IRVING, Texas, April 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas storms
affected more Allstate insured homes in Randall county than any other part of the
state over the past five years, while Smith county saw the highest frequency of
lightning. Allstate tallied the top 25 Texas counties affected by severe weather;
identifying areas with highest frequencies of wind and hail, and
lightning related homeowner property damage claims from 2011
through 2015.
|
Highest Frequency
of Wind and
Hail Claims 2011-2015 by County
|
|
Highest Frequency
of Lightning
Claims 2011-2015 by County
|
|
1
|
Randall
|
|
1
|
Smith
|
|
2
|
Bell
|
|
2
|
Jefferson
|
|
3
|
Dallas
|
|
3
|
Montgomery
|
|
4
|
Hidalgo
|
|
4
|
Kaufman
|
|
5
|
Johnson
|
|
5
|
Lubbock
|
|
6
|
Ellis
|
|
6
|
Parker
|
|
7
|
Denton
|
|
7
|
Johnson
|
|
8
|
Parker
|
|
8
|
Ellis
|
|
9
|
Kaufman
|
|
9
|
Denton
|
|
10
|
Collin
|
|
10
|
Williamson
|
|
11
|
Tarrant
|
|
11
|
Collin
|
|
12
|
Lubbock
|
|
12
|
Brazoria
|
|
13
|
El Paso
|
|
13
|
Harris
|
|
14
|
Bexar
|
|
14
|
Fort Bend
|
|
15
|
Webb
|
|
15
|
Bell
|
|
16
|
Travis
|
|
16
|
Dallas
|
|
17
|
Smith
|
|
17
|
Tarrant
|
|
18
|
Hays
|
|
18
|
Travis
|
|
19
|
Montgomery
|
|
19
|
Bexar
|
|
20
|
Williamson
|
|
20
|
Hays
|
|
21
|
Fort Bend
|
|
21
|
Galveston
|
|
22
|
Harris
|
|
22
|
Hidalgo
|
|
23
|
Midland
|
|
23
|
Webb
|
|
24
|
Brazoria
|
|
24
|
Nueces
|
|
25
|
Cameron
|
|
25
|
Midland
|
Rankings
Randall, Bell and Dallas counties top the list for the frequency
of wind and hail homeowner property claims over the past five
years; while Smith, Jefferson and Montgomery saw the highest frequency of
lightning claims.
"The counties with the highest frequency of claims range from
north, south, east and western parts of the state; demonstrating
few areas in Texas are safe from
severe weather, said Martha Balleza
an Allstate agent in North Texas.
"It's important for families to take precautions to protect
themselves and their belongings for severe weather events."
How can Texans be prepared for natural disasters? Allstate
recommends a few steps:
Before the Storm:
- Clean Out Your Garage and Yard: Take steps to reduce
risks of damage to your property like having a spot for your car
during a hail storm and removing dying tree limbs and outside
furniture that can go airborne during a wind storm.
- Make a Plan: Create a safety plan with your family and
know the prepared areas to take shelter in case of a tornado. Visit
emergency management government Web sites to help you come up with
a plan before a catastrophe.
- Take Stock of Your Stuff: Walk through your home with a
video or still camera to create a record of what you have and where
it is in your house. You can also download an App like Allstate's
Digital Locker (TM) to help create an inventory.
- Call Your Insurer: Locate your current insurance
information and reach out to your insurer for a yearly coverage
check-up. Review your policy with your agent to make sure your
coverages meet your current needs.
In the unfortunate event of a storm, Allstate recommends the
following tips to help customers begin the recovery process.
Storm Recovery:
- Make Temporary Repairs: Make reasonable temporary
repairs to prevent further damage. Save the receipts for temporary
home repairs as these expenses may be reimbursed as part of your
homeowner's policy. Your adjuster will need this information.
- Document Damages: Inventory your home and list damaged
items before your adjuster arrives. An inventory can help
facilitate the claim process after a disaster.
- Research Contractors: Be wary of contractors who solicit
door-to-door. Work only with licensed, bonded and insured
contractors and have them provide you with documentation. Check
with your local Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints
have been filed against contractors you are considering.
About the Data
* To collect the data, Allstate measured the frequency of hail,
wind and lightning homeowner property claims from 2011- 2015 to
tally the top 25 counties, which all had at least 3,500 Allstate
policies.
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest
publicly held personal lines insurer, protecting approximately 16
million households from life's uncertainties through auto, home,
life and other insurance offered through its Allstate, Esurance,
Encompass and Answer Financial brand names. Now celebrating its
85th anniversary as an insurer, Allstate is widely known through
the slogan "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®." The
Allstate brand's network of small businesses offers auto, home,
life and retirement products and services to customers in
the United States and Canada. In 2015, The Allstate Foundation,
Allstate, its employees and agency owners gave $36 million to support local communities.
Allstate employees and agency owners donated 230,000 hours of
service across the country.
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/randall-and-smith-top-allstates-stormiest-counties-list-300252260.html
SOURCE Allstate