State Farm Responding to Tornados While More Severe Storms Threaten

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Apr 19, 2011, 01:21 ET

BLOOMINGTON, Ill., April 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- While the country braces for another severe storm, State Farm®, the nation's largest property and casualty insurer, has deployed hundreds of claims adjusters and additional support staff to assist with recovery in the wake of severe weather across the Midwest, South and portions of the Eastern Seaboard.

In addition, State Farm has placed claim adjusters and catastrophe call centers on standby as the National Weather Service says there is a possibility of tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail later this afternoon through Tuesday night from the Ozarks into parts of the Mississippi and lower Ohio Valleys. The deadly tornados that struck North Carolina and Virginia last weekend are the latest in a series of damaging spring storms to hit major portions of the U.S.

Hundreds of claim adjusters and support staff have already mobilized and deployed to areas around Raleigh, North Carolina and Gloucester County, Virginia. These responders are currently contacting policyholders and surveying impacted home and autos. Early reports show significant number of homes that will be declared uninhabitable or having sustained major structural damage. Claims are also being reported in Maryland, Delaware and Washington, DC.

Claim adjusters have been assisting customers in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Alabama and Mississippi where tornados last week left a path of destruction.

To date, State Farm has received more than 10,000 home and auto claims from these severe storms.

Take Caution.

As affected people recover from these catastrophes, State Farm is advising policyholders to take great care homes or properties are damaged by a storm. Suggestions include:

Following authorities' orders not to enter impacted areas until clearance is given
Staying away from downed power lines
Avoiding sharp objects, nails and broken glass in areas where there is significant debris.

For more on what to do after a disaster, visit:

http://www.statefarm.com/learning/disasters/learning_disas_after.asp

For people who have a claim, they can report it to their State Farm Agent, call 1 800-SF-CLAIM, or file a claim online at http://www.statefarm.com

SOURCE State Farm