Hail No! Illinois Ranks Second In Country For Hail Damage

If you had to submit a hail damage claim in 2020, you're hardly alone in the Land of Lincoln. 

I remember the last hail damage claim filed in my family. My sister had just purchased a new Mazda from Lou Bachrodt in 2019, see Lenny if you're ever there, he's awesome. She literally had the car for about two weeks when we were caught in one of the biggest hail storms I had ever been in. It was at least ping pong ball-sized and some were as big as baseballs.

We were on Elm Ave, just north of Windsor by the old Vitner's factory. We tried to take cover under a big tree, which might have saved the windshield and the hood of the car, but the roof took quite a bit of damaged. At least 20 dents were scattered around the top of the car.

I'm sure my sister wasn't the only one to file an insurance claim after that storm, just like the thousands of Illinois residents had to after a storm in 2020. Only Texas, which is known for its hailstorms had more claims paid out by State Farm than Illinois.

In fact there is quite a gap between the top two states for claims and the rest of the country. Texas is tops at $474 million while Illinois is in second with about $75M less at $394 million. Then you drop about another $150M to third place in Minnesota with $259 million.

State Farm Insurance has some tips to make your next hail damage claim easier:

• Review insurance coverage
• Know the claims process
• Be weather aware
• Update home inventory

You can also prepare for the next storm by paying attention and moving things inside before a storm comes to help protect your property.

Storm and hail season is right around the corner, make sure you're prepared AND safe.