“Mission Leaders like State Farm are vital to our work, helping drive innovation across our organization, providing capacity to respond immediately in times of crisis," said Cliff Holtz, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. “I am grateful for their support, which safeguards our ability to care for those in need when the unthinkable happens."

State Farm has a long history of providing grants to non-profits after disaster strikes a community. This new approach to pre-fund grants before disaster strikes aims to help provide streamlined and immediate support of disaster relief efforts. The goal of pre-funding is to support non-profit preparedness, relief and recovery efforts for communities and families impacted by disasters big and small – including hurricanes, floods, home fires and countless other crises – as efficiently and timely as possible. 

“Being a good neighbor is at the heart of the State Farm mission,” said Apsara Sorensen, State Farm Corporate Responsibility Assistant Vice President. “State Farm is committed to helping individuals and families manage the risks of everyday life and recover from the unexpected. We extend this commitment to the neighborhoods we serve by providing resources and collaborating with nonprofit organizations with a history of disaster response, providing immediate relief and vital necessities during times of need.”

"This proactive support ensures that Midwest Food Bank is ready to respond swiftly when natural disasters strike. Thanks to their commitment, we can bring hope and help to those in need, demonstrating the power of partnership in action," said Lisa Martin, CFO of Midwest Food Bank.

According to Ethan Forhetz, Convoy of Hope VP of Public Engagement, "This grant ensures that Convoy disaster response teams will stand ready to deliver hope to those whose lives have been turned upside down.” 

Projects on a budget

May is National Wildfire Preparedness Month and State Farm is here to help homeowners with simple projects that can be done on a budget over a weekend to help mitigate loss from a wildfire.

1. Create a 5-foot non-combustible barrier between your home and any vegetation on your property.
   1. Trim overhanging trees, branches and other foliage.
   2. Remove vines from house walls.
   3. Pick up debris in your yard. Anything flammable should be removed like pine needles, pine cones and more.
2. Remove leaves, pine needles and other debris from your gutters.
3. Cover vents and openings with wire mesh to prevent embers from entering the home.
4. Install ember and fire-resistant soffit vents.
5. Treat wooden fencing with fire retardant or consider replacing with metal fencing.
6. Replace mulch landscaping with rock.
7. Talk to your local fire department about wildfire prep advice they may have for your specific area.
8. Create a home inventory. A home inventory can expedite insurance claims process after theft, damage or loss. The easiest way to do a home inventory is using technology to create a digital copy:
   1. Take pictures. Capture important individual items as well as entire rooms, closets or drawers. Label your photos with what's pictured, where you bought it, the make or model and the serial number. Don’t forget the garage and even your possessions outside.
   2. Take video. Walk through your house or apartment recording and describing the contents. For example, you might describe the contents of a kitchen cabinet: "Poppies on Blue by Lenox, service for 12 that includes a dinner plate, salad plate, bowl, cup and saucer, purchased in 2015."
   3. Use an app. There are many mobile app options that can help you create and store a room-by-room record of your belongings.
9. Talk to your State Farm agent. We recommend meeting with your agent at least annually to help you make sure you have adequate coverage for your individual needs.

While you can’t always prevent wildfires, these tips can help assess your risk and identify ways to help protect your home and property from a wildfire.

Our hearts go out to the families of all those who lost their lives and have been tragically affected by the severe weather affecting many states including the recent devastating tornado that impacted Little Rock, AR and other states. Our greatest concern is for the safety of everyone in the area.

As of April 4, State Farm has received approximately 22,144 total home and auto claims (home: 16,188 and auto: 5,956) from this most recent wide-spread storm, and those claim numbers can be expected to increase as residents file claims. The impacted states include Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

State Farm catastrophe claim response team members have responded to the devastation to assist customers. Claim teams are actively making contact and providing initial claim handling efforts for our impacted customers with a focus on the most severe losses. Local State Farm agents and their staff also are available to help customers with their claims as we begin the recovery. Our first priority is taking care of our customers' needs as quickly as possible.

