Dillard takes the lead on preparing residents for disaster recovery ahead of hurricane season

By Dillard University

Dillard’s Office of Community and Church Relations will host an insurance risk assessment workshop for churches, homeowners, renters and businesses on Tuesday, May 17, at 11 a.m. in Georges Auditorium, located inside of Dillard’s Professional Schools Building.

The event will feature three notable speakers: Patrick W. Bell, assistant commissioner for the Louisiana Department of Insurance; director for Swanson Insurance Agency, Greg Swanson; and Jo Ann Lawrence, deputy district director for the Louisiana District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

With hurricane season quickly approaching, residents will have the opportunity to get their current property and casualty insurance policies reviewed by licensed insurance agents to ensure adequate coverage. Residents should bring a current copy of their property insurance declaration page. “Having adequate property and casualty insurance coverage is an extremely important financial resource, and absolutely necessary to assist in the recovery and rebuilding process. Many residents have been notified by their insurance company that their annual premium will increase in the renewal year, and many residents were notified that the insurance company will no longer write policies in the City of New Orleans,” said Nick Harris, director of community and church relations.

Since 2006, Dillard University has been the leading higher education institution to assist residents in rebuilding their homes and communities as a result of Hurricane Katrina in the City of New Orleans.