Good Neighbor Stories

State Farm helping customers after hail and severe weather in Missouri

Fri, 01 May 2026 09:00:00 -0500

In late April, Missouri experienced several severe storms, including a large hailstorm on April 28 in Springfield and surrounding communities that damaged vehicles, roofs, and windows. Our hearts and thoughts go out to everyone who has been impacted across the Central U.S., including families here in Missouri.

So far, State Farm has received over 17,000 home, property, and auto claims from these late April storms in Missouri. We are actively working to help our customers recover by providing all benefits available under their policies.

Our priority is taking care of our customers’ needs and helping people start recovery as quickly as possible. We encourage customers with damage to reach out and get the process started. We are here to help!

Supporting Missouri communities

This year State Farm provided $75,000 in philanthropic support to Convoy of Hope for Missouri disaster preparedness and recovery efforts. These funds provide support for critical needs including shelter, food pantry supplies and other resources to help local communities recover.

We’re here, and we’re staying close

We’re proud to serve over 2 million customers in Missouri. In the last five years, Missouri has unfortunately experienced some of the most frequent catastrophe events in the country. Approximately 3,500 local agents, agent team members and employees live and work in the state. Supported by the State Farm Catastrophe Response Team®—the largest catastrophe response team and fleet in the insurance industry, we’re here to help our Missouri customers recover as quickly as possible after severe weather strikes.

How to file a claim (home or auto)

Customers are always welcome to reach out with questions or concerns. We are here to help. State Farm customers can submit and manage a claim through the channel that works best for them:

Call or email your State Farm agent
Call 1-800-SF-CLAIM
File in the State Farm mobile app
File online at statefarm.com/claims
Text “CLAIM” to 62789 to receive a link to file a claim

Staying alert as more storms are forecast

With more storms in the forecast, please stay tuned to local weather services and follow official warnings. If you have damage or questions, reaching out early can help you start the recovery process sooner.

State Farm® Paid Over $5.6 Billion in Hail Claims in 2025

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0500

Hail is one of the most frequent and costly weather hazards in the U.S., causing major damage to homes, vehicles, and property. In 2025, State Farm paid out more than $5.6 billion in hail-related claims. Texas led the nation with $1.4 billion in claims, followed by Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Oklahoma.

March storms have already triggered over 50,000 claims in the Midwest. On March 10 alone, the National Weather Service reported more than 650 hail events across nine states, including Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Illinois, and Iowa—six of the top states for State Farm hail claims paid last year. Hail sizes ranged from quarters to baseballs and even grapefruits.

For millions of homeowners and property owners in hail-prone areas, this underscores the importance of knowing your roof and your insurance policy.

Protect Your Home

When hail strikes, your roof often bears the brunt of the damage, but windows, gutters, and siding are also at risk. Understanding your roof’s age, material, and condition helps determine how it will hold up and what your insurance will cover. For example, a 30-year-old roof is less resilient and may have lower replacement value than a newer one.

Regular maintenance and inspections can reduce damage and costs. Work with your insurance agent to ensure you have the right coverage before a storm hits.

Avoid Contractor Scams

After a hailstorm, it’s common to see contractors canvassing neighborhoods offering repairs. Beware of scams. Always verify a contractor’s license and reputation. Before signing any repair contract, consult your insurer. They can confirm coverage, assess damage, and may offer programs or discounts to ease your recovery. Once you sign a contract, your insurer’s ability to assist may be limited.

Choose Impact-Resistant Materials

Investing in impact-resistant roofing materials can reduce damage and repair costs, especially in hail-prone regions. Replacing wood shingles with durable options may also qualify you for insurance discounts. Check with your agent for eligibility.

By knowing your roof, understanding your policy, avoiding scams, and choosing resilient materials, you can better protect your home and make recovery smoother after hail damage.

Prepare Before the Storm

Before any severe storm approaches, take important and proactive steps to prepare your home and minimize potential damage, help to protect your property, ensure your safety, and reduce the stress and cost of repairs after the storm passes.

Inspect the Roof: Check for loose or damaged shingles and repair them to reduce the risk of hail damage.
Secure Windows and Doors: Make sure windows, doors, and screens are tightly sealed and consider installing storm shutters if available.
Clear Gutters and Drains: Remove debris to prevent water backup and damage during heavy rain.
Trim Trees: Cut back branches that could break and damage your home or vehicles.
Protect Outdoor Items: Bring in or secure patio furniture, grills, and other items that could be damaged or become projectiles.
Check Insurance Coverage: Review your homeowner’s and auto insurance policies to understand your coverage for hail damage.
Document Your Property: Take photos or videos of your home and belongings for insurance purposes in case of damage.

