An insurance company says the claims it has received from a late July hailstorm in Olds dwarf those it has received from previous storms.
The Co-operators senior communications consultant Leonard Sharman says as of late last week, the company had received 110 vehicle damage claims and 70 home damage claims.
That's far greater than in 2012, when the company received a total of 60 claims.
Sherman says in 2011, hail the size of softballs slammed into barns and sheds outside Olds, but he did not provide any figures on damage claims for that storm.
He says on average, the firm receives 20 to 30 hail damage claims in Olds and area during any given summer.
The storm slammed into Olds and area on July 28 at around 7 p.m., hurling down hail between the sizes of quarters and loonies.
In order to process vehicle claims as quickly and efficiently as possible, on Aug. 2, The Co-operators set up an appraisal clinic in the old Stevenson Homes offices behind Smitty's.
Once vehicle damage has been assessed, clients have a choice ñ they can have the damage repaired via firms approved by the insurance company or a company of their choice, or they can accept an upfront payout.
"It's always up to the client to decide where the vehicle is repaired," Sherman says.
When it comes to property damage ñ including damage to homes ñ the same thing applies.
"As soon as we can estimate the value of the damage, we can make an offer to the client to settle the claim," Sherman says.
"If they choose to use their own contractor, we can pay them upfront immediately. We realize that roofers in the area are very busy, so the sooner we can assess the damage, the sooner clients are able to have repairs completed."
"We realize that roofers in the area are very busy, so the sooner we can assess the damage, the sooner clients are able to have repairs completed."LEONARD SHERMANSENIOR COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT THE COOPERATORS