Catastrophe Customer Care site

A Catastrophe Customer Care site has been opened at Lowe’s parking lot, located at 1100 Bowman Rd. in Little Rock, AR 72211. Homeowner and auto claim handlers will be onsite to assist agents and policyholders with questions and provide advanced payments, as warranted. Additionally, our State Farm Customer Response Unit (CRU) is on-site and visiting impacted neighborhoods and several agents are traveling around with the CRU. The CRU is handing out basic supplies such as work gloves, water and other needed items to residents.

To provide the best possible service and response to customers who have damage from the tornado, the following are in place: 

• The 1-800-SFCLAIM line is activated and available for customers to begin the claim reporting process, should they be unable to reach their local State Farm agent.
   
• State Farm policyholders who have damage can submit and manage their claim through various channels. This includes calling or emailing their State Farm agent, calling 1-800-SFCLAIM, submitting a claim through our mobile app or through our website at statefarm.com/claims. Customers may also text the word “CLAIM” to 62789 to receive a link to file a claim.
   
• In addition to our on-the-ground team, we also have three Centralized Catastrophe Services (CCS) operations and our Initial Loss Reporting (ILR) teams located throughout the United States. State Farm has the advantage of a fleet of mobile claim handling facilities, innovatively designed to support our ability to provide optimal customer service even under challenging conditions.  

Making temporary repairs to damaged property:

When it is safe to do so, people with repairable/limited property damage should have reasonable temporary repairs made to prevent further damage to their property. Depending on your coverage, these repairs may be reimbursed. Save receipts if you purchase items such as tarps and plywood or other supplies to make repairs.

Power Outages:

Many residents may face spoiled food or even appliance damage from long power outages. If you do have a loss of food or appliance damage, check your home insurance policy or small business policy to see if the loss may be covered as 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 the event of a power outage:

• Dispose refrigerated food that's been exposed to temperatures 40⁰ or higher for two hours or more, or that has an unusual odor, color or texture. When in doubt, throw it out!
   
• Discard any medication that's refrigerated if the power is out for more than a day, unless the drug's label says otherwise. If a life depends on the refrigerated medication consult a doctor or pharmacist to see if the medicine can be used until a new supply is available.
   
• If there are questions about coverage from any type of damage (home or auto), please contact your insurance agent and file a claim as soon as possible.
   
• Power outage tips.

Approximately 8,600 fire claims and 3,500 auto claims are reported. Fire catastrophes are declared in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Auto catastrophes are declared in Alabama, Georgia, Ohio, and Mississippi.

Claim teams are actively making contact and providing initial claim handling efforts for our impacted customers with a focus on the most severe losses.

Catastrophe Customer Care sites are being established in the communities of Florence and Amory, Mississippi with a site in Rolling Fork to open in the future to support claim handling efforts. Fire and auto claim handlers will be onsite to assist agents and policyholders with questions and provide advanced payments, as warranted.

To provide the best possible service and response to customers who have damage from the tornado, the following are in place: 

• Claims adjusters and all necessary State Farm support members are deploying and on-site.
   
• The 1-800-SFCLAIM line is activated and available for customers to begin the claim reporting process, should they be unable to reach their local State Farm agent.
   
• State Farm policyholders who have damage can submit and manage their claim through various channels. This includes calling or emailing their State Farm agent, calling 1-800-SFCLAIM, submitting a claim through our mobile app or through our website at statefarm.com/claims. Customers may also text the word “CLAIM” to 62789 to receive a link to file a claim.

In addition to our on-the-ground team, we also have three Centralized Catastrophe Services (CCS) operations and our Initial Loss Reporting (ILR) teams located throughout the United States. State Farm has the advantage of a fleet of mobile claim handling facilities, innovatively designed to support our ability to provide optimal customer service even under challenging conditions.
 

Making temporary repairs to damaged property:

When it is safe to do so, people with repairable/limited property damage should have reasonable temporary repairs made to prevent further damage to their property. Depending on your coverage, these repairs may be reimbursed. Save receipts if you purchase items such as tarps and plywood or other supplies to make repairs.   

As of this morning (1/7/2022), State Farm has received over 1,400 home and auto claims, with the vast majority in Boulder County. Temporary housing and advance funds continue to be provided to customers where possible, with nearly $5 Million in advances issued to date. Customers are encouraged to file a claim as soon as possible, and can text the word “CLAIM” to 62789 to receive a link to file a claim.

