FORT MYERS, Fla. – Throughout the week, insurance adjusters have been settling into what they call “insurance villages” in southwest Florida, designed specifically to help victims of the Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole.
Today, these pundits wrapped up the week in Fort Myers at Florida Southwestern College.
This week alone, up to 16 carriers at the event paid out nearly $4 million in hurricane-related claims, according to the Florida Department of Consumer Services.
“The key is to get the insurance companies here so they can meet with people to make sure the companies know the expectations are to resolve claims,” said Greg Thomas, state director of services. to consumers. “They are aware of our presence here and we talk to consumers as they come in and out. We ask consumers if they have been successful and if they feel like they are not getting success, and if we see a trend, then maybe we’ll have a conversation with that particular carrier.”
Fox 4 heard about a Fort Myers resident at the event today who got full coverage for her mother after more than two months and worked with five different adjusters.
“Ten minutes of conversation, and now I have a full roof replacement for my mom,” Michelle Way said, choking. “As a daughter with a stressed mother…it’s great.”
Way’s mother compound suffered soffit and roof damage from the storm, and the homeowners association is demanding that all roofs be replaced. On the verge of tears, she said it was a relief to be able to talk to someone face-to-face and get the coverage her mother needed.
“I can sleep tonight,” Way said with relief in his eyes. “It was a 10 minute conversation and now I have a full roof replacement for my mum. As a daughter with a stressed mum, that’s great.”
Fox 4 also spoke with a woman from Punta Gorda who until last night was unaware of the event. After receiving a call from her roofer, Donna Briles showed up today with paperwork in hand, her husband by her side and her roofer ready to talk to contractors about the cost of repairs.
Briles got full coverage from her frontline insurance today – now she’s just waiting for the check.
“All this time, I got discouraged,” she said. “I told my neighbors I’ll be dancing in the street tonight, so I think I’ll have to do a dance.”
Tomorrow is the last day to take advantage of this event. Vendors will be at the FSW campus, 8099 College Parkway, AA177, Ft. Myers, FL, 33919, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Policyholders should bring as many documents as possible, including:
- A driver’s license or other form of identification (passport/state-issued ID)
- Insurance cards and insurance policy information/documents
- Photos or documentation of property claimed as loss from Hurricane Ian
- Repair estimate
- Any additional insurance-related information that is easily accessible.
REMARK: Due to space limitations, the Insurance Village will focus exclusively on insurance-related matters and staff from other agencies will not be present to assist with other post-storm benefits. For more information, visit www.FloridaDisaster.org.