R Betzen Insurance Agency LLC

11/24/2025

So true. Managing bills can be overwhelming, but we’re here to tell you that life insurance is more affordable than you probably think.

11/24/2025

48 short years ago today, November 24th, 1977, I wrote my first 2 auto policies for Farmers on a paper application, took me about an hour to do it. Thankfully I got the hang of it and since then, there have been hundreds, if not thousands written, we're still at it today, and we do it much faster. My agency would love to help you with any of your insurance concerns and needs. Give Maria or Vicki a call. I know we can help you and you'll love our service! Thanks for the past 48 years!

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02/07/2024

Auto Hail Claims Shot Up 85% Last Year to Add to Insurer Misery.
More frequent and severe storms, especially hailstorms, are a major culprit as carriers continue to face costly repairs and high labor costs.
By Varada Bhat|February 7, 2024

The number of hail claims for damaged autos skyrocketed last year, signaling steeper losses for insurers, who have already been battered by more costly repairs and spiraling labor costs.

There were 372,094 auto claims in 2023, up almost 85% from 200,317 in 2022, according to the ClaimSearch database by Verisk, which noted that some insurers choose not to be included in the data. That’s more than twice the 152,311 in 2021 and the 184,535 in 2020, according to the Jersey City, N.J.-based firm.

More frequent severe thunderstorms now account for a much larger proportion of overall annual losses and can no longer be considered a secondary peril, according to Arindam Samanta, director of product management and underwriting solutions at Verisk. In addition, urban sprawl, higher labor costs and supply-chain disruptions are also pushing losses up.

In 2023, severe thunderstorms caused more than 70% of insured losses with eight multibillion-dollar events. Globally, severe thunderstorms contribute almost 40% to the average annual insured loss, according to the catastrophe-modeling company AIR Worldwide. U.S. severe storms alone make up 21% of the global average.
Hail claims spike
Major insurers such as USAA and Liberty Mutual had an unprecedented rise in hail claims in 2023, primarily driven by events in states such as Colorado and Texas. Inflationary pressures affecting the insurance industry are also leading to a surge in claim settlement costs.

“We are seeing a significant increase in hail claim severity, driven by rising parts and labor costs,” said a Liberty Mutual spokesperson.

San Antonio, Texas-based USAA saw a 148% jump in claims last year from 2022, driven by increases in Texas, Colorado and Oklahoma and an 85% increase in auto-related hail claims in 2023 from 2019. Last year, claims also rose in states including Missouri, New Mexico, Georgia, Illinois and Florida, but each had fewer than 2,000 claims, the insurer said. Meanwhile, the cost of claims climbed 46% over the five-year average from 2018 to 2022.

Advanced tech adds to cost

The No. 5 personal lines insurer says the reason for the sharp increase in hail costs is partly due to the advanced technology in cars. Hail damage for auto insurers can be anything from windshields and aluminum panels to advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). Replacement sensors must be calibrated to ensure they are in the correct position and working correctly.

“ADAS features vary from vehicle to vehicle, resulting in a different calibration process for every make and model,” said a USAA spokesperson.

01/13/2024

When the snow piles up, remember that just four feet of the fluffy stuff could stress the average roof. Clearing it off with a roof rake can help you protect your home.

01/12/2024

Working on mapping out your financial goals? As your Farmers Insurance and Financial Service Agent, I can discuss financial services options, to help you make an informed choice. Give me a call.

01/11/2024

Candles bring that warm holiday glow. But be careful. It’s no coincidence that home fires related to candles peak in December. Consider battery-powered, flameless candles instead.

01/01/2024

Ring in the New Year with Farmers.

12/27/2023

Turning the page on 2023 may mean your home insurance is about to renew. That’s a good time to do a quick coverage review and make sure you’re getting all of your discounts. I can help.

12/21/2023

Flat tires don’t wait for the new year. Having an emergency kit in your trunk could help you stay safe if you broke down on the road or had to make an unplanned stop. Just be sure to pull off the pavement as far as you can to wait for assistance to arrive.

12/19/2023

Holiday travelers — don’t forget to pack an umbrella (as in, the insurance policy). It’s there to help if you run into trouble and the costs exceed the liability limits of your primary insurance policies. Call me.

12/16/2023

The best things come in small boxes. Or big ones, for that matter. Either way, your valuables — think jewelry, electronics, and collectibles — may need higher limits. I can help you figure that out.

12/15/2023

High-ticket purchases are exciting. Keeping track of your receipts and taking photos of your new things is not — but it’s important, in case you ever needed to file a claim.