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

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

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

To assist victims dealing with immense losses, Mo. Gov. Jay Nixon signed an executive order on May 26 forbidding insurance companies from raising rates or cancelling policies for consumers. The order runs for 30 days in Jasper and Newton counties with the possibility of an extension.

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

Special Reports /

Nearly 17,000 Claims Filed So Far From Joplin Tornado

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