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Insurance agents from State Farm arrived on Thursday, Sept. 18 and opened a mobile office in Deerfield Twp. to help answer questions for residents whose property was damaged by Sunday's wind storm.Click to enlarge

DEERFIELD TWP. — Here's another familiar scene this week in the aftermath of Sunday's wind storm:

Home owners tracking down their insurance agents.

On Thursday Sept. 18, Don Anderson was the first client to visit a mobile claims office State Farm set up in the parking lot of a Lowes hardware store in Deerfield Twp.

Anderson, who lives in Symmes Twp. south of Deerfield Twp. and Mason, hasn't heard back from his agent and wanted help with damaged shingles on property he owns in Indiana.

"I saw them here and if I was going to give them a call today anyway, I figured it would be easier to talk to these guys," Anderson said.

State Farm opened about 1 p.m. to help customers who have property damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. Employees are available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. There will be at least two house insurance agents and at least one car insurance agent on hand to offer advice about the claims process and what people can claim on their insurance.

Since the wind storm, 25,129 home claims and 2,680 auto claims have been filed by Ohio residents with State Farm, Kim Lust, a spokeswoman for the insurance company said.

State Farm is not processing damage claims at the mobile location on Mason-Montgomery Road. But people can call (800) 732-5246 or log on to www.statefarm.com to start the claims process.

Lust asked that people be patient, they are working hard trying to help everyone.

"We are working very hard to help those customers who have sustained the worst damage," Lust said. "It's like triage in a medical situation. You want to take care of those who are most severely injured first. We do the same with our homeowners. We will eventually get to everyone."

Advice for property owners with storm damage:

• Go ahead and clean up damage by removing downed trees, but take pictures;

• Keep your receipts for purchases if you buy a tarp for the roof;

• Secure the property from further damage or theft;

• Get a written estimate before you file your claim, because it might not exceed your deductible;

• Make sure your agent has a way to reach you, they usually only have home phone numbers in the file.