Tropical Storm Fay never reached hurricane status, but the pesky, slow-moving system has left a growing number insurance claims in its wake.

According to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, more than 11,600 homeowners claims have been received by four of the top writers in the Sunshine State.

Leading the list of claims is State Farm, which has received 6,166 homeowners claims as well as 1,174 automobile claims as of late afternoon Aug. 26. The company also has taken 571 claims for the National Flood Insurance Program.

Fay, with sustained winds of about 60 mph, did most of its damage to homes with flooding. Some areas of Florida received more than 25 inches of rain. Much of the state experienced at least 10 inches of rain.

However, flooding is not covered by a standard homeowners policy. According to the Florida Insurance Council, many claims being reported are from flooded automobiles, which are covered under the comprehensive section of a policy. Insurers also have reported damage to homes due to tornadoes spawned by the storm.

Citizens Property Insurance Corp., the state-run insurer, reported 2,595 claims as of late Aug. 26. Citizens spokesman John Kuczwanski said 375 independent adjusters had completed an orientation process in order to assist in assessing claims.

USAA reported 1,722 homeowners claims and 230 auto claims as of the afternoon on Aug. 26. The company added it has taken 185 NFIP claims. As of early Aug. 26, Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Co. has taken 1,204 homeowners claims.

The OIR said Allstate was not publicly reporting claims numbers, per corporate directive.

According to a letter from Gov. Charlie Crist requesting federal aid, Florida is also expecting $20 million in agricultural damage.

Remnants of the storm continue to affect other states. Flood warnings remained intact on Aug. 27 for Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Rain totals also have been significant in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.

In 2007, the top five writers of homeowners multiperil in Florida, according to A.M. Best Co. state/line product information based on direct premiums written, were: State Farm Group, with a 21.3% market share; Citizens Property Insurance Corp., with 20.5%; Universal P&C Insurance Co., with 6.1%; USAA Group, with 5.2%; and Tower Hill Group, with 4.4%.

(By Chad Hemenway, associate editor, BestWeek: Chad.Hemenway@ambest.com)