Colo. Hail Damage Tops $19 Million

A storm that brought hail the size of half dollars caused at least $19.4 million in damages in the Pueblo, Colo., area, based on claims made to one insurance company.

May Hendershot of State Farm Insurance said almost 5,000 claims were filed by customers because of the storm last week Thursday. State Farm has between one-fourth and one-fifth of the total insurance market, Hendershot said.

Hendershot said her company received about 3,500 claims for damaged automobiles at the Colorado State Fairgrounds, amounting to an estimated $12.2 million in damages.

The remaining 1,200 or so claims were for homeowner policies and involved damaged roofs, sheds, lawn furniture and other items, she said.

Colorado Springs homeowners filed about 600 claims from the storm, she said.