BOSTON, Nov. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- "Hurricane Sandy was here."  This is the indelible signature she left for car and homeowners across a 1,000-mile region of the Eastern United States.  To help customers promptly and safely recover from the storm, Liberty Mutual Insurance has thousands of catastrophe claims specialists dedicated to handling Sandy-related claims, including property experts in the hardest-hit areas and specialists available by telephone.  In addition, Liberty Mutual has set up special home and auto claims mobile units in Freehold, N.J., and Garden City, Long Island, N.Y.

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Liberty Mutual also says it will not apply hurricane deductibles to customers' losses from Sandy.  Other home and auto policy deductibles will apply.

"Helping our customers in their time of greatest need is our primary focus, and we have dedicated considerable resources to ensure that we are well positioned to respond as promptly as possible to everyone who has experienced a loss from Sandy," said Ted Gramer, Liberty Mutual Insurance executive vice president and Chief Claims Officer, Personal Insurance.  "Once safe to do so, customers should reach out to us by phone, internet, mobile application, or at either of our two mobile customer care locations with their claims or questions."

Liberty Mutual home and car insurance customers are encouraged to first report their claims 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-2-CLAIMS (1-800-225-2467).  Liberty Mutual claims representatives also will report flood claims to the National Flood Insurance Program on customers' behalf.

For homeowners requiring urgent assistance, these dedicated claims response vehicles are open daily (8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekends):

• Wal-Mart, 326 West Main Street, Freehold, N.J.
• Lowe's, 700 Dibblee Drive, Garden City, N.Y.

(Please check www.libertymutual.com for updated locations.)

Homeowners can meet with Liberty Mutual Insurance catastrophe specialists at these locations to discuss their claims, obtain policy information, and in some cases get initial claims payments for covered losses or receive advances to cover anticipated out-of-pocket costs such as food, clothing, housing and personal items.

The aftermath of a hurricane can be equally dangerous, with severe flooding likely.  Liberty Mutual Insurance offers the following tips to help homeowners protect their property from further damage after Sandy.  These and more Hurricane Sandy claims information is available at libertymutual.com/prepare.

1. Make personal safety your first priority.  Wait for an OK from an official agency, either police or local emergency management, before re-entering your home.
2. Let your car dry out before trying to start it.
3. Avoid flooded streets when driving, even if the water doesn't look very deep.  Roads and bridges may be weakened or washed out, and wet roads can hide downed electrical lines or underlying currents that can carry your vehicle away.
4. Look for hazards, including broken glass and sharp objects, loose wires, broken gas lines or submerged electrical appliances.  Have all utilities and appliances thoroughly checked by a professional before use in order to avoid electrocution.
5. If your power has been disrupted, don't leave candles or your fireplace unattended, and keep the area well ventilated to avoid hazardous fumes or carbon-monoxide poisoning. If you use a generator, read the instructions carefully, and don't run the unit indoors. Using a generator improperly could cause a fire.
6. Keep circuit breakers turned off until the power is back on.  Then investigate for electrical system damage for frayed wires or burning smells.  Turn the electricity off if you detect these or other problems.
7. Check for gas leaks.  If you detect a leak, turn it off at the main shut-off valve, leave the house immediately, and notify the gas company at once from a safe location.
8. Boil water before drinking or cooking, or use bottled water.
9. Pump out flooded basements gradually to avoid structural damage.  A rate of about one-half of the floodwater per day should be safe.
10. Throw out any medicines or food – even canned goods – touched by floodwater.
11. Use the Liberty Mutual Home Gallery App to take an inventory of any damaged property or possessions.  Other than food or medicine, do not dispose of any items without the prior approval of your insurance claims adjuster.

About Liberty Mutual Insurance

"Helping people live safer, more secure lives" since 1912, Boston-based Liberty Mutual Insurance is a diversified global insurer and the third largest property and casualty insurer in the U.S. based on 2011 direct premiums written as reported by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.  Liberty Mutual Insurance also ranks 84^th on the Fortune 500 list of largest U.S. corporations based on 2011 revenue.  The company has over 50,000 employees located in more than 900 offices throughout the world.

The sixth-largest auto and home insurer in the U.S., Liberty Mutual Insurance (www.libertymutual.com) sells full lines of coverage for automobile, homeowners, valuable possessions, personal liability, and individual life insurance.  The company is an industry leader in affinity partnerships, offering auto and home insurance to employees and members of more than 14,000 companies, credit unions, professional associations and alumni groups.

SOURCE Liberty Mutual Insurance