Greeley, Colo., May 24, 2011 - Arson is one of the most expensive property claims in the United States. Each year billions of dollars' worth of property and hundreds of lives are lost as a result of fires set by arsonists. That is why State Farm® teams up with law enforcement from across the nation and supports the re-certification process for these specially trained canines.
As the nation's largest property and casualty insurance company, State Farm is committed to helping law enforcement in developing and implementing programs that help curb crimes like arson and fraud. Twenty arson dog teams begin their three-day recertification class today. This class is one of three that will be held in the United States this year for teams that are associated with the State Farm Arson Dog Program. These highly trained canines and handlers will perform live demonstrations to detect accelerants like gasoline, kerosene, and lighter fluid at a simulated fire scene.
The press is invited to attend the training and a demonstration which will begin today at 10:30 a.m., at Windsor Fire Training Center, 31482 Weld County Road 23, Greeley.
“Arson and fraud directly affect us all,” said State Farm Vice President-Operations Troy Turner. “The monetary costs associated with damage to property results in higher insurance premiums for all consumers and the loss of life and injuries take an emotional and physical toll.”
Insurance fraud costs the property-casualty insurance industry - and its customers - about $30 billion a year, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) estimates. Fraud adds about $200 to $300 annually to insurance premiums paid by the average American household.
Since starting the arson dog program in 1993, State Farm has paid to train more than 250 dog and handler teams in 43 states, the District of Columbia and 3 Canadian provinces.
Tamara Pachl, State Farm Public Affairs, (970) 395-5252.
State Farm insures more cars and homes than any other insurer in the U.S., is the leading insurer of watercraft and is also a leading insurer in Canada. Our 17,800 agents and more than 68,000 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts - more than 79 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 34 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com® or in Canada statefarm.ca®.
