Bermuda’s insurers yesterday urged residents to take the threat of Leslie seriously, saying phones were ringing all day yesterday with customers concerned about coverage.Insurance bosses said it’s tough to project the extent of damage a Category 2 hurricane could cause to the Island, because there’s so many factors to consider.And as BF&M president and CEO John Wight pointed out: “Ironically Bermuda has not to my knowledge had a category 2 hurricane. Hurricane Fabian was a category 3 and we have had several category 1s.”Freisenbruch-Meyer executive vice-president and general manager William Madeiros said one key message he had for residents was to take the storm threat very seriously. Excluding large hotels and Belco’s loss, it’s estimated that the market loss of Hurricane Fabian was some $200 million.Mr Wight said factors that could affect the level of damage from Leslie include: “Will Leslie be a direct hit with the eye over the Island or will it be to the east or west of the Island?“How well prepared will property owners be? Based on Fabian in 2003 property owners were overall very well prepared. Will it be high tide or low tide when it hits? Will there be twisters as part of the hurricane which happened with Hurricane Emily in 1987? There are too many variables to project with any accuracy the financial impact, potentially, to the Island.”He said a number of customers had called yesterday seeking to ensure “they are properly insured so that there will not be unpleasant surprises following a storm of this potential magnitude”.BF&M was still accepting new business, he said.Freisenbruch-Meyer said it was also “open for business” —- new and old.Mr Madeiros noted: “Hurricane Igor was a category 1 and it was a very unpleasant event.“Our phones have not stopped ringing, from existing clients making sure their premiums are paid and up to date and from clients who seemed to be unable to get quotes from other insurers. As of this moment we are continuing to renew and invite new business, subject to our usual underwriting standards.”Mr Madeiros added: “The good news is that without question we as a community are well aware of the potential for a significant event. Thank heavens Bermuda architecture and design is what it is and we know what a hurricane means and what precautions to take. On the other hand, even a modest category 1 hurricane is something that has grave potential.”The many factors that could affect the amount of damage Bermuda could see include whether Leslie picks or loses speed, whether it is real or borderline category 2 storm, he noted.John Doherty, executive vice-president of Property and Casualty at the Argus Group said the insurers was also handling many calls from concerned residents.“In response to the approach of Tropical Storm Leslie, we at Argus have been experiencing an increase in calls, both from those who we already insure and those looking to take out new insurance policies with us,” Mr Doherty said.“We intend to continue to write new business for as long as possible in advance of the expected storm but I urge people to contact us as soon as they can to discuss their options so that they can rest assured that should the worst happen they have cover in place.”Mr Doherty said the increase in calls was testimony to the fact that Bermuda residents take storm preparations seriously.“The reduced claims activity in the aftermath of the most recent hurricanes to come close to Bermuda also demonstrate these diligent efforts to protect friends and family, pets, our homes and belongings.“While at this stage we do not know the storm’s exact path or intensity, we can say that, without a doubt, complacency is never wise. We encourage everyone to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”For those in need of a refresher, he said a set of handy hurricane preparation tips was available from the Argus website at www.argus.bm, click on the ‘Hurricane & Weather’ icon on the home page.”Meanwhile, in the Island’s reinsurance community, industry blogger Artemis.bm was reporting: “While not likely to cause a market changing loss event, a direct hit from a category 2 hurricane on Bermuda would cause significant damage and disruption to the reinsurance industry given the number of companies based there.”