Nearly 70 percent of all hail-related auto claims for 2013 and 2014 were filed in April, May and June, according to Farmers Insurance. States in the Midwest and Southwest reported the highest amounts of damage.
For Oklahoma, about 90 percent of the annual number of non-collision claims came in during the second quarter, “showing that hail and damage from tornadoes played a significant role in auto damage over those years,” according to Farmers Insurance.
Out of all types of comprehensive auto claims, more than 40 percent of those filed to Farmers Insurance from April to June are hail-related.
“The average hail storm lasts just six minutes, but the damage it can cause to a vehicle can be severe,” says Paul Quinn, head of claims customer experience at Farmers.
In 2014, Broken Bowe, Neb., reported a hail stone with a diameter of 2.66 inches, according to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety.
The Top Five States for Hail Damage from April to June 2013 and 2014 Are:
South Dakota: 87 percent
Nebraska: 86 percent
Kansas: 79 percent
Montana: 79 percent
Oklahoma: 78 percent
The second most common claim is vandalism and partial theft, which includes issues such as broken windows.
“Collision-only policies will not cover vehicle damage related to auto theft and vandalism, such as broken windows,” according to Farmers Insurance.
The Top Five States for Vandalism, Mischief and Partial Theft Claims from April to June 2013 to 2014 Are:
Hawaii: 43 percent
California: 38 percent
Nevada: 28 percent
Georgia: 28 percent
Washington: 28 percent
The third most common auto claim is related to vehicle collisions with birds or animals, according to Farmers Insurance.
The Top Five States for Collision with Bird or Animals from April to June 2013 and 2014 Are:
West Virginia: 45 percent
Wisconsin: 43 percent
Idaho: 35 percent
Michigan: 32 percent
Minnesota: 31 percent