In addition to State Farm agents, agent’s staff, and local employees, we have mobilized our State Farm catastrophe response teams across the affected areas to help customers with their claims. We also have thousands of employees handling claims virtually across the country in our centralized operations.

State Farm has opened a Catastrophe Customer Care Site located at 61 West FlatIron Crossing Drive in Broomfield (FlatIron Crossing mall, in front of the AMC theater.)

Additionally as part of our overall support for the community, State Farm has committed a $50,000 disaster grant for the American Red Cross of Colorado, with those funds primarily assisting those displaced from their homes.

State Farm There From The Start

As the wildfire spread, State Farm began mobilizing its resources. Our response includes State Farm agents who live and work in the same neighborhoods as our customers; teams of claim specialists trained in disaster response traveling in to evaluate damage on site; thousands of employees in centralized care centers across the country helping answer customers’ questions and file their claims; remote claim teams conducting virtual inspections with impacted customers; and many other resources, all helping customers in their time of need.

State Farm’s Customer Response Unit (CRU) was on the ground Sunday (1/2/2022) assisting the community (beginning in Spanish Hills and Rock Creek) with basic essentials such as fresh water, work gloves, flashlights, first aid kits, and snacks. The CRU also hands out coloring books and teddy bears for children in the community.

Wildfire Defense Systems Activated

Wildfire Defense Systems (WDS) arrived on scene early Friday (12/31/2021) morning. The largest wildfire protection service provider, this complimentary Wildfire Response service was added to all non-tenant homeowners policies in Colorado at no cost to State Farm customers in early 2020. During an active wildfire, if WDS determines a home insured by State Farm is at risk, they will deploy a team that will take proactive counter-measures to protect a policyholder’s property.

On January 1, they continued efforts to mop-up isolated pocked of heat and secure the line. Thanks to a thick blanket of snow over the fire area, significant gains were made toward full containment. Enrolled properties are no longer threatened; should the need to re-engaged WDS arise, they are prepared to respond back to the threatened properties.

Virtual Claim Handling

We are helping customers in more ways, and right now that means leveraging technology and offering virtual claim handling when appropriate.

• State Farm encourages customers to take advantage of potential options for virtual inspections or other methods that do not always require a personal inspection with their claims professional (the virtual option is available in most states if legally permitted.)
• State Farm policyholders who have damage from this event can submit and manage their claim through various channels. This includes calling or emailing their State Farm agent, calling 1-800-SFCLAIM, submitting a claim through our mobile app or through our website at statefarm.com/claims.

Homeowners with fire damage can benefit from more virtual ways to file a claim and receive payment to start repairs. State Farm is leveraging technology by providing virtual claim handling options to customers who have damage from Marshall Wildfire, allowing customers to file and track their claim from the convenience of their phone or other electronic devices.

Once a claim is underway, customers can electronically submit photos, video and other claim documentation, and participate in video calls with their claim representative as available. When electronic communication is not available or preferred, we provide in-person claim handling as appropriate.

It’s here that the remarkable service of State Farm shines. Bringing the largest disaster response in the industry means a coordinated effort of people, technology and resources, all working together to provide exceptional service to policyholders and support to the community.

State Farm is there

State Farm Claims specialists assist customers at Louisiana Customer Care sites

In addition to thousands of employees remotely helping thousands of customers on the phone and online, State Farm claims operations are on site, day after day, helping policyholders in impacted areas.

In support of Ida response, State Farm set up seven mobile Customer Care sites – four in Louisiana and three in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. These operations bring claims teams and customers together to inspect vehicles, help with questions, and disburse payments.

Over the last two weeks, more than 1,500 customers have been given in-person help at our Louisiana Customer Care sites. So far, our overall claims operations have been able to reach more than 90% of customers who have filed a homeowner claim related to Ida, with 1 in 4 of those claims already settled.

Neighbors helping neighbors

A big part of the State Farm difference is the 19,000 State Farm agents who live and work in the same communities as our policyholders. That means that in addition to access by phone, app, and web site, State Farm customers have a State Farm agent right there in the neighborhood, ready to talk through your hopes, plans, and needs. And when disaster happens, they are neighbors ready to help.

