Homeowners seek $90 million from insurance companies for tornado damage, officials say
SPRINGFIELD—Homeowners have filed $90 million in residential insurance claims from buildings damaged by last week’s devastating tornadoes, the highest total in recent memory, according to state officials.
Barbara Anthony, the state undersecretary of the office of consumer affairs and business regulation, said at a morning press conference at Springfield City Hall the $90 million figure “reflects the enormous damage done in the western part of the state.”
But the figure doesn’t include many auto and business claims, so the final total will likely be much higher, she said.
There have been almost 5,000 insurance claims filed so far, nearly all of them residential. Claims continue to be filed on a daily basis, officials said.
Anthony warned homeowners to be on the lookout for unscrupulous contractors looking to turn a quick profit and advised them to seek out registered contractors for repairs.
Anthony said homeowners who are not happy with the quality of the repairs will have little recourse if the contractors aren’t registered or from out of state.
“If you use one of these fly-by-night guys, there’s not going to be a lot we can do to help,” she said.
She said homeowners should not have to pay more than one-third of the estimate upfront. Anthony encouraged homeowners to contact her office with any questions or concerns and said interns would be canvassing the affected neighborhoods today with fliers.
Anthony said homeowners should document all of the damage and any repairs they make themselves so they can be fully reimbursed.
“We want to make sure people can collect on their claims to the fullest extent possible,” she said.
Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said city officials are waiting for the Federal Emergency Management Administration to declare the area a disaster, but that life was slowly returning to normal.
The major streets have reopened, he said, and city inspectors are busy surveying the damage to homes and businesses. Many homeowners had already been in touch with their insurance companies, and were "ready to rebuild," he said.
He praised the resiliency and community spirit of the city’s residents.
"We're trying to move back to some kind of normalcy, Sarno said. "And then the rebuilding efforts start."
