Ice storms strike New York, Midwest. (Briefing).

Ice and wind storms that swept through the Midwest and on to the East Coast left a large number of insurance claims in their wake.

Beginning Jan. 30, a wave of winter storms battered homes and businesses throughout the Midwest, knocking out power in many areas.

Ken Muth, a spokesman for American Family Insurance Group, a prominent personal lines writer in much of the Midwest, said the company received 4,200 property claims thus far and 1,000 auto claims--most of the latter related to trees falling on vehicles.

"We have the whole gamut of property claims, mostly of trees falling on roofs and fences," Muth said. "There are also claims for water damage and overflowing septic systems."

It's too early to give a dollar estimate of the claims, Muth said.

Joe Moss, executive director of the Kansas region for Farmers Insurance Group, said the company has an estimated 1,200 claims in that state related to the storms, which lasted three days. About 1,400 claims were reported in neighboring Missouri. Most of those claims are related to food spoilage, downed trees and fifes, said Moss.

Homeowners Multiperil

Group rankings are based on direct premiums written, 2000.

                    Kansas   Missouri
                    Market     Market
Companies        Share (%)  Share (%)

State Farm           23.54      24.25
American Family      15.05      19.25
Zurich/Farmers       13.79      10.35

Source: A.M. Best Co. State/Line Product data.