Travelers Institute to Host Consumer Insurance Education Symposium in Houston

October 9, 2014

Event will address common misconceptions about insurance and the importance of keeping it up-to-date

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Travelers Institute, the public policy division of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV), today announced it has selected Houston to host its next Consumer Insurance Education symposium. The event, scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the Norris Conference Center, will address the importance of understanding personal insurance policies and regularly reviewing coverage to help keep up with life changes.

More than one-third of Americans do not evaluate their personal risks and insurance needs each year, according to the Travelers Consumer Risk Index, a national survey to help identify Americans’ perceptions of risk. In collaboration with the Houston West Chamber of Commerce, Cadence Bank and Cadence Insurance, an affiliate of Cadence Bank, the event will provide Houston-area consumers with resources to help them understand the fundamentals of insurance so they can better protect themselves and their loved ones from the unexpected.

“Home and auto insurance can be a complex issue and, by working with these respected local organizations, we would like to arm individuals with the information they need to help make the right decision when it comes to shopping for and purchasing their personal insurance policies,” said Joan Woodward, President of the Travelers Institute and Executive Vice President of Public Policy at Travelers. “Through this event, we hope to help consumers in the Houston metropolitan area better evaluate their personal situations and insurance options so they can protect their families and assets in the event of a disaster, whether that’s a hurricane, fire or car accident.”

The event will feature a keynote speech by Woodward, who will draw from her experience on Capitol Hill to comment on the current economic and political climates and how the understanding of insurance can affect an individual’s assets and personal finances.

Woodward will then moderate a panel discussion that will include the following local industry professionals:

  • Jimmie Gale Berg– Galveston Branch Manager, Cadence Insurance
  • Dee Ann Binion – Vice President, Cadence Insurance
  • Erick Geitner– Senior Vice President, Cadence Bank, mortgage division
  • Linda Jordan– Realtor, Strategic Moves Realty – Keller Williams

“Insurance impacts many parts of our daily lives, and choosing the right amount of coverage can be a daunting task for Houston families,” said Binion. “It’s an issue with long-lasting implications for the community’s safety and stability.”

The Consumer Insurance Education symposia series, launched in 2013, is a nationwide tour that is part of a broader company-wide consumer education program that leverages Travelers’ 160-year risk management expertise. Additional components of this program include the Consumer Insurance Guide and content to help prepare for and prevent property damage.

To learn more about the Travelers Institute, visit www.travelersinstitute.org.

About Travelers Institute

The Travelers Institute, the public policy division of The Travelers Companies, Inc., engages in discussion and analysis of public policy topics of importance to the insurance marketplace and the financial services industry more broadly. The Travelers Institute draws upon the industry expertise of Travelers’ senior management and the technical expertise of many of Travelers underwriters, risk managers, and other experts to provide information, analysis, and solutions to public policy makers and regulators. Travelers is a leading provider of property casualty insurance for auto, home, and business. For more information, visit www.Travelers.com.

About Houston West Chamber of Commerce

The Houston West Chamber of Commerce is located in the population center of Houston that is home to the Galleria Area, Uptown District, Westchase District, Spring Branch District, Memorial City, International District, CityCentre and the Energy Corridor District – an area of more than 8,000 businesses that employ more than 100,000 people in industries responsible for West Houston’s exponential growth such as oil and gas, manufacturing, technology, retail, medical, engineering and service firms. For more information on this event and the Houston West Chamber of Commerce, please call (713) 785-4922 or visit www.hwcoc.org.

About Cadence Bank

Cadence Bank, N.A., based in Birmingham, Ala., is a $7.1 billion bank with 80 locations in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. Backed by 127 years of financial expertise, Cadence serves commercial and consumer clients with a full range of innovative banking and financial solutions designed to keep pace with their lives. These products and services include commercial and consumer banking, small business banking, treasury management, international banking, specialized lending, commercial real estate, wealth management, investment and trust services, financial planning, retirement plan management, business and personal insurance, consumer loans, mortgages, home equity lines and loans, and credit cards. Cadence Bank and its affiliates, Linscomb & Williams and Cadence Insurance, are wholly owned subsidiaries of Houston-based Cadence Bancorp, LLC. Additional information about Cadence Bank is available at cadencebank.com. Cadence Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

About Cadence Insurance

Founded in 1966, Cadence Insurance is a full-service insurance agency serving business and consumer clients. As an independent agency with offices in Houston, Galveston, League City and Fort Worth, Cadence Insurance serves clients across Texas and the U.S. and represents many of the top-rated national and regional insurance companies. Cadence is a leading provider of all lines of personal and business insurance, life insurance, long term care and travel insurance. An affiliate of Cadence Bank, Cadence Insurance formerly was known as Town & Country Insurance Agency. For additional information, visit www.cadenceinsurance.com.

The Travelers Companies, Inc.
Media Contact:
Luke Shane, 860-277-4090
lshane@travelers.com

Source: The Travelers Companies, Inc.