Insurance claims pile up from storm

Local insurance agents have been busy answering questions and filing claims since last Friday’s storm.

“They’ll be calling for months,” said Jo Ann Stork, a State Farm agent. “It was an interesting storm to say the least.”

She said State Farm adjusters have been in the area since Saturday.

“I was with one on Saturday,” Stork said. “I was on the phone with customers that night and our first response team was here on Saturday. Most of (the claims) are south of town. Some are really bad.”

She said she is working to get all the claims processed as quickly as possible.

“If you have a loss, it’s our job to fulfill our promise to you,” Stork said. “My heart really goes out to the farmers south of town.”

She said claims have ranged from a hail damaged car to a tree through the roof of a home. Only a few claims to her office have come from within the city itself.

State Farm reported

117 home and commercial claims in the Fremont area and 50 automobile claims.

One of her claims was from a cottonwood tree that fell on a cabin at Woodcliff. She said it had just been purchased 14 days before the storm.

“Acts of God are covered,” Stork said. “Don’t worry, everyone else’s rates won’t go up because of this. We have a catastrophe fund to pay for storms.”

The last big loss storm in the area that she remembers was almost exactly 12 years ago �” June 20, 1996.

Allstate agent Wendy Koci said she has had 11 area claims, but almost 50 claims including the Omaha area.

“Valley and Waterloo were hit hard,” Koci said. “We started making claims Saturday morning. I usually like my folds to call me so I can get them a little better service.”

Locally, she said most reports were of hail and wind damage.

Insurance companies can no longer recommend contractors, but she said to make sure you check out anybody doing work on your home.

“You need to make sure it’s a reputable roofer,” Koci said.

Both agents said they feel for the storm victims.

“I hope it’s a long time before this happens again,” Stork said.

State Farm offered the following tips to homeowners with claims:

n When it safe to do so, make temporary repairs to prevent further damage. Save receipts if you purchase items such as tarps and plywood or other supplies to make repairs. Personal safety is paramount.

One of the results of severe weather is the loss of electricity. Without electricity, frozen and/or refrigerated products may spoil.

n Typically, a homeowners’ policy will cover frozen and refrigerated items spoiled during a power or mechanical failure caused by a covered loss. (The removal of a plug from the electrical outlet or turning off an electrical switch, unless caused by an insured loss, does not qualify as a power failure.)

n In case of a power or mechanical failure, policyholders should try to recover refrigerated and/or frozen items, but only when conditions are safe to do so.

If the power goes out, policyholders should remember the following guidelines:

n Keep the door to both the refrigerator and freezer closed, when possible, to help food last longer.

n Don’t remove food unless you know the power will be off for more than 4 hours. A full, working freezer should keep frozen for about 2 days after the power has been shut off. A half full freezer will keep everything frozen for about 1 day. The refrigerator section will keep food cool for between 4 and 6 hours after the power has been terminated, depending on the temperature of the kitchen.

n Keep an appliance thermometer in the freezer. If the freezer is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or cooler when the power returns, its contents are safe.

n Do not refreeze any food that has completely thawed unless you cook it first.

n Immediately throw out any food with a strange color or odor.

n Policyholders should contact their agent or claim representative regarding the specifics of their coverage.