Property loss prevention consulting firm XL Global Asset Protection Services is expanding of their analysis services for commercial and industrial property.

"Through our enhanced wind analysis services and our expanded global team of risk engineers, XL GAPS can provide valuable insight and direction to commercial property owners," said Tim Heinze, head of XL GAPS. "We can offer detailed exposure analysis, recommendations to implement adequate property protection systems, and help developing effective pre-emergency plans."

"With the increase in coastal development worldwide over the last 20 years, there is undoubtedly a heightened vulnerability to severe windstorm events that can often be accompanied by flooding from heavy rain or storm surge," continued Heinze. "No matter how active a hurricane season is expected to be, businesses are wise to prepare long before any storm appears on the radar screen and pinpoint where their properties might be exposed to wind weather events."

Colorado State University has predicted that the 2009 hurricane season will have 12 named storms, five of which will become hurricanes. The most destructive storm of the 2008 season was hurricane Ike that made landfall near Galveston, Texas. Although it was a Category 2 storm, Ike had a high storm surge that is usually seen with category 4 or 5 storms. Hurricane Ike left about 24 billion dollars in damages to home and businesses.

"In areas prone to hurricanes and other windstorm events, many businesses have learned some hard lessons on how a natural disaster can impact their facilities and then, in turn, their operations," said XL GAPS Vice President and a windstorm specialist, Ronald Hunstein. "Fortunately, these lessons have resulted in a clearer understanding of structures' vulnerability to natural disasters and effective strategies that can help minimize property damage, even in the face of nature's harshest forces."

XL GAPS can be part of a stand-alone service or in conjunction with XL Insurance general property loss prevention survey for property insurance clients. XL GAPS' windstorm specialists examine a commercial property to windstorm damage and then offer an analysis based upon the customer's needs. The analysis can range from a simple exposure and deficiencies to a highly detailed report of recommended improvements, site loss expectations and detailed insight of construction, occupancy and business interruption information. The final report is sent to clients through XL GAPS' secure, online MyAnalysis.

"Significant property building damage during a severe windstorm can result from failure of the roofing system, windows and doors, or the building structure itself," said Mr. Hunstein. "Our specialists have an advanced understanding on the hazard of storm surge wind inundation. In most cases, our client exposures to storm surge were previously unrealized prior to our field surveys. XL GAPS' wind analysis services help property owners assess potential exposures and outline corrective actions to lessen the impact of a natural catastrophe event. This benefits not only the property owner, but the insurance company and broker as well. XL GAPS' understands how the current economic conditions are affecting windstorm capacity in the market and our Windstorm Assessment Product has a direct and positive impact on insurance buying decisions, and aggregate exposure."