San Antonio’s April 12 hailstorm was one for the record books.

Last week’s storm and its baseball-size hail that shuttered some local businesses and pummeled cars throughout the region has produced $1.36 billion in estimated insured losses so far, making it the costliest hailstorm by dollars in Texas history, according to the Insurance Council of Texas.
San Antonio-based insurance giant USAA processed 16,500 property and 28,000 auto claims from the storm as of midday Wednesday. Losses among all insurers to automobiles in San Antonio are expected to reach $560 million, while damage to homes is expected to approach $800 million, the insurance trade group said. More than 110,000 vehicles were damaged, and thousands of homes suffered roof damage.

The violent storm rained jagged ice chunks that were as large as 4½ inches in diameter for up to 10 minutes in some areas. The state’s most expensive hailstorm was previously claimed by Fort Worth for a 1995 storm that produced an estimated $1.1 billion in damage.

Forth Worth still holds that title if adjusting for inflation. Damage from that storm would have cost $1.6 billion in today’s dollars, the Insurance Council of Texas reported Wednesday.

The most expensive weather event in Texas history was Hurricane Ike in 2008, which produced $13.04 billion in damage.

The hailstorm left a trail of damage across the northern San Antonio, mainly along a path between suburbs Helotes and Kirby. Cars were totaled across the region, including hundreds of luxury vehicles at BMW of San Antonio. The storm sent hail chunks and rain through roofs and skylights in homes, at North Star Mall and at least one H-E-B supermarket.

Safelite automotive glass repair company employee Erik White remove broken glass Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at the company’s I-10 location after a widespread overnight hail storm broke windshields throughout large swaths of the city. Photo: William Luther, Staff / William Luther / © 2016 William Luther
Photo: William Luther, Staff / William Luther
IMAGE 1 OF 35 Safelite automotive glass repair company employee Erik White remove broken glass Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at the company’s I-10 location after a widespread overnight hail storm broke windshields throughout … more
San Antonio’s April 12 hailstorm was one for the record books.

Last week’s storm and its baseball-size hail that shuttered some local businesses and pummeled cars throughout the region has produced $1.36 billion in estimated insured losses so far, making it the costliest hailstorm by dollars in Texas history, according to the Insurance Council of Texas.
San Antonio-based insurance giant USAA processed 16,500 property and 28,000 auto claims from the storm as of midday Wednesday. Losses among all insurers to automobiles in San Antonio are expected to reach $560 million, while damage to homes is expected to approach $800 million, the insurance trade group said. More than 110,000 vehicles were damaged, and thousands of homes suffered roof damage.

The violent storm rained jagged ice chunks that were as large as 4½ inches in diameter for up to 10 minutes in some areas. The state’s most expensive hailstorm was previously claimed by Fort Worth for a 1995 storm that produced an estimated $1.1 billion in damage.

Forth Worth still holds that title if adjusting for inflation. Damage from that storm would have cost $1.6 billion in today’s dollars, the Insurance Council of Texas reported Wednesday.

The most expensive weather event in Texas history was Hurricane Ike in 2008, which produced $13.04 billion in damage.

The hailstorm left a trail of damage across the northern San Antonio, mainly along a path between suburbs Helotes and Kirby. Cars were totaled across the region, including hundreds of luxury vehicles at BMW of San Antonio. The storm sent hail chunks and rain through roofs and skylights in homes, at North Star Mall and at least one H-E-B supermarket.
“There is some vehicle damage we have not seen before,” said Roberto DeLeon, Allstate Texas corporate relations manager. “There are window holes that we normally do not see. The amount and severity of the dents, we haven’t seen in very many cases. Houses have blown windows and other significant damage.”

Allstate Texas has established a Mobile Assessment Center to process auto claims for customers. Adjustors are being sent out to inspect cars that aren’t drivable, said Roberto DeLeon, Allstate Texas corporate relations manager.

USAA spokesman Rich Johnson said the company doesn’t know how long claims will continue to roll in from customers. “There’s been a drop off the last couple of days. We have field locations where people are driving in, and we are getting adjustors out to people,” he said.

