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State Farm Helping Customers Recover

Customers may call 1-800-SF-Claim to report claims

State Farm’s priority is making sure everyone is safe and taking care of customers’ needs as quickly as possible. State Farm’s state-of-the-art Catastrophe Team, the industry’s largest mobile workforce of experienced claim representatives is actively helping our customers recover.

Once it is safe to do so, customers should call their State Farm Agent to report claims. If you can’t reach your State Farm Agent, you can report your claim by calling our toll-free number 1-800-SFCLAIM (800-732-5246). This number is currently active for all areas affected by Sandy. You can also report your claim on StateFarm.com or report your automobile claim on your mobile phone using the Pocket Agent® app.

Frozen Pipes

Pipes freeze for a combination of three central reasons: quick drops in temperature, poor insulation, and thermostats set too low. Both plastic and copper pipes can burst when they freeze, and recovering from frozen pipes is not as simple as calling a plumber. A 1/8-inch crack in a pipe can spew up to 250 gallons of water a day, causing flooding, serious structural damage, and the immediate potential for mold.

Tips to prevent frozen pipes:

• A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. Let warm water drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall.
• Keep your thermostat set at the same temperature during both day and night. You might be in the habit of turning down the heat when you’re asleep, but further drops in the temperature – more common overnight – could catch you off guard and freeze your pipes.
• Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to un-insulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.

Protect Your Roof From Snow

On your home’s roof, excessive snow and ice buildup can cause both property damage and personal injury. Here are some things to know:

Understand the dangers – Heavy loads of ice and snow can create serious problems for your home:

• Injuries from snow and ice falling from sloped roofs
• Roof collapse, especially on flat roofs
• Carbon monoxide poisoning resulting from blocked chimneys and vents
• Water damage from ice dams that form on the edges of roofs and in gutters

Watch for warning signs – Recognize the signs of stress when too much snow and ice has accumulated on your roof:

• Sagging ridgeline
• Drooping ceilings
• Water leaks on interior walls and ceilings
• Jammed doors
• Cracked interior walls near the center of your home
• Creaking sounds

Contact

Amy Preddy, State Farm Public Affairs, (434) 872-5211.

About State Farm®

State Farm and its affiliates are the largest provider of car insurance in the U.S. and is a leading insurer in Canada. In addition to providing auto insurance quotes, their 17,800 agents and more than 65,000 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts - more than 79 million auto, home, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is also available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 43 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com or in Canada http://www.statefarm.ca.