Insurers Mobilize to Assist With New Mexico Hail Damage Claims

The unusually large hail that recently pounded Las Cruces, N.M., has residents scrambling to call insurance agents over damaged roofs and dented vehicles.

Saturday’s storm dropped golf ball-sized hail left Sonoma Ranch Golf Course unplayable, reported Las Cruces Sun-News reports, and six skylights in the golf club’s restaurant were broken.

“It’s like a bad haircut. It will grow back,” said Daniel Trujillo, groundskeeper at Sonoma Ranch.

“We had ice in our restaurant,” added Gabriel Rubio, head golf professional at Sonoma Ranch Golf Course, which has become the Las Cruces Golf Club. He couldn’t say exactly what repairs will cost, but said “it’s going to be a pretty penny.”

Residents, meanwhile, are contending with home and vehicle damage, including broken windshields and skylights.

“It was pretty intense,” Serena Calvin said Monday. “Where I had the roof repaired several years ago, I could see where the hail ripped that all apart again. I’ve got splotches on my ceiling where the rain soaked through. The skylights got shattered, and I had to use clear, heavy duty plastic and duct tape to seal it back up until I can get those replaced. It’s a mess, a complete, utter mess.”

State Farm insurance is finalizing plans to open a mobile claims center in Las Cruces later this week, according to spokesman Victor Rodriguez. He said State Farm insures about one of every five cars and homes in New Mexico.

Farmers Insurance district sales manager Ken Miyagishima says his company has designated Las Cruces a “catastrophe area” and will send adjusters to process claims.