After the Derecho Storm, Claims Are Pouring In

As the mid-Atlantic states continue to recover from last month’s destructive “derecho” storm system, insurance claims have been pouring in by tens of thousands.

In Maryland, over 30,000 derecho-related claims have been filed by Maryland policyholders as of July 16, according to early estimates from P/C insurers. And that number is expected to rise in the weeks ahead, Maryland Insurance Administration spokesperson Vivian Laxton said.

State Farm, the largest U.S. home and auto insurer, told Insurance Journal that as of July 16, it received some 6,240 derecho-related property claims and 1,480 auto claims in Maryland alone. The company also noted that in Virginia, 5,910 derecho-related property claims and 1,940 auto claims have been filed.

“The derecho was largely a wind event. We have many reports of downed trees on vehicles and structures,” State Farm said. So far, State Farm received over 38,500 derecho-related property claims and over 13,700 auto claims from the following 10 states: Indiana, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, Illinois, South Carolina, Kentucky, New Jersey, and North Carolina.