National Insurance Crime Bureau issued the following announcement on April 28.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), released a three-year analysis of insurance claims associated with hail storms in the United States. The report is based on a review of claims data from ISO ClaimSearch® during the period of January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2019, totaling 2,769,362 hail loss claims.
Hail Storm/Damage B-Roll l Report l Avoid Contractor Fraud Infographic l Top 5 States Infographic l Dataset
The top five states for hail loss claims were Texas (637,977), Colorado (380,066), Nebraska (161,374), Minnesota (150,673) and Illinois (150,416).
The top five cities for hail loss claims during that period were Omaha, Neb. (54,153); Denver, Colo. (51,887); Colorado Springs, Colo. (38,044); McKinney, Texas (34,134); and Dallas, Texas (25,262).
Over the three years covered by this report, May had the highest monthly total for hail loss claims with 621,945 and June was next with 586,749. March (368,885), April (346,214) and July (277,363) round out the top five.
Of the five policy types providing hail loss coverage, Personal Property-Homeowners was the most affected with 1,711,094 claims or 62% of the three-year total. It was followed by Personal Auto with 734,985 claims and Personal Property – Farm with 153,737 claims.
While annual hail damage is generally a function of severe storm frequency and location, what is more predictable is the appearance of unscrupulous contractors— "storm chasers"—who swoop in promising a quick repair. These unsolicited approaches are red flags as nearly all post-storm repair scams begin with an unsolicited visit to a victim by a repair person.
"NICB encourages policyholders to use caution when selecting a contractor or other workers to help repair your property or replace your windshield following a storm," said Brooke Kelley, NICB vice president of communications. "Always check first with your insurance company or agent before signing any documents presented by a contractor whom you did not request to appear. It's why we say, 'If you didn't request it, reject it.'"
The following tips are also helpful:
- Get more than one estimate
- Don't be pushed into signing a contract right away
- Get everything in writing
- Require references and check them out
- Ask to see the contractor's driver's license and write down the number and the license plate on his or her vehicle
REPORT FRAUD: Anyone with information concerning insurance fraud or vehicle theft can report it anonymously by calling toll-free 800.TEL.NICB (800.835.6422)or submitting a form on our website.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL INSURANCE CRIME BUREAU: Headquartered in Des Plaines, Ill., the NICB is the nation's leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to preventing, detecting and defeating insurance fraud and vehicle theft through data analytics, investigations, learning and development, government affairs and public affairs. The NICB is supported by more than 1,300 property and casualty insurance companies and self-insured organizations. NICB member companies wrote over $525 billion in insurance premiums in 2019, or more than 82% of the nation's property/casualty insurance. That includes more than 95% ($253 billion) of the nation's personal auto insurance. To learn more visit www.nicb.org.
Original source can be found here.
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