State Farm, Allstate Report Few Claims in Earthquake Aftermath

Despite a sizable earthquake event in the Midwest on Friday, April 18th, Bloomington, Ill.-based State Farm and Northbrook, Ill.-based Allstate Insurance say they haven’t heard of much damage from the southern Illinois earthquake, where both companies have homeowners insurance customers.

State Farm spokeswoman Missy Lundberg says the insurer had received fewer than 10 claims but expected more to be filed as time goes on. She says the early damage claims were mostly for drywall cracks and some cracks in house foundations.

Allstate spokeswoman Shaundra Turner says that the quake didn’t appear to cause a lot of harm to its customers.

Both insurers are working with their customers and circulating tips on how to prepare for earthquakes or deal with the damage afterwards — including keeping updated inventories of their possessions.

Separately, Exelon Nuclear says none of its six Illinois nuclear power plants are affected by the temblor.

In spite of few reports about damage, seismologists say at least 11 aftershocks have been reported in Illinois since the 5.2 magnitude quake startled residents on Friday.. .

The U.S. Geological Survey reported four smaller quakes Saturday in southern Illinois, including two 2.8 magnitude near Bellmont and a 1.3 magnitude near Mount Carmel.

Seven aftershocks were reported on Friday. The biggest was a 4.6 magnitude near Bellmont.