Farmers Reports 52% Jump in Q2 Homeowners Claims Due to Spring Storms

Water, wind and hail lead the race for main causes of loss to homes in the second quarter of the year according to the Farmers Insurance Seasonal Smarts Digest.

April, May and June are months known for their severe weather, especially in the middle of the country. More than one-third of all claims filed for 2013 and 2014 were filed during these months. This nearly doubles the number of claims filed during the first three months of the year.

“Spring storms, and the wind, water and hail they bring with them, can cause some serious damage and even destroy homes,” said Paul Quinn, head of claims customer experience at Farmers. “While homeowners can never predict what the weather will bring for the season, it’s possible to plan ahead, take precautionary measures and prepare for or possibly even prevent storm-related damage.”

States in the Midwest, a region commonly referred to as “Tornado Alley,” typically see the most damage from spring storms. In Nebraska, more than 70 percent of the state’s home insurance claims happened during the second quarter of the year. In Oklahoma and Kansas more than 60 percent of claims for the year were reported between April and June.

The Farmers Seasonal Smarts Digest is released four times per year to provide drivers and homeowners with knowledgeable, straightforward and proactive tips to help mitigate potentially dangerous and costly insurance losses. The digest examines a two-year window (2013 and 2014) of Farmers Insurance’s historical claims database to identify seasonal perils and the states where they most commonly occur.

Source: Farmers