As of June 1, major insurance companies in the Joplin area havereceived a total of 16,979 claims from the EF-5 tornado that ripped through thearea May 22.

The majority of these were auto insurance claims (8,995),followed by homeowners insurance claims (6,149), commercialproperty claims (1,081), renters insurance claims (442), andcommercial vehicle claims (312).

These claims consist of those reported to the MissouriDepartment of Insurance by the major companies that make up morethan 72 percent of Missouri’s homeowners insurance market.

To assist victims dealing with immense losses, Mo. Gov. Jay Nixon signedan executive order on May 26 forbidding insurance companies fromraising rates or cancelling policies for consumers. The order runsfor 30 days in Jasper and Newton counties with the possibility ofan extension.

“As Gov. Nixon has said, Joplin will be rebuilt stronger thanbefore, and the insurance industry will play a vital role,” saidJohn M. Huff, director of the Missouri Department of Insurance.“Consumers can be confident that their insurers have the financialstrength to pay claims and meet their obligations. Overseeing thatfinancial health is one of our most important jobs asregulators.”