State Farm has reported receiving more than 8,800 claims following a series of wind, hail, and tornado events that struck multiple states on May 16-17, causing property damage across Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, and Indiana.
According to State Farm spokesperson Justin Tomczak, tornadoes in the St. Louis area and in London, Ky., were among the most damaging. The insurer has opened catastrophe customer care centers in both locations to assist policyholders.
As of the morning of May 19, State Farm said it had received approximately 4,110 home and auto claims in Missouri. Claims in Illinois totaled nearly 2,600, with about 1,170 reported in Kentucky and 950 in Indiana.
City Comptroller Donna Baringer of St. Louis said that around 5,000 buildings were destroyed or damaged by an EF-3 tornado. In Kentucky, news reports indicated that a tornado caused extensive destruction in London, including to residences, vehicles, and airport facilities at London Corbin Airport.
American Family Insurance, on the other hand, reported that its largest concentration of claims activity from storms occurring between May 15-16 was in Wisconsin. The company deployed mobile claims centers in Eau Claire and Mayville to assist customers. It also reported significant property and auto damage in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Missouri.
"Field adjusters specializing in catastrophes are supporting local claims employees to contact customers and organize inspections,” American Family said in a report from AM Best.
The company noted that the volume of claims could continue to increase as assessments proceed.
Severe weather has repeatedly impacted central states throughout the spring. Aon reported that storm systems, including tornadoes that swept through central and eastern parts of the US in the final week of April, are expected to result in insured losses amounting to several hundred million dollars.
Despite the surge in claims, State Farm has seen its share of good news, as a recent decision allowed the giant insurer to see a 17% emergency increase in homeowner premiums for State Farm General Insurance in California. The rate hike will take effect in June.
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