Published: April 23, 2008 09:08 am         

Auto claims clinics hit town

By Lacie Morrison
lmorrison@mineralwellsindex.com

Several insurance agencies are hosting car clinics to process the thousands of claims that they've received since Thursday's hail storm.

“They were calling within five minutes of the hail hitting,” said Phil Luker, of State Farm Insurance.

When asked how Thursday's storm compared to previous incidents, the 18-year insurance veteran said, “It was one of the worst hail storms I've seen - the size of the hail and how long it fell. When it's [the hail] usually this big, it's not this widespread.”

He said they were receiving claims from all areas of Mineral Wells. Luker estimated his office has turned in between 1,200 and 1,300 claims for automobiles and homes.

State Farm Insurance agent April Martin calculated they've received almost 1,300 claims as of Tuesday afternoon.

With a car clinic set up to process claims, Martin said they are calling people to set up appointments. “We've been working seven days a week.”

In her 19 years in the insurance business, Martin recalled the last major storm was in 1999, “but the damage, the hail was much larger this time.”

Farm Bureau Insurance's Pat Bazzell said they are calling and scheduling their participants for a clinic beginning today.

“Cars need to be clean,” she advised, as it helps to show the damages. She said they've had more than 1,000 claims at their office.

Auto Claims Clinics
Here are the locations that insurance companies are conducting auto damage clinics:
• Farm Bureau at McGraw Motors today.
• Progressive Insurance at Roger Williams Body Shop in Weatherford.
• Farmers Insurance at Durant Toyota in Weatherford.
• State Farm Insurance at the old Wilmer Crum building, 3615 U.S. Highway 180 East. Space leased for 30 days.
• AIG at Ramada Inn in Mineral Wells.

Repairs
For repairs check out these local businesses:
• Collision Center – (940) 325-1152
• Davis Glass & Body Works – (940) 325-4585
• North Oak Paint & Body Glass – (940) 325-8343
• Vehicle glass installation also taking place at McGraw Motors. Call (940) 325-2551 for an appointment, ask for service.

Information provided by McGraw Motors.