Jeff Hammock-State Farm Agent

Insurance is older than you might think.

**Almost 4,000 years old.**

The Code of Hammurabi, written in ancient Babylon around 1750 BC, included rules that helped merchants manage the risks of transporting goods.

A merchant could pay extra on a loan in exchange for protection from having to repay it if certain losses occurred during the journey.

It wasn't insurance as we know it today, but the basic idea was already there:

**Pay a little to transfer the risk of losing a lot.**

Nearly 4,000 years later, that basic concept hasn't changed much.

Other things, though...

**Insurance is more interesting than you think.**

⛳ **Here's an insurance policy you probably didn't know existed…**

Ever play in a golf tournament where a sign on a par 3 says:

**“HOLE-IN-ONE WINS A CAR!”** 🚗

There's actually insurance for that.

It's called **hole-in-one insurance**, a type of prize coverage that can be arranged for golf tournaments and contests.

If someone makes a qualifying hole-in-one, the coverage can provide the prize according to the terms of the contest.

And it doesn't have to be a car. These contests can offer cash, trips and other prizes too.

So the next time you see a brand-new car sitting beside a par 3, you'll know there's more happening behind that sign than just hoping somebody has a really good swing.

**Insurance is more interesting than you think.**

🔥 **Apparently Benjamin Franklin wasn't busy enough.**

Printer. Writer. Inventor. Founding Father.

And…insurance guy?

In 1752, Benjamin Franklin helped establish the Philadelphia Contributionship, one of the earliest successful property insurance organizations in America.

And here's the part I find interesting:

Homes were actually inspected before they were accepted.

Things like wooden buildings, fire hazards, and even trees located too close to a house could be a concern.

So nearly 275 years ago, people were already looking at homes and trying to figure out what made one a better risk than another.

No computers. No satellite images. No apps.

Just Benjamin Franklin and a really long checklist.

**Insurance has changed a lot since 1752. Apparently, looking closely at a house hasn't.**

Insurance is more interesting than you think.

**Back to school means back to school traffic. 🚌**

A lot of area schools started last week or today, and Springfield Public Schools starts tomorrow.

So even if you don't have a kid heading back to school, your morning routine is probably about to change a little.

School buses are back. School zones are busy again. Parents are figuring out drop-off lines. Teen drivers are heading to school. And somewhere tomorrow morning, somebody will make it halfway to school before realizing the backpack is still sitting by the front door.

Give yourself an extra few minutes, watch for buses and school zones, and have a little patience with everyone getting back into the routine.

Hope all of our students, teachers, school staff—and parents—have a great school year!

Springfield Hailstorm Update #3

Good morning, everyone. Wanted to share another update along with a great resource.
State Farm has posted an official response to the April 28th hailstorm on their newsroom. It covers how claims are being handled, ways to file, and tips for inspecting your property safely — all in one place.

You can read the full article here:
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/state-farm-helping-customers-after-hail-and-severe-weather-in-springfield-mo/

State Farm’s catastrophe response team — the largest in the insurance industry — is deployed and on the ground. An onsite claims facility is being set up in Springfield for face-to-face support, and claims teams are working to contact every policyholder as quickly as possible.

If you haven’t filed a claim yet and need to, here are your options:
• Call or email our office 417-869-4640
• Call 1-800-SF-CLAIM
• File through the State Farm mobile app
• File online at statefarm.com/claims
• Text “CLAIM” to 62789

Thank you,
Jeff, Becky & Ashley

State Farm® Claims - File a Claim, Manage a Claim | State Farm® With State Farmʼs website, app, and lots of helpful resources, filing and managing your claim is fast and easy.