At State Farm, we have helped hundreds of thousands recover from hail damage. By preparing early and staying informed, you can protect your home, reduce stress, and recover with confidence—no matter what the weather brings.

Hail damage increases in 2024: 5 tips to reduce it

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 08:27:26 -0500

In 2024, customers nationwide experienced property damage from severe hail, leading State Farm to pay out more than $3.8 billion for home repairs and over $1.2 billion for auto repairs. With recent devastating storms serving as a reminder, State Farm encourages homeowners to prepare for the spring and hailstorm season by taking preventative measures to minimize damage to their properties.

Hail damage can be reduced with the right preparation.

“Every spring storm season brings its own unique challenges, so it’s important to prepare ahead for what this season will bring,” said State Farm spokesperson Keiana Holleman. “Knowing what’s covered in your policy—and what isn’t—will inform your next steps so you can smoothly recover from any loss from hail damage. Reaching out to your State Farm agent is the best first step in the process.”

1. Create a Home Inventory To Prep for Storms

One way to prepare for spring and hail storm season is to meet with your agent to make sure you understand your policy, take photos or videos of everything in your home, or create a detailed list of your belongings. Having a home inventory at your fingertips can simplify the claims process after a storm.

2. Prepare Before the Storm Hits

When a storm approaches, execute your emergency plan to protect your family and your home. Here’s what to do:

Create a survival kit. Include batteries, flashlights, water, non-perishable food, chargers and first aid supplies.
Bring pets indoors. Ensure the safety of your animals by bringing them inside or another safe space.
Secure outdoor items. Store furniture, potted plants and any valuables inside.

3. Quick Recovery After the Storm

After the storm passes, wait until it’s safe to assess any damage. Hailstorms can damage roofs, decks, outdoor personal property and vehicles parked outside. Document any damage to support your claims. State Farm customers can file claims by contacting their local agent, calling 1-800-SF-CLAIM, visiting statefarm.com or using the State Farm mobile app.

4. Watch Out for Scams

In the aftermath of hailstorms, scams targeting homeowners are common. Before hiring contractors for repairs, do your research to ensure they are licensed and reputable. To add an extra layer of security, contact your local agent for assistance. Taking the time to verify and keeping your insurance agent informed can help protect you from contractor fraud.

5. Consider Upgrading Your Roof

For residents in hail-prone areas, investing in an impact-resistant roof can reduce damage to your home. Replacing wood shingles with more durable materials may save you money in the long run. To learn more about upgrading your roofing, visit Simple Insights - Impact Resistant Roofing Materials or reach out to your local State Farm agent.

By taking the right precautions and being prepared, you can minimize hail damage and ensure a smoother recovery process.

State Farm Mobilizing Catastrophe Response to Recent Tornado and Severe Weather Damage Across the Southeast and Ohio Valley

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 15:42:12 -0500

State Farm catastrophe claim response team members are responding to the devastation to assist customers. Local State Farm agents and their staff also are available to help customers with their claims as we begin the recovery. Our priority is taking care of our customers' needs as quickly as possible.

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.

Hail Happens: Stay Safe During Severe Storms

Mon, 18 Mar 2019 00:01:00 -0500

There are approximately 3,000 hailstorms in the U.S. every year. Hail often occurs during severe weather patterns, such as strong thunderstorms, causing billions of dollars in damage to buildings, vehicles, and crops annually.

In 2018, State Farm paid more than $2.7 billion for more than 280,000 auto and homeowners insurance hail damage claims.

Here are some tips from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to keep you and your family safe during a hailstorm.

In an Automobile

Stop driving. If you see a safe place close-by (like inside a garage, under a highway overpass or under a service station awning), drive to it as soon as you can. Make sure you pull completely off the highway.
Do NOT leave the vehicle until it stops hailing.
Stay away from car windows. Cover your eyes with something, like a piece of clothing. If possible, get onto the floor facedown or lie down on the seat with your back to the windows.
Put very small children under you and cover their eyes.

In a Building

Stay inside until the hail stops.
Stay away from windows.
Account for all family members, building occupants, pets, etc.
Do not go outside for any reason.
To avoid the danger of electrocution from lightning, avoid using phones and electrical appliances during a severe storm.

Outside

Seek shelter immediately. If you can’t find something to protect your entire body, find something to protect your head.
Stay out of culverts and lowland areas that may suddenly fill with water.
Seeking shelter under trees should be a last resort. It is common during severe storms for trees to lose branches.

The shareable, interactive image below shows more hail facts when you hover over the "+" signs.