The insurer, which caters to the military and their families, will be using drones to inspect San Antonio homes for hail damage Friday.

 

Safelite automotive glass repair company employee Erik White remove broken glass Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at the company’s I-10 location after a widespread overnight hail storm broke windshields throughout large swaths of the city. Photo: William Luther, Staff / William Luther / © 2016 William Luther
Photo: William Luther, Staff / William Luther
IMAGE 1 OF 35 Safelite automotive glass repair company employee Erik White remove broken glass Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at the company’s I-10 location after a widespread overnight hail storm broke windshields throughout … more
San Antonio’s April 12 hailstorm was one for the record books.

Last week’s storm and its baseball-size hail that shuttered some local businesses and pummeled cars throughout the region has produced $1.36 billion in estimated insured losses so far, making it the costliest hailstorm by dollars in Texas history, according to the Insurance Council of Texas.
San Antonio-based insurance giant USAA processed 16,500 property and 28,000 auto claims from the storm as of midday Wednesday. Losses among all insurers to automobiles in San Antonio are expected to reach $560 million, while damage to homes is expected to approach $800 million, the insurance trade group said. More than 110,000 vehicles were damaged, and thousands of homes suffered roof damage.

The violent storm rained jagged ice chunks that were as large as 4½ inches in diameter for up to 10 minutes in some areas. The state’s most expensive hailstorm was previously claimed by Fort Worth for a 1995 storm that produced an estimated $1.1 billion in damage.

Forth Worth still holds that title if adjusting for inflation. Damage from that storm would have cost $1.6 billion in today’s dollars, the Insurance Council of Texas reported Wednesday.

The most expensive weather event in Texas history was Hurricane Ike in 2008, which produced $13.04 billion in damage.

The hailstorm left a trail of damage across the northern San Antonio, mainly along a path between suburbs Helotes and Kirby. Cars were totaled across the region, including hundreds of luxury vehicles at BMW of San Antonio. The storm sent hail chunks and rain through roofs and skylights in homes, at North Star Mall and at least one H-E-B supermarket.
“There is some vehicle damage we have not seen before,” said Roberto DeLeon, Allstate Texas corporate relations manager. “There are window holes that we normally do not see. The amount and severity of the dents, we haven’t seen in very many cases. Houses have blown windows and other significant damage.”

Allstate Texas has established a Mobile Assessment Center to process auto claims for customers. Adjustors are being sent out to inspect cars that aren’t drivable, said Roberto DeLeon, Allstate Texas corporate relations manager.

USAA spokesman Rich Johnson said the company doesn’t know how long claims will continue to roll in from customers. “There’s been a drop off the last couple of days. We have field locations where people are driving in, and we are getting adjustors out to people,” he said.

The insurer, which caters to the military and their families, will be using drones to inspect San Antonio homes for hail damage Friday.
“We believe UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) can help us serve members after a catastrophe — faster information about damage,” spokesman Roger Wildermuth said in an email. The company already has been doing testing in more rural locations.

Uninsured loses from homeowners and vehicle owners without coverage also were expected to be high, the trade association said. The insured loss estimates were taken from company-projected losses.

The damage won’t immediately translate into higher insurance premiums for San Antonians, said Mark Hanna, spokesman for the Insurance Council of Texas.

“If you look at San Antonio’s history, you’ve been fortunate,” Hanna said. “Insurance companies will look back in a five-to-10-year period, and they will look ahead, as well. They look at a long period to spread the losses over time. No one city would be hit by one event.”

The city suffered lesser hailstorms in 2012 and in 2001, he said.

 

Safelite automotive glass repair company employee Erik White remove broken glass Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at the company’s I-10 location after a widespread overnight hail storm broke windshields throughout large swaths of the city. Photo: William Luther, Staff / William Luther / © 2016 William Luther
Photo: William Luther, Staff / William Luther
IMAGE 1 OF 35 Safelite automotive glass repair company employee Erik White remove broken glass Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at the company’s I-10 location after a widespread overnight hail storm broke windshields throughout … more
San Antonio’s April 12 hailstorm was one for the record books.

