Former deputy insurance commissioner Lisa Miller wants anyone dealing with storm damage from Hurricane Ian to call their insurance agent rather than “answer the door” for an unknown repair crew targeting your insurance money.
“There are reports of unscrupulous people who are having folks sign documents, locking them into contracts,” Miller said. “Don’t answer the door.”
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Miller, who served as deputy insurance commissioner between 2003 and 2005, said the gross estimate for property claims in the state of Florida is somewhere between 800,000 and one million claims.
She said it is easy to say yes to a repairman who promises to get your home back to normal right now.
“The adjustor visit is the most important visit other than going to church,” Miller told News 6. “You have 2 years (to file a claim). You don’t need to be in line right now.”
Miller said families with major structural damage and flooding should be the first to receive financial help.
Verisk, a top analytics company in New Jersey, projects insured losses to onshore property from Hurricane Ian will range from $42 billion to $57 billion.
The industry loss estimated from Verisk Extreme Event Solutions factors in wind, storm surge and inland flood losses resulting from Ian’s landfalls in both Florida and South Carolina.
News 6 has confirmed Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis set up stations with insurance companies ready to help families with a financial lifeline.
Patronis’ communications director Devin Galetta told News 6 that quick payment centers have already been set up in Lee and Charlotte counties.
“The centers will cut checks to policyholders on the spot to get them on their feet,” Galetta said. “Twenty-eight insurance companies are represented.”
Galetta said the Patronis team is assessing the situation in Central Florida to determine if the payment centers will be set up within any counties here.
If you have additional insurance questions, please call 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236).
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