Jul 25, 2009 6:31 pm US/Mountain
Insurance Companies Set Up Drive-Thrus After Storm
Written by Andrea Lopez
DENVER (CBS4) ―
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The units, which is similar to a recreational vehicle or RV, are self-sufficient -- set up to operate off of generators and stay connected to its main offices via a satellite dish which facilitates phone, fax and computer services.
CBS
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An image of damage caused by the late Monday night storm.
CBS
Monday night's massive storm caused enough major damage to parts of Arvada and Wheat Ridge to warrant two major insurance companies sending out their mobile claims units. Allstate and American Family Insurance both set up mobile claims offices along the storm's corridor. These units usually respond to major disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes and fires.
Allstate has a unit set up in the Home Depot parking lot near the intersection of Wadsworth and Interstate 70. The unit, which is similar to a recreational vehicle or RV, is self-sufficient -- set up to operate off of generators and stay connected to its main offices via a satellite dish which facilitates phone, fax and computer services.
"We set these up in devastated areas so that our customers can come here rather than having to go other places," said Jerry Higgins with Allstate. "With the phone service and power outages, things like that, they can come by here and file their claim. They can give information regarding what needs to take place, what they need to do as far as emergency repairs, get the claim going, until the adjustor actually picks up the claim and takes care of it on the other end."
American Family Insurance has also set up a mobile claims office at the northwest corner of 6th Avenue and Kipling in the Furniture Row parking lot. It has five drive-through lanes where people can have their vehicles inspected by insurance adjustors.
"I had hail damage from last Monday's storm," said Tracey Stewart from Brighton.
Stewart was at work in the Wheat Ridge area when the storm hit. Hail stones broke her tail lights, pieces of the plastic strips around her passenger-side door, took out a chunk of a hub cap, and pitted every panel on her mini-van.
"They're planning on totaling it," she said.
Stewart came to American Family's drive-through to get her car inspected. Although the news about her car was devastating to her because she says this is the nicest car she's ever owned; she thought the convenience of the drive through was helpful.
"Oh I think this is fabulous. I know when I went to my insurance company, the claims department, they were real quick. They got me right in for an appointment today. So, you can come right here. They don't have to drive out to my house or try to make time."
Both units arrived at the end of last week. Allstate estimates it will be there until next Friday. American Family Insurance says it will stay as long as it's needed. Both insurance companies are operating their mobile offices seven days a week until they leave.
Allstate policy holders can contact (800) 54-STORM for more information on storm claims. American Family Insurance says people can also call (800) MY-AMFAM to have their vehicles inspected.
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