USAA claims adjusters and support staff are on standby and ready to move into the affected area once it is safe to do so.

Once recovery efforts begin, USAA will have representatives in the area available to assist media outlets with tips on how to file insurance claims and information on how to avoid fraud schemes that come after every natural disaster.

More information on Hurricane Ike is available at usaa.com.

For USAA
Paul Berry, 210-913-1562
paul.berry@usaa.com