In the wake of Ida, State Farm agents reached out to customers in impacted areas to help the recovery process.

Agent Courtney Gulledge of Harahan, La., lived up to that promise when one of her policyholders, Tassanee Nirandorn, received severe damage to his home. Courtney used draft authority, which allows agents to directly disburse payment toward the settlement of a claim. By providing an advance on claim payments, we can help customers start the process of recovery. Nirandorn was pleased with this service, saying, “On the news, all I have heard is that insurance companies are a pain to deal with, but that has not been my experience. State Farm has been exceptional during this process.”

Supporting the larger community

In addition to helping policyholders recover from the unexpected, State Farm has used its philanthropic resources to support community organizations that are helping the recovery process.

State Farm has issued $900,000 in disaster-relief grants to community organizations in Louisiana, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, plus a $10,000 grant to the Midwest Food Bank in Illinois to provide support to multiple Ida-impacted areas.

Louisiana:

• $400,000 to support the local Red Cross chapter of Southeast Louisiana
• $150,000 to support Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans
• $100,000 to support Northshore Community Foundation
• $100,000 to support The Catholic Charities Diocese of Houma – Thibodaux

Northeast:

• $50,000 to support American Red Cross New Jersey Region
• $50,000 to support American Red Cross Greater New York Region
• $25,000 to support American Red Cross Southeastern Philadelphia Region
• $25,000 to support the Philabundance organization

“In the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, we are truly proud to work alongside partners such as State Farm who have raised their hand to support thousands of families impacted by this devastating storm,” said Lindsay Mathieson, regional disaster officer of the American Red Cross of Louisiana. “It is that generous support that allows us to provide much-needed comfort and care to help the people who need it most.”

Said Natalie Jayroe, Second Harvest Food Bank President and CEO, “This major support from State Farm will be critical to our response to this latest disaster impacting South Louisiana. Our deepest thanks go out to the entire State Farm team and their customers.”

The work continues

Recovering from a disaster like Hurricane Ida will take time. State Farm claims operations will continue the work of serving impacted policyholders in the weeks and months ahead. More than 98,000 total claims have been received so far for Hurricane Ida-related damage, and every one of those claims is a life changed by this storm.

Being a good neighbor is about more than just one moment or just one act. For State Farm, it means continuing the work until every last claim has been handled and finding ways to help our communities thrive. When the unexpected happens, State Farm is there to help policyholders and communities recover.

State Farm’s response to Hurricane Ida began before the storm made landfall. Thousands of State Farm agents and employees began to mobilize and prepare to respond to our customers’ needs prior to the storm’s arrival.

The State Farm response to Ida is both local and national. It includes State Farm agents who live and work in the same neighborhoods as our customers; teams of claim specialists trained in disaster response traveling in to evaluate damage on site; thousands of employees in centralized care centers across the country helping answer customers’ questions and file their claims; remote claim teams conducting virtual inspections with impacted customers; and many other resources, all helping customers in their time of need.

Delivering on the promise

In the immediate aftermath of the storm, State Farm began claim inspections in areas safe for entry, focusing on the most severe damage first where possible.

Agents and Customer Care Center employees have responded to thousands of customer calls, helping customers understand their coverage and how the claim process works, including aspects of coverage that come into play when damage is especially severe.

When storms such as Ida cause severe damage to homes, customers may be displaced. Additional Living Expense (ALE) coverage under a Homeowners or Renters policy is triggered when a covered loss causes the residence to become uninhabitable. ALE can cover some increased costs such as housing, meals, and mileage.

Some media reports are incorrectly suggesting ALE does not apply without a mandatory evacuation having been ordered. These reports are seemingly focused on one portion of our ALE coverage for affected policyholders: Prohibited Use. We are addressing the needs of displaced customers. State Farm is paying, and will pay, thousands of Prohibited Use and ALE claims to our policyholders following Hurricane Ida

For customers who have a loss covered under ALE due to the extent of damage to their home, that loss adjustment occurs regardless of the type of evacuation order in their neighborhood. Once a State Farm customer reports a claim to us, we will evaluate their damage. The process from there depends on many factors including the extent of damage and accessibility of the property. (We’re working with local authorities for access when it’s safe.)

