April hailstorm was costliest in Texas history: Report

The massive hailstorm that struck Southeastern Texas cost $1.36 billion, and is part of a broader weather pattern that’s keeping claims administrators busy

Catastrophe & Flood

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The substantial hailstorm that struck San Antonio and other parts of Southeastern Texas this spring is shaping up to be the costliest in state history.

According to a June report from the Insurance Council of Texas, the total damage caused by the April 12 storm is expected to total $1.36 billion, including $560 million in damage to vehicles and $800 million in damage to homes and businesses.

“The storm primarily struck the northwestern portion of Bexar County moving across northern areas of San Antonio with large hail that was shaped like jagged rocks,” said Robert Crosby, executive director of the Independent Insurance Agents of San Antonio.

In some areas, the hail reached 4.5 inches in diameter.

The total damage outstripped the 1995 storm that struck Fort Worth and caused $1.1 billion in damage – but it’s just part of a larger weather pattern that has caused significant losses for insurers this year.

Heavy rains in late May forced the evacuations of hundreds and killed at least six people, as the Brazos River hit a record 8.5 feet above flood stage. Authorities say each of the 11 reservoirs fed by the swollen river hit 95% to 100% capacity, and remained at flood stage the entire week.

Tornadoes also affected northern Texas in March, generating 125,000 claims and triggering $1.1 billion in insured losses.

Major insurers like Farmers deployed special claims forces to deal with the fallout, and third-party claims administrators say they are still busy.

“I have a number of adjusters from around the country that have been coming in to help out because our Texas-based adjusters are at capacity,” said David Tusa, senior vice president of Central region field operations at Engle Martin.

“Our catastrophe claims are up 41% over the prior year, which is storm-related claims. We are seeing wind and hail quite a bit, and in Houston, we have worked on some flooding.”

Engle Martin has called upon its claims specialists from the East and West regions of the US to assist, as well as members of its specialty lines group.

Even now, severe flooding in the Plains regions has forced the closure of I-45 and wind speed in Fort Worth has reached 40 miles per hour, promising even more loss – and work – for insurance professionals in the state.

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