Provided by Mercer: 25/2/09
Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc (MMC) will offer support free-of-charge to victims of the devastating Victorian bush fires. There three areas in which MMC will assist include; salvaging lost photos, making insurance claims, and advice for financial recovery.
Three of MMC’s operating companies in Australia – Mercer, Marsh and Kroll – are providing this practical support to aid fire victims in beginning the process of rebuilding their lives.
Salvaging lost memories – free digital photo recovery
Fire victims should know they may be able to salvage some of their memories if they can recover any hard drives or other digital hardware.
Kroll Ontrack has the capability to recover digital images and other data from even the most damaged, burned or water soaked hard drives, and will offer access to its Ontrack Data Recovery services to anyone who has lost digital photos in the fire.
Adrian Briscoe, General Manager for Ontrack Data Recovery in Australia, said “Precious family photos and the memories they hold cannot be replaced by insurance, but we may be able to help by recovering digital files for fire victims. Knowing that photos of loved ones can be recovered may provide some hope for the many Victorians that have lost all of their belongings in these fires.”
Kroll has helped victims from the North Queensland floods, Hurricane Katrina and the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster in the US to recover their digital photos from damaged hardware.
For information please contact Kroll Ontrack 1800 872 259.
Starting again on the right track – speak to a Mercer financial adviser, free of charge
In the coming weeks, some Mercer financial advisers will be available to provide free preliminary financial advice to people affected by the bushfires. This general advice may provide a starting point for bushfire victims by helping them to understand some of the financial issues they may need to think about in the wake of the disaster.
Peter Promnitz, Chief Executive of Mercer in Australia, said: “Our hearts go out to all those who have been affected by these devastating fires. We understand that many people have to rebuild their lives and will need good advice to help them move forward. Some of Mercer’s financial advisers may be able to help people work through the next steps by providing some free preliminary financial advice.”
Mercer (Australia) Pty Ltd operates as a Corporate Authorised Representative of Mercer Investment Nominees Limited throughout Australia.
To speak with a Mercer financial adviser, please contact the Mercer Helpline on 1800 633 403.
Free insurance claims support for businesses damaged in bushfires
Marsh, the insurance broker and risk adviser, will offer its assistance free of charge to any business not currently represented by a broker that has sustained bushfire damage.
These businesses can contact Marsh with general queries and for assistance with lodging claims.
Marsh Pacific CEO, David Bidmead said, "People are facing incredible challenges at this time, losing not only homes but perhaps small businesses as well. In offering these services, we can only hope to ease some of their burden by making experts available to business owners to help them navigate the insurance claims process.”
The number for businesses to call is 02 8864 8279
MMC is a global professional services firm providing advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy and human capital. It is the parent company of a number of the world's leading risk experts and specialty consultants, including Marsh, the insurance broker and risk adviser; Guy Carpenter, the risk and reinsurance specialist; Mercer, the provider of HR and related financial advice and services; Oliver Wyman, the management consultancy; and Kroll, the risk consulting firm. With more than 55,000 employees worldwide and annual revenue exceeding $11 billion, MMC provides analysis, advice and transactional capabilities to clients in more than 100 countries. Its stock (ticker symbol: MMC) is listed on the New York, Chicago, and London stock exchanges. MMC's website address is mmc.com
This information has been prepared by Mercer (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 32 005 315 917 for general information only. The information does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Therefore, you should not act on this information if you have not considered the appropriateness of this information to your personal objectives, financial situation and needs. You should consult a licensed or appropriately authorised financial adviser before making any investment decision.
