Insurers opened for business over the weekend as they dealt with a rush of claims after the direct hit from Hurricane Gonzalo.

Freisenbruch-Meyer, Argus, BF&M and Colonial were busy as hundreds of residents reported damage to their property.

A spokesman for Colonial said yesterday afternoon that the company had received 100 calls over the weekend.

“It’s very early days, but it does not appear to be as serious as it could have been,” he added.

The Colonial Insurance office can be contacted on 296-3700.

Argus encouraged clients to call the Argus Claims Hurricane Hotline at 298-0888 for queries or filing a report relating to any damage caused by the storm. Clients can also reach customer service representatives on 295-2021.

Claimants are urged to file their damage reports by phone or in person and to take photos of damaged property. Then the company will send in adjusters as soon as possible.

Argus also urged residents to obtain estimates for repair work and not “to be rushed into signing a contract”.

“Likewise, never pay for the entire repair upfront, instead wait until the repairs are complete,” Argus advised. “If you have any concerns about estimates you receive, please do not hesitate to contact Argus.”

The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) urged claimants to contact their insurers as soon as possible to begin the recovery process.

“Our thoughts are with those who’ve been impacted by Hurricane Gonzalo,” said PCI’s director of personal lines, Chris Hackett. “Insurance agents are starting to go out in the field to help those impacted by Hurricane Gonzalo file claims and begin putting their lives back together.”

The PCI’s director of personal lines, Chris Hackett, said: “Once you have filed your claim, there are a number of things you can do such as photograph the damage and make an inventory of what was lost and damaged to help expedite the recovery process.”

The PCI advised residents to cover holes in their roofs and windows as soon as possible to prevent further damage; to have as much information as possible on lost or damaged property ready for the claims adjuster’s visit; make a list of damaged items, with photographs, or receipts if available; and not to throw out damaged furniture or other expensive items before the claims adjuster has had a chance to see them.

PCI is a US trade association with more than 1,000 member companies.