We are here for all of our customers and are committed to pay what we owe. State Farm’s policies in Louisiana, the Northeast and other states, are filed with and approved by state insurance regulators in each state, respectively. State Farm honors the terms of the contract with our customers. Altering the terms of the contract for one event would be unfair to all those who have experienced loss from previous disasters.

Getting a boost from technology

In addition to on-site physical inspection of claims and the service provided by local agents, State Farm is making the most of technology to reach customers in more ways and make the process of resolving claims even faster and easier.

• Virtual claim handling allows customers to conduct real-time inspections of damage with remote claim teams through their smartphone cameras.
• Use of drones and aerial imagery allow State Farm to quickly assess damage and accessibility of storm-impacted areas, and to conduct roof inspections in a way that is safe, efficient and supports social distancing.
• Digital pay options allow for claim settlements to be direct-deposited into customers’ bank accounts, getting funds to customers more quickly, whether or not banks are open.
• Customers are encouraged to use the State Farm Mobile App and online account access for many self-service options such as filing and tracking claims, uploading documents during the claim process, requesting emergency roadside service, setting up a rental car reservation, and setting up digital pay. 
   

 
Crews work to assemble the Customer Care Site in Gonzales, LA

Bringing in-person service where it’s needed most

To provide convenient local service to customers, mobile Customer Care Sites are being set up in multiple locations near the hardest-hit areas of Louisiana. These sites allow customers to receive in-person support with claim handling and disbursement of payments.

Louisiana Customer Care Sites include:

1. Gonzales: 306 Louisiana 30 W, Gonzales, LA 70737 (map)
2. Houma: 6795 West Park Ave, Houma, LA 70364 (map)
3. New Orleans: 8282 I-10 Service Rd, New Orleans, LA 70126 (map)
4. Covington: 69348 Louisiana State Hwy 21, Covington, LA 70433 (map)

Northeast Customer Care Sites include:

1. Livingston, NJ: 112 Eisenhower Parkway, Livingston, NJ 07039 (map)
2. Horsham, PA: 200 Blair Mill Road, Horsham, PA 19044 (map)
3. Queens County, NY: Opening soon

To help agents in impacted areas better serve their customers, agency “command centers” are being set up to provide office space and phone/internet connection to agents who have themselves been impacted by damage from Ida.

Being good neighbors in the community

In addition to assisting our customers directly, State Farm is also helping overall recovery efforts with charitable grants to assist with immediate shelter, food, water, and clothing needs in Louisiana.

State Farm has issued eight Disaster Recovery Grants, for a total of $900,000, to help those impacted by Hurricane Ida:

Louisiana:

• $400,000 to support the local Red Cross chapter of Southeast Louisiana
• $150,000 to support Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans
• $100,000 to support Northshore Community Foundation
• $100,000 to support The Catholic Charities Diocese of Houma – Thibodaux

Northeast:

• $50,000 to support American Red Cross New Jersey Region
• $50,000 to support American Red Cross Greater New York Region
• $25,000 to support American Red Cross Southeastern Philadelphia Region
• $25,000 to support the Philabundance organization

Along with these disaster grants, in the days following landfall, State Farm deployed its Customer Response Unit vehicles. These vans drive through impacted neighborhoods and hand out basic essentials to residents such as water, food, work gloves, flashlights, and first-aid kits. During their deployment for Ida, the CRUs have each covered more than 1,300 miles through 18 cities and eight parishes.

The response continues

The impact of Hurricane Ida continued after it moved on from the Gulf Coast, with effects reaching all the way into the northeast U.S., including intense flooding in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

State Farm is the nation’s largest home and auto insurer, with the capacity to serve customers through multiple simultaneous disasters. Already, State Farm has received more than 72,000 claims related to the impact of Ida – more than 42,000 in Louisiana and more than 25,000 in the northeast. This is happening all while the same level of service is being provided to those suffering the effects of wildfires in the western U.S., and everywhere else severe weather is impacting State Farm customers.

The story of any major weather event is a long one. The process of recovering, rebuilding, and re-establishing a sense of “normal” can take weeks, months, or even years. State Farm is here to help our customers get through this difficult time.

