State Farm® Responds to Sandy
Customers may call 1-800-SF-Claim to report claims
October 29, 2012 – State Farm® is helping West Virginia customers affected by Sandy. 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 responding quickly. Catastrophe Response Vehicles are deploying to affected cities to best serve State Farm policyholders as they begin the claim process.
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.
After the storm:
- Check on neighbors, friends and loved ones to make sure they are okay.
- Move to a public shelter if you’re without power or heat. Avoid travel until roads are clear. If you must go out, use public transportation. The Red Cross reports around 70 percent of deaths related to ice and snow occur in automobiles.
- Wear proper clothing—a hat, gloves and warm layers of loose, lightweight clothing—when clearing sidewalks and driveways.
- Allow a slow drip from hot and cold faucets to relive pressure that may build up inside pipes and cause them to burst.
If your power is out:
- If possible, use flashlights instead of candles for emergency lighting. Candles used in unfamiliar settings can be dangerous fire hazards.
- Turn off or disconnect any appliances, equipment, or electronics that were on when the power went out. When power comes back on, it may come back with momentary "surges" or "spikes"* that can damage equipment such as computers and motors in appliances like the air conditioner, refrigerator, washer, or furnace.
- Leave one light on so you know when the power returns.
- Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer. This will help keep your food as fresh as possible. Be sure to check food for signs of spoilage.
- Use generators safely. If you have a portable generator, only run it outdoors with adequate ventilation. Never use a generator indoors or in attached garages. The exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, which can be deadly if inhaled.
- Listen to the radio for updates
Tips for driving in ice or snow:
- Slow down. Bridges and overpasses freeze first, so take it slow and avoid sudden changes in speed or direction.
- Keep windows clear. Visibility is crucial, especially in bad weather. Turn the wipers on and crank up the defroster, if necessary. And make sure that all items are removed from the back window area. If you're still having trouble seeing, safely pull over to the side of the road.
- Brake cautiously. Abrupt braking can cause lock-up and loss of steering control. If you have anti-lock brakes, apply constant, firm pressure to the pedal.
- Resist the urge to "floor it." If you get stuck in snow, straighten the wheels and accelerate slowly. Avoid spinning the tires. Use sand or blocks under the drive wheels.
If you are stranded in your vehicle, stay calm and follow these tips:
- Pull off the highway (if possible), turn on your hazard lights and hang a distress flag from an antenna or window.
- If you have a phone, call 911 and describe your location as precisely as possible. Follow any instructions from the dispatcher.
- Remain in your vehicle so help can find you.
- Run your vehicle's engine and heater about 10 minutes each hour to keep warm. Open a downwind window slightly for ventilation and clear snow from the exhaust pipe to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Exercise a little to maintain body heat, but avoid overexertion and sweating.
- Drink fluids to avoid dehydration.
- Don't waste your vehicle's battery power. Balance electrical energy needs - lights, heat and radio - with supply.
- At night, turn on an inside light when you run the engine so help can see you.
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.
