As Californians rush to help victims of Hurricane Katrina, they are reminded of their own threat of wildfires, earthquakes, floods and other hazards. For many families, survival and recovery may depend on a carefully-crafted household disaster plan. 

The Insurance Information Network of California is the recipient of this year’s prestigious Silver Anvil Award, sponsored by the Public Relations Society of America. The Silver Anvil, which recognizes outstanding achievement in strategic public relations planning and implementation, was presented during the Silver Anvil Celebration Event held June 9 in New York City.

After two sizeable earthquakes in less than a week, Californians have had a jarring reminder of their unsettled landscape. But with less than 15 percent of California homeowners purchasing earthquake policies, are their finances on equally shaky ground? With recent changes in bankruptcy laws, walking away after a natural disaster may not be a viable solution for uninsured losses.

An injured athlete can cost his team a game, but without a financial game plan, a team can lose millions. As highly prized baseball players take to the field this spring, they and their teams exercise financial health with a regimen of insurance coverage. 

PDF of a presentation by Robert Hartwig, Chief Economist of the Insurance Information Institute, titled "P/C Insurance Industry Overview & Outlook -- Focus on California Markets."