Personal lines insurer Westfield Insurance said it received more than 10,000 claims from September windstorm activity that caused the Westfield, Ohio-based firm a $44 million loss.
To date, the company said more than 88 percent of claims have been closed and Westfield has paid out losses totaling $40 million, including $4 million in farm insurance claims.
The firm, which also provides commercial, home and car insurance, said after Sept. 14 when extra tropical cyclone activity linked up with the remnants of Hurricane Ike and tore through Ohio and Kentucky, it experienced a company record 10,000-plus claims.
Westfield said within five days after the windstorms it had made contact with 95 percent of policyholders reporting damages, and after the initial rush of storm claims, the insurance provider made contact within a day of receipt.
"Westfield came together and pulled all its resources to ensure every policyholder experienced the excellent claims service they deserve during these desperate times," said Senior Executive of Claims Mike Prandi.
Mr. Prandi said the firm "set up regional storm operations in several remote areas in Ohio and Kentucky to ensure we met the demands of all our policyholders."
The storms created one of Ohio's largest natural disasters since the Xenia tornado of 1974.
Westfield said it began the contact process and within two days of the event, most of its offices were fully staffed with more than 200 employees supporting the largest catastrophe response in company history.
According to the Ohio Insurance Institute, an estimated $553 million in insured losses across Ohio were caused by the windstorms.
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