Joplin: Lessons Learned After the Storm

More than half of Americans don’t have a home inventory of their possessions, according to a February 2012 survey from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. This was highlighted by the many Joplin residents who were underinsured when the tornado destroyed homes and apartment buildings.

“Some consumer issues we were not able to help people with because they simply did not have an adequate amount of coverage,” said Missouri Insurance Director John M. Huff.

Of the 7,000 people who were displaced within the tornado zone, slightly more than 40 percent had no insurance, said Steve Keeney, a Shelter Insurance catastrophe adjuster.

“That resulted in the 600 FEMA trailers that are now on the north side of Joplin to house and accommodate those that were displaced,” Keeney said.

The insurance issues have spawned a consumer awareness campaign, Huff said.