By WMBD TV
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — In the past week, Country Financial received 1,700 claims, with 70% of those claims in Illinois and the vast majority reporting property losses.
That’s according to Jesse Kohlbecker, the vice president of claims and client services. He said they’ve had a busy month due to the storms.
“About 40% of those claims have already been estimated at this time. So, we’re working very, very hard to stay ahead of the losses to make sure our clients are taken care of quickly,” he said.
With severe weather hitting Wednesday, and definitely in the near future, Kohlbecker shared some strategies for reducing storm damage.
He said, if possible, keep a car sheltered in a garage, secure patio furniture, keep gutters clear and most importantly, have an emergency plan.
“We can fix cars and we can fix homes, but we want to make sure that our clients are safe,” he said.
Patio furniture can go flying during high winds, hitting vehicles and windows, causing significant damage, Kohlbecker said.
There are also ways to reduce more damage after a home has been hit, he said. If the roof is leaking, if safe, Kohlbecker recommends putting a tarp on top. He also said if there’s water in the basement, begin drying it up with fans and dehumidifiers.
“If our clients are uncomfortable doing so, they can always hire a third party to help them with those activities,” he said.
When severe weather hits, Country Financial sends in its Catastrophe response team alongside adjusters from other states. With more boots on the ground, they can begin reporting damage, streamlining the claims process to reduce delays.
When filing a claim, insurance companies have websites, phone apps and accept phone calls for claims. It’s important to get as many images and videos as possible to report damage.
Kohlbecker said it’s best to plan for the storm before it even hits.
“It’s so critical to have that annual meeting with your insurance agent to really understand what your planning and protection needs might be,” he said. Our agents do a fantastic job helping our clients select the appropriate policies and coverages.
“They take the time to explain those policies and coverages so our clients aren’t unsure of what will happen if they should encounter a storm loss,” he continued.
WMBD TV first reported this story. You can read the original story online at CIProud.com.
