St. Louis Residents Overwhelmingly File Insurance Claims After Tornado
Thousands of insurance claims have flooded in following Friday’s devastating tornado in St. Louis. Angela Nelson, director of the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance, reported that the affected zip codes contain approximately 14,500 homeowners’ insurance policies and over 15,000 renters’ policies. As of Monday, 6,000 claims had already been filed.
To help manage the surge in claims, several insurance companies, including State Farm, have brought in additional personnel. Gina Morss-Fischer, State Farm spokeswoman, said the company deployed 250 extra staff members to assist with the claims process. “It is heart-wrenching. Our hearts go out to all of those who have lost a loved one, who have suffered a loss at their home, or have damage to their brand-new car,” Morss-Fischer expressed.
The presence of claims team members on the ground is crucial, according to Morss-Fischer. “Being here in person is so important. They can answer a variety of questions and come to a homeowner’s or rental property to assess damage.”
The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance is monitoring insurance companies to ensure that policyholders receive fair compensation. Nelson urged those who receive settlement offers they believe are insufficient to contact the department at 1-800-726-7390 for assistance.
As the community continues to recover from the disaster, insurance companies are working diligently to process claims and help residents rebuild their lives.
