Insurers report claims increase

STAUNTON — If you woke up Wednesday morning to property damage because of the ice storm that blew through the Valley, chances are you had a hard time getting in touch directly with your insurance agent's office.

Numerous offices were closed because of the weather. Many callers heard recorded messages to call back later or to contact the insurance carrier directly.

Augusta Insurance Agency was one that remained open. Co-owner Steve Marshall still was taking phone calls despite no electricity or heat at his office in Staunton.

"We're getting cold," he said good-naturedly. "We've got our coats on."

Marshall said his office fielded a few claims before 11:30 a.m. but that it wasn't as busy as expected. "Our lines have been fairly quiet," he said.

Discovering property damaging can be disconcerting. Marshall suggested those wanting to report damage "call an agent so they can get an adjuster out there." He noted that some major carriers — like Hartford Insurance — prefer you call the company itself, and they will in turn promptly dispatch an adjuster.

Once the damage is discovered, don't do too much clean-up until an adjuster has assessed the situation, Marshall said, although it's up to the property owner to prevent additional destruction. "So if you have a hole in the roof you need to try and get that repaired," he said.

One type of insurance that can come into play following ice storms is food spoilage coverage, Marshall said, which is typically carried by grocers and restaurants. But he said area claims because of spoilage are low because power companies usually have electricity back up and running within 24 hours.

"Our power companies do such a good job," Marshall said.

State Farm agent Dave Alexander said damage caused by lightening, high winds, ice and falling objects are covered under a homeowner's insurance policy. And if your ice-laden tree falls onto your neighbor's house? The neighbor, not the tree owner, needs to get in touch with his insurance carrier, Alexander said.

Alexander's State Farm office in Stuarts Draft took more than a half-dozen storm-related calls early Wednesday morning. "We'll probably get a few more," he said, adding, "For this type of situation, it's about normal."

With forecasters calling for high winds later in the day, Alexander said more insurance claims could come rolling in. "If we can get the ice thawed before the wind comes, we'll have dodged a bullet," he said.

E. Thomas Jennings, owner of Prosure Inc. on Greenville Avenue in Staunton, said most of the claims his office received Tuesday were for minor damage to homes and cars.

"Nothing serious," he said. "Mostly homeowners with fallen tree limbs."


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