In addition to the listed efforts below, State Farm has also issued two Disaster Recovery Grants to help those impacted by Hurricane Ida.

• $200,000 to support the local Red Cross chapter of Southeast Louisiana
• $50,000 to support Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans

What We’re Doing

Our catastrophe response team is currently assisting customers following Hurricane Ida. We are committed to handling each customer’s claim, bringing the necessary resources and the largest catastrophe response effort in the industry for the benefit of our customers. Here are some of the many ways State Farm is helping with Hurricane Ida relief efforts.

• State Farm agents, agent’s staff and local employees will be available to help customers with their claims as we begin recovery. We are mobilizing teams of claim adjusters, trained for disaster response, to be ready to respond all across the affected areas.
• State Farm policyholders who have damage from can submit and manage their claim through various channels. This includes calling or emailing their State Farm agent, calling 1-800-SFCLAIM, submitting a claim through our mobile app or through our website at statefarm.com/claims.
• In addition to our on-the-ground catastrophe response team, we also have thousands of employees handling claims across the country in our centralized operations – three Centralized Catastrophe Services (CCS) operations and our Initial Loss Reporting (ILR) teams.
  • Our CCS employees work closely with our “on-the-ground” team to efficiently handle our customers’ claims. Our ILR teams are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help our customers report losses and begin the claim process. Our ILR associates are available by phones, mobile app and Internet reporting.
     
• State Farm also has the advantage of a fleet of mobile claim handling facilities, innovatively designed to support our ability to provide optimal customer service even under challenging conditions. Vehicles will be deployed as catastrophe needs require.
• We are helping customers in more ways, and right now that means leveraging technology and offering virtual claim handling when appropriate.
• We encourage customers to take photos of all damage and have temporary repairs made to prevent further damage, but only if it’s safe to do so. And to keep their receipts for reimbursement. Customers with damage are urged to report their claim as soon as possible.
• Finally, State Farm is also helping with the recovery efforts with charitable grants to the Louisiana Red Cross and the Second Harvest Food Bank to help with immediate shelter, food, water, and clothing needs.

As State Farm launched their new drone program to better assist customers after storm damage, they needed to recruit and train employees to become drone pilots. And they wanted the best of the best.

To the surprise of no one, Jessica Hodge, Joy Hillsman-Caffie and Shelley Cole rose to the top of the list. They are three of the six drone pilots for State Farm who are women.

The news of her selection came as a shock to Jessica, an eight-year State Farm claims specialist.

When I found out, I was excited and up for the challenge,” shared Jessica. “I consider myself an early adopter of the technology. State Farm is one of the first insurance companies to use drones and I’m one of the first drone pilots for State Farm. It’s cool to be on the cutting edge.”

Shelley had worked in Claims for just shy of 30 years when she was tapped on the shoulder to join the elite team. She was enthusiastic about the new adventure.

“It’s been quite the experience. It makes me feel like I’m really leading the way for other women,” Shelley said. “It also gave me a bit of an upper hand. As a female catastrophe claims specialist (which is a male dominated role), working with contractors (which is a male dominated job), being a drone pilot gave me a different level of respect.”

Joy is one of the lucky people in the world whose hobby became a career. After she heard about the drone program, she decided she wanted in. Recently introduced to drones herself, the 13-year employee made a few phone calls and advocated for herself. She officially passed her license test in the fall of 2017.

“Having to fight for something you want makes it sweeter. It’s also very cool being one of the women drone pilots at State Farm,” shared Joy. “We are really at the forefront of the industry and it’s great to be a part of that.”

Even better, her son who loves all things tech, thinks she’s pretty cool, too. “He says I’m one of his super heroes.”

Together they are defying statistics and helping customers recover from the unexpected.

As State Farm launched their new drone program to better assist customers after storm damage, they needed to recruit and train employees to become drone pilots. And they wanted the best of the best.

To the surprise of no one, Jessica Hodge, Joy Hillsman-Caffie and Shelley Cole rose to the top of the list. They are three of the six drone pilots for State Farm who are women.

The news of her selection came as a shock to Jessica, an eight-year State Farm claims specialist.

