September 30, 2011
By: Carrie Van Brunt-Wiley
Storm and crop damage totals in Kansas hit an all-time record in 2011, according to a new report.
The Kansas Department of Insurance estimates that property insurance losses exceeded $1 billion through the first eight months of the year.
Sandy Praeger, commissioner of the KID, said insurers received approximately 197,000 claims.
"This is a record amount of storm-caused property damage for the state," said Praeger. "Our records go back to 1990, and this year's surpasses the previous record in 1992 by $300 million. And, we still have the rest of 2011 to go."
While multiple environmental disasters occurred in Kansas in the summer months, April tornadoes accounted for more than half of the $1 billion in losses, as insurers received 66,000 claims for the 30-day period.
Praeger stated that damage estimates took several things into account, such as the rising costs of materials, labor and claim adjustments, which may force insurers to increase premiums next year.
"It's been a tough storm year for Kansans and for the companies that insure them," she said.
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