The insurance industry is all about meeting people's needs. The need for insurance coverage, the need for financial protection, the need to adjust plans due to budgetary concerns or life-changing events.
Now, the industry is meeting the needs of those in Haiti with an outpouring of donations, manpower, and support.
Since the 7.0 earthquake hit Port-au-Prince on Jan. 12, I've received at least three to four press releases daily about brokerage agencies and carriers offering monetary support to quake survivors, victim's families, and other pressing needs. U.S.-based groups such as Doctors Without Borders and National Nurses United are raising money to send volunteer medical workers to Haiti. The list goes on and on.
There is no shortage of ways to offer your support – no matter the amount – through either financial donations or volunteer work, if you can spare the time. My own company today sent out an email asking each office to gather contributions and send them to our home office. Perhaps your own agencies and carriers are involved in similar efforts – call human resources or ask around if you haven't already heard of in-house efforts.