State Farm Paid Over $3 Billion of Insurance Claims in 2020 Because of Single Reason
Lisa Steuer McArdle
· 2 min read
Mother Nature can certainly cause some serious damage. We all know that hurricanes fall into that category, but there’s another, even more commonplace force of nature that is resulting in a surprising number of insurance claims across the country—and that is hail.
In fact,
State Farm
saw more than 332,000 hail claims in 2020, which resulted in $3.1 billion in insurance claims.State Farm
reports that hail can damage windows, roofs, and gutters on your home. But your car isn’t safe either, as hail has been known to dent vehicles and crack windshields. According to 2020 data from State Farm, the average homeowner claim due to hail damage totaled nearly $12,000, while car insurance claims averaged more than $4,300. What is the best way to prepare for hail?
While you can’t control the weather, you make sure you’re prepared to deal with the damage it can cause.
Reviewing your insurance coverage is always a good place to start—not just for hail, but to make sure you’re adequately covered in other areas as well.
Here are State Farm’s other suggestions to prepare for extreme weather and the damage it can cause:
- Know what’s coming: Pay attention to weather alerts and take them seriously. Listen to the forecast when severe weather is predicted for your area.
- Take the necessary precautions before a storm. Put vehicles in the garage if you have time to do so before the storm hits. It’s also a good idea to close blinds and curtains to prevent broken glass from blowing inside.
- It’s good practice to keep a detailed digital record of your home through pictures and videos before any damage.
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A storm damaged my property—now what?
State Farm reports that it’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the claims process.
If you, unfortunately, find yourself with a damaged home or car after a storm, here are some simple steps to take:
- Document the damage with pictures. You can make temporary repairs to the damage if you need to, but save any receipts related to these repairs.
- Tell your insurance company—they will review your claim and policy, figure out what is covered, and arrange for payment for covered losses.
- Depending on the damages and the repairs needed, consider steps you can take to be prepared for another weather event, such as improved building materials like an impact-resistant roof (which may even qualify for an insurance premium discount).
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