Pueblo Hailstorm Insured Losses Estimated at $105.8 Million

Colorado is living up to its “hail alley” reputation this summer, with last week’s third catastrophic storm of the season again topping the $100 million mark. Damage from the July 29th hailstorm is estimated at $105.8 million in insured losses to homes and vehicles from approximately 22,000 claims, according to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association. Golf ball-sized hail battered homes and pounded vehicles across Pueblo and tennis ball-sized hail hammered areas southeast of the city. Since the storm moved through in the late afternoon, the majority of claims are damage to cars with 15,800 auto claims and 6,200 homeowner claims filed so far.

This latest storm damage, in combination with a week of wild weather from June 6-15 that caused an estimated $161.1 million in damage to property and cars in Aurora, Parker, Centennial and Fort Collins, and the July 20th hail and windstorm that has so far resulted in an estimated $350 million in auto and homeowner claims in Wheat Ridge, Lakewood and Arvada, makes it the most expensive catastrophe season in Colorado since a 45-minute hail storm caused $625 million in damage on July 11, 1990. This season is Colorado’s second most expensive in terms of actual insurance payouts and costs adjusted for inflation. The insured losses this summer have totaled approximately $617 million in damage, RMIIA said.

“Mother Nature obviously isn’t concerned about the recession, as she continues on her own insurance spending spree, ringing up hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to Colorado homes and cars,” says Carole Walker, RMIIA executive director. “This latest storm to hit Pueblo is a reminder that severe weather season is far from over and NOW is the time to consider how much insurance coverage you have to fix your car, repair or rebuild your home and replace your personal belongings.”

Source: RMIIA