NU Online News Service, Jan. 18, 3:22 p.m. EST

Responding to the earthquake in Haiti, insurance industry firms are arranging to provide the devastated nation with millions in financial aid from their companies and employees.

Among those making announcements of plans to donate to the relief effort have been several major insurers and at least one broker.

Payments for property and casualty claims in Haiti by insurers were expected to be limited since insurance coverage in that impoverished nation is reported to be minimal.

On Friday, Northbrook, Ill.-based insurer Allstate said its Allstate Foundation made a donation of $50,000 to the American Red Cross. The foundation will also match employee contributions up to an additional $50,000 for a total commitment of $100,000.

In partnership with the American Red Cross, the foundation set up a Web site for employees and agency owners to give to the relief effort at http://american.redcross.org/allstate-emp.

Chicago-based insurance broker Aon Corp. also announced it was making a $100,000 donation to the Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development efforts and would match up to an additional $300,000 in contributions from its colleagues around the world.

Also on Friday, Warren, N.J.-based insurer Chubb said it would head up a $500,000 donation effort, contributing $125,000 to Doctors Without Borders and the same amount to Share Our Strength.

Through the weekend and today, the P&C industry has continued its generosity.

On Sunday, Bala Cynwyd, Pa.-based Philadelphia Insurance Companies Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Jamie Maguire presented the American Red Cross with a $50,000 donation, teaming up with local Philadelphia television station CBS for "Operation Brotherly Love Help for Haiti."

Today, Zurich Financial Services Group said its Z Zurich Foundation would match up to Swiss Franc 250,000 (U.S. $243,926 at the current exchange rate) in charitable contributions made by Zurich employees to recognized charitable organizations.

The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation called on the industry to lend help to two organizations it recently supported with grants for their humanitarian efforts.

The IICF said the International Rescue Committee, with 75 years of expertise in emergency response, and World Cares Center, which supports local groups, are in need of funds to support the relief effort in Haiti.

"As an industry foundation, we can marshal our resources and make a difference through outstanding organizations like the International Rescue Committee and World Cares Center. IICF is encouraging our member companies to give as generously as they can to IRC, World Cares Center, or to other reputable relief organizations," said Elizabeth Myatt, New York executive director of the IICF.

Contributions can be made to IRC at www.theirc.org/donate/donatenow-haiti and to World Cares Center at worldcares.org/content/donate-world-cares-center.

The IICF is also asking to be informed of industry giving by contacting it through e-mail at [email protected].

Among the largest insurer contributions to the relief effort in Haiti announced last week was by a non-P&C company.

According to NU Online Life & Health edition, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans in Minneapolis, Minn., said it would contribute up to $1 million in a matching gifts program that it hopes will raise a total of $3 million (http://tinyurl.com/ydtnwpr).

Today, New York Life Insurance Co. said it would donate $100,000 and donate up to an additional $150,000 in matching contributions by employees and agents.