Text Messages Warn Customers of Likely Damaging Storms in Their Area
BOSTON (June 15, 2021) – Liberty Mutual Insurance is taking an innovative approach to keeping customers and their vehicles safe when a hailstorm is coming. Using Accuweather® forecast data and SMS text capabilities, the nation’s sixth-largest auto insurer alerts customers that damaging hail in their area is expected and encourages moving vehicles to a protected location. Liberty Mutual auto customers in 21 states can opt-in for this free, proactive service.
Hail is a leading cause of car and property damage in many states and produced more than 2.8 million insurance claims from 2017-2019, according to a National Insurance Crime Bureau review of Insurance Services Office claims data. In 2020 alone, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration recorded more than 4,600 major hailstorms.
Developed by Liberty Mutual’s innovation center, Solaria Labs, the hail alert program has grown from a pilot activity in Texas to now include 30,000 customers who have requested to receive a text message notifying them in real time when hail is forecasted in their area. Its effectiveness is evident through a recent survey in which nearly half of respondents (44%) said an alert prompted them to move their car to a safe, covered location, negating the risk of hail damage.
“We are constantly testing new digital insurance offerings and services that expand protection to our customers in ways beyond insurance,” said Liberty Mutual’s Head of Global Retail Markets Innovation and Solaria Labs, Adam L’Italien. “A value-added service like our Hail Alerts helps to create deeper connections with our customers by keeping them and their property safe from the unexpected.”
Liberty Mutual offers Hail Alerts in in Ala., Ark., Colo., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., La., Minn., Mo., Miss., Mont., N.D., Neb., N.M., Okla., S.D., Texas, Tenn., and Wyo.
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About Liberty Mutual Insurance
At Liberty Mutual, we believe progress happens when people feel secure. By providing protection for the unexpected and delivering it with care, we help people embrace today and confidently pursue tomorrow.
In business since 1912, and headquartered in Boston, today we are the sixth largest global property and casualty insurer based on 2020 gross written premium. We also rank 71 on the Fortune 100 list of largest corporations in the U.S. based on 2020 revenue. As of December 31, 2020, we had $43.8 billion in annual consolidated revenue.
We employ over 45,000 people in 29 countries and economies around the world. We offer a wide range of insurance products and services, including personal automobile, homeowners, specialty lines, reinsurance, commercial multiple-peril, workers compensation, commercial automobile, general liability, surety, and commercial property.
For more information, visit www.libertymutualinsurance.com.
About Solaria Labs
Solaria Labs, Liberty Mutual’s Innovation Center founded in 2016, is a global team that explores how trends will shape the future and develops new products to protect our customers in a rapidly changing world. In partnership with teams across Liberty Mutual, we develop new products that solve unmet customer needs and expand Liberty’s protection offerings. Solaria Labs is located in Boston, Singapore, and São Paulo. Additional details on Solaria Labs can also be found at www.solarialabs.com.
Contact: Greg Kessler
857-224-2393
gregory.kessler@libertymutual.com
