State Farm’s April Cat Storm Losses near $1 Billion

As State Farm claims representatives continue to work with policyholders in the hardest hit areas that are recovering from catastrophic spring storms, the insurer already paid nearly $916,000,000 in claims from the April storms, a State Farm representative told INN.  The total is expected to continue to rise, the representative said.

If categorized as one event, the three most devastating April hailstorms, windstorms and tornadoes would be the seventh most costly homeowners' catastrophe in the company's 90-year history.

Through May, State Farm provided more than $2.5 billion in catastrophe claim payments to its customers across North America.

Combining April and May events, including the catastrophic tornado outbreak in Joplin, Mo., State Farm's policyholders have reported nearly 300,000 home, business and auto claims, and more than 4,300 claims professionals have been deployed around the country to more than 147 separate claim offices.

The most recent storms and tornadoes that raked Texas and Oklahoma this week are not included in these figures. State Farm's claims professionals continue to work with local agents, and agents and staff from neighboring communities to serve customers in multiple locations. The company's call centers are also aiding customers. As an example, State Farm's Jacksonville Catastrophe Operations center handled more than 32,000 calls in one day in late April.

"The country has been hit hard with an unprecedented succession of horrible weather and horrific losses. From the claims volume and types and extent of damage, you can easily characterize these storms as a 'Spring Hurricane,'” Brian Boyden, State Farm EVP, said. "Emergency responders, disaster relief volunteers and homeowner insurers are all contributing to the recovery effort."