Florida official says state will help expedite hurricane claims

The State of Florida will assist homeowners who have issues with their insurers that are taking too long to process their Hurricane Ian-related claims, chief financial officer for Florida, Jimmy Patronis, has stated.

Patronis was in Fort Myers earlier this week to answer questions about insurance companies and the length of time they should be taking to process claims. The CFO said that he is aware that many people are still owed payments from their insurers.

“If you feel like you want x amount and your carrier wants this amount, then we will provide a mediator at no charge to iron out the difference so you can get that claim settled,” Patronis said.

NBC2 News reported that Patronis also revealed plans to call insurance companies that withdrew their business from the state back to southwest Florida to help pay out outstanding claims.

“We will be back in April with another robust insurance village with insurance providers so you can meet in person,” the CFO added.

The insurance village organized by Patronis’ office last month paid nearly $5.5 million to 11 hundred policyholders.

Patronis’ statements come as state regulators moved to place the insolvent United Property & Casualty Insurance Company into receivership. A total of six insurers were placed into receivership in 2022, with UPC the most recent insurer to join their ranks.