N.C. Coastal Residents Begin Filing Claims From Ophelia

North Carolina insurance companies began taking claims on Friday from coastal residents who lost property due to Hurricane Ophelia and reported claims varied from minor to severe.

Several carriers, like Allstate, had moved Catastrophe Claims vans into coastal areas and were dealing with claims that resulted from the heavy rains and 85 mph winds.

Insurance broker David Nelson told the New Bern Sun Journal that adjusters will be available at Farm Bureau Insurance in Grantham on Monday.

As of Friday, only reports of minor damage, such as shingles that had blown off, had been reported. Nelson suggested that residents who did not receive damage should visit their insurance agent anyway, to review policies for the next storm.

“It’s the most important thing they can do,” Nelson said. He suggested that residents with damage should secure it to prevent additional damage and contact their insurance agent.

He said it is too early to estimate damage costs in the area.