Last week’s storm and its baseball-size hail that shuttered some local businesses and pummeled cars throughout the region has produced $1.36 billion in estimated insured losses so far, making it the costliest hailstorm by dollars in Texas history, according to the Insurance Council of Texas.
San Antonio-based insurance giant USAA processed 16,500 property and 28,000 auto claims from the storm as of midday Wednesday. Losses among all insurers to automobiles in San Antonio are expected to reach $560 million, while damage to homes is expected to approach $800 million, the insurance trade group said. More than 110,000 vehicles were damaged, and thousands of homes suffered roof damage.

The violent storm rained jagged ice chunks that were as large as 4½ inches in diameter for up to 10 minutes in some areas. The state’s most expensive hailstorm was previously claimed by Fort Worth for a 1995 storm that produced an estimated $1.1 billion in damage.

Forth Worth still holds that title if adjusting for inflation. Damage from that storm would have cost $1.6 billion in today’s dollars, the Insurance Council of Texas reported Wednesday.

The most expensive weather event in Texas history was Hurricane Ike in 2008, which produced $13.04 billion in damage.

The hailstorm left a trail of damage across the northern San Antonio, mainly along a path between suburbs Helotes and Kirby. Cars were totaled across the region, including hundreds of luxury vehicles at BMW of San Antonio. The storm sent hail chunks and rain through roofs and skylights in homes, at North Star Mall and at least one H-E-B supermarket.
“There is some vehicle damage we have not seen before,” said Roberto DeLeon, Allstate Texas corporate relations manager. “There are window holes that we normally do not see. The amount and severity of the dents, we haven’t seen in very many cases. Houses have blown windows and other significant damage.”

Allstate Texas has established a Mobile Assessment Center to process auto claims for customers. Adjustors are being sent out to inspect cars that aren’t drivable, said Roberto DeLeon, Allstate Texas corporate relations manager.

USAA spokesman Rich Johnson said the company doesn’t know how long claims will continue to roll in from customers. “There’s been a drop off the last couple of days. We have field locations where people are driving in, and we are getting adjustors out to people,” he said.

The insurer, which caters to the military and their families, will be using drones to inspect San Antonio homes for hail damage Friday.
“We believe UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) can help us serve members after a catastrophe — faster information about damage,” spokesman Roger Wildermuth said in an email. The company already has been doing testing in more rural locations.

Uninsured loses from homeowners and vehicle owners without coverage also were expected to be high, the trade association said. The insured loss estimates were taken from company-projected losses.

The damage won’t immediately translate into higher insurance premiums for San Antonians, said Mark Hanna, spokesman for the Insurance Council of Texas.

“If you look at San Antonio’s history, you’ve been fortunate,” Hanna said. “Insurance companies will look back in a five-to-10-year period, and they will look ahead, as well. They look at a long period to spread the losses over time. No one city would be hit by one event.”

The city suffered lesser hailstorms in 2012 and in 2001, he said.
“It’s not like the Dallas-Fort Worth area that gets pounded year after year,” he said, noting that rates are higher there because it’s a tornado area and in the hail belt. “You don’t have to go far in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to find someone who has had two or three new roofs in the last 15 to 20 years. That’s not the case in San Antonio.”

Randall County in the Panhandle, Bell County in Central Texas and Dallas County in North Texas are the state’s three top stormiest counties, according to a report from Allstate Monday. Tarrant County, which includes Fort Worth, is No. 11. Bexar County is No. 14.

The Allstate rankings are based on the highest frequencies of wind, hail and lightning claims from homeowners between 2011 and 2015.

Insurance companies are active on multiple fronts in Texas this week, especially with the flooding in and around Houston.

Hanna said the Insurance Council of Texas is estimating 30,000 Houston-area automobiles have been totaled or rendered useless because of flooding, coming to about $200 million in total auto damage just from vehicles with comprehensive insurance coverage.

The council has not yet seen numbers for Houston-area homeowner’s claims, Hanna said. Homeowner insurance policies do not cover flood damage, but they cover wind and rain and other related damage.

Homeowners with mortgages on houses in flood zones are required by their mortgage companies to buy the separate flood insurance policies, Hanna explained.
dhendricks@express-news.net