When I found out, I was excited and up for the challenge,” shared Jessica. “I consider myself an early adopter of the technology. State Farm is one of the first insurance companies to use drones and I’m one of the first drone pilots for State Farm. It’s cool to be on the cutting edge.”

Shelley had worked in Claims for just shy of 30 years when she was tapped on the shoulder to join the elite team. She was enthusiastic about the new adventure.

“It’s been quite the experience. It makes me feel like I’m really leading the way for other women,” Shelley said. “It also gave me a bit of an upper hand. As a female catastrophe claims specialist (which is a male dominated role), working with contractors (which is a male dominated job), being a drone pilot gave me a different level of respect.”

Joy is one of the lucky people in the world whose hobby became a career. After she heard about the drone program, she decided she wanted in. Recently introduced to drones herself, the 13-year employee made a few phone calls and advocated for herself. She officially passed her license test in the fall of 2017.

“Having to fight for something you want makes it sweeter. It’s also very cool being one of the women drone pilots at State Farm,” shared Joy. “We are really at the forefront of the industry and it’s great to be a part of that.”

Even better, her son who loves all things tech, thinks she’s pretty cool, too. “He says I’m one of his super heroes.”

Together they are defying statistics and helping customers recover from the unexpected.

Across town from Jeff, friend and football Coach Robby Parish, spent Mother’s Day outside with his wife, daughter and son. The weather was nice, but the Parish’s knew strong storms were in the forecast.

“We are always aware. We talked a couple weeks (before) about where we would go [for safety],” said Parish.

A strong storm passed through Corsicana, Texas that evening less than 100 miles southwest from Van, but right on the town’s path. Robby was right: the electricity went out, setting alerts off their phones. So the Parish family took shelter.

“The kids weren’t scared, we were getting in our safe place just in case. We went into our son’s closet, huddled and listened to the rain,” shared Parish. “You know the storm is getting close, but you don’t know it’s going to hit your house.”

A Destructive Darkness

Then the tornado hit. According to the Parish family, it sounded like you were standing next to an airplane. When the family opened the front door, they didn’t yet register their home was destroyed.

“We’ve just had a tornado in Van,” a policyholder told State Farm Agent Johnny Thompson. “My roof is gone and I can’t see my neighbor’s house.”

Moore, a claims specialist, started helping his friends and policyholders late that night. He tirelessly wore two hats, “it’s probably been the most proud I’ve been [of Jeff],” said Team Manager Andy Barfield, “Jeff called me. He knew several homes and much of Van were destroyed.” Jeff and his wife represented State Farm and their community.

At one of the churches in town, Parish recalls residents emotionally embracing – even if they didn’t know each other well. Upon returning home the Parish family realized what they had survived.

“We closed the door and immediately prayed,” Parish said when he, his wife and their two young kids saw the only four walls still standing were the ones where they huddled; “God just saved us.”

The Rebuilding Process

The EF-3 tornado damaged about 30% of the town. Many homes, businesses and a school were destroyed.

By daylight, the following day, Agent Johnny Thompson and his wife were handing out water, Jeff was ready to go at a local church helping policyholders and Robby was trying to pick up what was left of his family’s belongings.

Robby was picking up the pieces when he recalls State Farm coming to him. Power and communications channels were down, so he hadn’t even contacted - or thought about - insurance when the estimate was written on his home to start the rebuilding.

“It’s good to know we backed our promise,” said Thompson “We were part of the rebuilding and it felt good.”

Live, Revived

The Parish family now lives in a newly constructed home on the same lot in Van. Their beautiful gray brick ranch has an open floor plan, stylish and modern finishes, and bedrooms designed by the kids. Their new house also features a concrete block shelter with a steel door, stylishly disguised as a bathroom near the side-entry garage.

Once in the home, a focal point that can be seen anywhere is a cross on the wall. The cross has colorful glass that catches the light and your eye. The few shattered dishes – family heirlooms recovered from the Parish home following the tornado were made into the cross. It serves as a reminder of what they lived through and the protection they had.

“People are resilient, some people have moved, some have rebuilt, but (leaving) was never a thought for us,” said Parish. “This is our home, we weren’t going to leave it.”