Since Friday, General Casualty’s catastrophe response team has been inspecting damage and issuing checks for customers whose homes, autos and businesses were damaged in last week’s Madison-area hailstorms.
Policyholders who believe they suffered property damage during the recent storms are encouraged to contact their insurance agent or General Casualty’s direct, 24-hour claim reporting system at (888) 737-8256.
As of Tuesday morning, the Sun Prairie-based insurer expects approximately 2,000 claims due to Thursday’s storms, the majority consisting of personal auto losses in Dane County. In addition to the estimated $11 million in damages from Wisconsin, General Casualty anticipates $3.5 million in Iowa and Indiana claims.
“Just like any claim situation, we ask that policyholders report their losses as soon as possible in order to get the process rolling and expedite their repairs,” said Gale Harder, General Casualty’s assistant vice president of claims. “Timely damage repair not only helps customers get back on their feet, it also minimizes the risk of further damage to their property.”
Company officials recommend that policyholders document damaged property and keep a record of all expenses relating to the loss. To ensure consumers are dealing with a reputable service person and don’t become a victim of disaster fraud, the company also advises being wary of door-to-door sales people offering clean-up or repair services after a storm.
For more information contact Anne M. Smith.