Although millions of dollars in insurance claim settlements have already been delivered to policyholders, a Texas insurance association is urging claimants to exercise patience with the process.

The Insurance Council of Texas (ICT), a P/C trade association, is reporting that thousands of insurance claim adjusters are examining the damage left behind by Hurricane Ike from the Texas coast to the Arkansas border. But it cautioned that many who are there helping have experienced losses, as well.

"Agents and claim adjusters work their hardest following catastrophes," said Mark Hanna, spokesman for ICT, in a release. "Many of the agents' homes and businesses were damaged by Hurricane Ike and they're deluged with claims while working without power and under harsh conditions. They're trying to reach and comfort as many people as possible in any given day." Hanna went on to say that catastrophe teams rushed first to areas that experienced the heaviest damage.

ICT said that Ike is expected to exceed the damage of Hurricane Rita, which created 180,000 damage claims in Texas alone. More than 99 percent of Rita's claims were settled without the need to file a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance, according to ICT.

Due high claim counts, adjusters may be dealing with hundreds of claims at a time involving homes, cars, RVs, boats, and motorcycles. They are also expected to work 12 hours a day, seven days a week. Because of this, policyholders are urged to be patient and be prepared to offer adjusters as much information on their damage as possible.

Interested in more catastrophe news and in-depth articles? Head over to Claims' catastrophe channel for more information.

Special Reports /

Texas Insurance Association: Be Patient with Ike Claims

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