By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Insurance companies serving Marion County residents are assisting their customers and local COVID-19 relief efforts.

Shelter Insurance agent Doug Heery said he chose the Marion County Resource Center and Food Bank to receive a $1,000 donation from the Shelter Insurance Foundation.

Shelter is also sending payments of about 30% to policyholders for the months of April and May.

The payment will be deposited to accounts of policyholders set up for automatic payments and sent by checks for other policyholders.

American Family Insurance agent Jayson Hanschu said his company is returning $200 million nationwide to auto insurance customers.

Hanschu said American Family was the first company to announce premium reductions and he’s glad to see other auto insurance companies join in on the move.

Some companies have announced they will reduce premiums temporarily, but American Family will issue one-time checks to their customers, Hanschu said.

“We just thought to the families getting a check in the mail would have more impact,” Hanschu said.

While each customer will get a dollar amount related to their specific situation, the average is 30% of two months’ premium, he said.

American Family is also matching agents’ donations to local charities to assist in COVID-19 relief. For each dollar an agent gives, the company matches with $2. His donations, matched by the company, will result in donations of $2,000.

Hanschu said he selected an array of charities as beneficiaries, including Main St. Ministries, Hillsboro Area Ministerial Alliance, Families and Children Together, Hillsboro Community Foundation, and Marion and Hillsboro FFA chapters.

State Farm Insurance is temporarily reducing premiums by an average of 25%.

Company spokesman Angie Harrier said she could speak only in national averages, but customers will start seeing premium credits as early as June.

“This works out to about $20 per month for each vehicle insured, but again that’s a national average,” Harrier said.

The company will monitor claims and make adjustments accordingly, she said.

State Farm Companies Foundation is making matching gifts to charities supported by employees.

Becky Walsh, State Farm agent in Hillsboro and Marion, said she is supporting the food bank, 4-H, and FFA. Employees of the agency are also sewing masks for medical providers to assist.