In the wake of Hurricane Harvey’s destruction and the ongoing rains that continue to threaten Houston and surrounding areas with potentially-deadly flooding, the No. 1 homeowner’s insurer in Texas, State Farm, said the company has secured thousands of claims specialists to respond to the natural disaster.
Insurance professionals in Texas are hardly strangers to navigating hurricane aftermath as two of the costliest hurricanes ever to hit the U.S. caused damage in Texas, Hurricane Ike in 2008 and Hurricane Rita in 2005, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
With nearly $1.9 million in direct premiums written in 2016 and 10% of Texas' premium concentration, State Farm is the top homeowners insurer in Texas, according to Moody's Investor Service.
State Farm Spokesman Jim Camoriano said late in the day on Monday, Aug. 28, 2017, that the insurer bulked up on the office staff taking initial Hurricane Harvey loss reports, and deployed catastrophe response teams from Austin and Dallas to enter the impacted areas.
What’s more, eight catastrophe response vehicles, pictured at left, are on hand in Texas. "They are equipped with satellite technology, printers, computers, etc. to respond to where our customers are located," Camoriano said.
In Texas and Louisiana, State Farm agents also are independently reaching out to policyholders, he added. By day’s end on Monday, the insurer had received more than 5,000 home and auto claims. About 75% to 80% of reported auto claims so far involve vehicles unable to be driven.
"Our plans are to continue to deploy resources to all affected areas," Camoriano said. "We are ready for the heavy rainfall to lessen, so we can get adjusters to customers’ property. We have operations and facilities poised and ready for the duration of this event; no matter how long it takes, we will be there for our customers in helping them recover from Harvey."
In addition to maintaining a robust social media presence, State Farm offered the following policyholder tips for navigating the restoration and repair process after Hurricane Harvey: 
A home is surrounded by floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey on Monday, Aug. 28, 2017, in Spring, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
|Hurricane Harvey insurance considerations from State Farm
— Safety is a priority. Once safe to return and inspect your property, document any damage by taking pictures and video.
— If you make temporary repairs to prevent further damage, remember to keep your receipts, so you’ll have a record for the claim adjuster for covered reimbursements.
— If you have experienced a power outage, never use candles for emergency lighting, use flashlights. Disconnect any appliances, equipment or electronics that were on when the power went out.
— When power comes back on, it may come back with momentary "surges" or "spikes" that can damage computers and motors in air conditioners, refrigerators, etc. Leave one light on so you know when the power returns.
— Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer. This will help keep your food as fresh as possible. Be sure to check food for signs of spoilage.
— Use generators safely. If you have a portable generator, only run it outdoors with adequate ventilation. Never use a generator indoors or in attached garages. The exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, which can be deadly if inhaled.
— The typical homeowner’s policy generally provides coverage for spoiled food due to a power outage, if the outage is tied to a covered peril. In order for coverage to apply, it will need to meet the deductible. Check with your insurance company to see if your policy covers damages resulting from outages.
Related: The 'Harvey List': Top 10 homeowners, commercial insurers in Texas
|Hurricane Harvey contractor tips from State Farm
While there are many good contractors, please be wary of those who might try to capitalize on the storm and any going door-to-door.
— Don’t pay anything up front.
— Get everything in writing.
— Get references from friends and neighbors and a physical business address of the contractor.
— Don’t accept an offer for a contractor to pay your deductible as an incentive to get your business.
— During the course of working a homeowner’s claim, State Farm claim specialists often inform and educate consumers on proactive steps to take when considering a contractor. Among the many preventative measures we recommend: shopping around, getting recommendations, inspecting the work, getting three written estimates, and having a written detailed estimate. Consumers are also advised not to pay for work up front or sign a contract with any blank spaces.
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Elana Ashanti Jefferson
Elana Ashanti Jefferson serves as ALM's PropertyCasualty360 Group Chief Editor. She is a veteran journalist and communications professional. Reach her by sending an e-mail to [email protected].
