Insurance Agents Sharpen Skills at Geology Workshop

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida homeowner insurer, Olympus Insurance Company, convened a workshop for agents at which a leading geology expert explained the facts and dispelled myths about how natural geological forces and human activities can alter underground conditions which, in turn, can alter the landscape.  The workshop was held in Gainesville and featured Sam Upchurch, Ph.D., vice president and senior principal geologist with Tampa-based SDII Global Corporation.

"As part of our ongoing commitment to help our agents better serve our policyholders, it is important to provide credible, timely and useful information to agents that they can share with our joint customers. Policyholders, supported by knowledgeable agents, can make better informed insurance decisions about protecting their most valuable assets," said William Lowry, president of Orlando-based Olympus Insurance Company.  "Making informed insurance underwriting and claim decisions also helps Olympus serve its policyholders better, while properly managing claim costs," Lowry added.

Dr. Upchurch is a well respected professional geologist who has consulted on over 1,000 water resources, engineering, forensic geology, sedimentology and related projects over the past five decades. "I welcome opportunities like this workshop to help raise awareness about the science of Florida's distinctive geology.  Olympus Insurance Company and its agents are in a unique position to help homeowners understand geologic events, such as washouts and sinkholes, so they can make smart insurance decisions," said Dr. Upchurch.

Crystal McInnis, who oversees Olympus' northeastern Florida region, said, "We are pleased to partner with our agents and be a trusted source of useful information, especially when it comes to understanding technical and scientific issues that can impact Florida homeowners.  Olympus Insurance is committed to continuously improving how we serve both our policyholders and our agents, and we are grateful that Dr. Upchurch is willing to share his knowledge and experience in this way."

Olympus Insurance Company will host additional workshops with Dr. Upchurch, including a similar program to be held in November in the Orlando area.  More information can be found on the company web site, www.oigfl.com.

About Olympus Insurance Company

Olympus was formed in 2007 with the mission of fulfilling homeowners' growing, unmet demand for coverage, along with superior quality service. Orlando, FL-based Olympus Insurance Company writes voluntary homeowners policies through a statewide network of over 2,000 agents. Approved to enter the Florida marketplace in May 2007, Olympus has received an A, Exceptional Financial Stability Rating from Demotech, Inc., a nationally recognized statistical rating organization. For further information on our homeowners' policies, please call 800-711-9386 or visit our company's website at www.oigfl.com.

SOURCE Olympus Insurance Company