Good morning, everyone. I just got off a conference call with State Farm's claims leadership and wanted to share an update on where things stand.
Staffing: State Farm is deploying 266 claims specialists to our area, many already on the ground, with the rest arriving over the next few days. They'll be working extended hours, seven days a week. Please understand that with over 5,000 vehicles affected as of last night — and still climbing — plus significant homeowner claims, this will take time. But the pace is going to pick up meaningfully in the coming days.
First Contact: Claims teams are actively reaching out to every policyholder as quickly as possible. That initial call is the starting point — they'll walk you through your options, assess the situation, and determine the best path forward for your specific claim. If you haven't heard from anyone yet, you will.
Virtual Inspections: The fastest path forward for most claims is the virtual inspection process. Your claims handler will send you a link, and you can complete the inspection by video and photo — typically about 45 minutes. This allows the full national claims team to assist, not just local staff. It's not for everyone, but if you're comfortable with it, it will likely get your claim moving sooner.
Total Loss Process: In severe cases — particularly older vehicles, generally 2019 model year and older, with extensive damage — State Farm may be able to move directly to a valuation. Every vehicle is evaluated individually during your claims contact.
Select Service: Select Service scheduling is currently turned off in Greene County — not by choice, but because local shops have reached capacity and are booked out well into the future. You can still take your vehicle to a Select Service shop if they're willing to accept the work; it just won't go through the formal referral process right now. This could change as capacity opens up.
Drive-In Location: A drive-in inspection will be set up in Springfield. The vehicles, tents, and personnel are en route — they're working on locking down the right location given the space requirements. Once it's announced, please wait for a scheduled appointment rather than showing up unannounced. Walk-ins slow the process for everyone with appointments.
In-Person Inspections: If none of the above options work for your situation, adjusters will arrange a time to come inspect your vehicle at its location.
Rental Cars: We know availability is tight. Enterprise has 15 transport trucks loaded with vehicles arriving in the Springfield area within 24 to 48 hours, and Hertz is shipping in 100 vehicles as well. In the meantime, ride-share services like Uber and Lyft are accepted under your rental coverage — the same daily and overall policy limits apply. Keep your receipts.
Glass Repairs: If your vehicle is a 2017 model year or newer, Safelite Solutions can replace up to three pieces of glass. Getting glass back in your car means you can keep driving it and save your rental coverage for when the vehicle goes into the shop for body work.
Thanks,
Jeff, Becky & Ashley

🌩️ Springfield Hailstorm Update – We’re Here to Help! 🌩️

To all of our friends impacted by the recent hailstorm in Springfield:

We understand this can be a stressful time, and we want you to know that State Farm is mobilizing resources to support your recovery. Our team is working diligently to return calls as quickly as possible to assist you.

What you can do now: • Check your property for any damage once it is safe to do so. • Visit statefarm.com or use the State Farm app to find answers to common questions and to file a claim quickly and easily.

You are our top priorities. We’re committed to helping you through this recovery process every step of the way.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here for you.

Stay safe,
Jeff, Becky and Ashley

📚 Happy ! Celebrate the magic of stories that transport us to new worlds! Whether it’s a cherished classic or a new favorite, what book inspired you?

Power is back on and we're here to help!

Thank you City Utilities of Springfield, MO for all your hard work!

A special thanks to the good samaritan that took the time to return part of our sign that they found!

If you experienced storm damage, please give us a call at 417-869-4640.
You can also start a claim anytime at www.statefarm.com or through the State Farm mobile app.

Remember:

Document all damage with photos and notes.
Prevent further damage if you can do so safely.
Watch out for scammers — always verify contractors.
We're here to support you every step of the way!

Our sign didn’t make it through the storm, and our office is currently without power — but we’re still here for you!
You can reach us at 417-869-4640 and we will get back to you as soon as power is restored.
In the meantime, you can also visit www.statefarm.com or use the State Farm mobile app to start a claim and find valuable resources for dealing with storm damage.

If you have storm damage, here’s what you need to do:

Document the Damage: Once it’s safe, take photos, videos, and write descriptions of damage to your home, vehicles, and personal property.

Contact State Farm:
Call us at 417-869-4640
Call 1-800-SFCLAIM (1-800-732-5246)
File a claim online at www.statefarm.com or through the mobile app.

Report Only Once: If you've already reported your claim, there’s no need to report it again. State Farm will contact you, typically within a few days.

Prevent Further Damage: Take reasonable steps to prevent more damage, like covering broken windows or roof holes.

Be Aware of Scammers: Storms often bring out scams. Always verify contractors’ licenses and reputations before hiring.

Keep Good Records: Save copies of all your documentation — photos, receipts, and any communications related to your claim.

We’re Here to Help: If you need assistance with the claim process, our office is ready to help guide you.

Stay safe and know that we’re committed to helping you recover as quickly as possible!