ST. LOUIS—Victims of Thursday’s hail, rain and high winds have been busy starting insurance claims on their cars, homes and more. 

AAA Missouri, just one of dozens of insurance companies taking claims in the area, says it has already received over 200 claims for damage in Missouri and Arkansas. 

COUNTRY Financial, another insurance company with clients in Missouri and Illinois, says it has received hundreds of claims already. 

Here are some suggestions from both companies on how to deal with your claim no matter your insurance provider:

  • File digitally if that option exists 
  • File your claim as soon as possible. It can help prevent additional damage, and because of the high volume of anticipated claims, there may be longer-than-normal wait times for repairs
  • Take photos of the damage to your home or vehicle for your records. Avoid making any permanent repairs until the damage has been assessed
  • If there is spoiled food in a refrigerator, take pictures before throwing it out. Some insurers may cover the cost
  • Save all receipts from emergency repairs, including basic items such as tarps and duct tape
  • If you are using a public adjuster, keep in mind adding parties to a claim could add time and cost to your settlement
  • Be wary of scammers posing as contractors or dent-repair experts. Avoid agreeing to any repairs until you have worked with your insurance agent to determine your needs and coverage
  • If your car’s windshield is shattered and requires replacement, make sure to call your agent and read your vehicle owner’s manual. Many new-model-year safety features, such as blind-spot detection, lane-departure sensors, and collision-avoidance systems rely on sensors in and the placement of your windshield, so you may need to get these technologies re-calibrated if it’s replaced
  • If you were out driving when the hail hit and believe you sustained only minor cosmetic damage, you should still get your vehicle inspected. Many vehicles and their electrical systems can suffer extensive water damage from hail storms, and some hail damage may not be immediately apparen
  • Assess your vehicle policy and consider comprehensive coverage which covers physical damage to your vehicle not caused by a collision

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