For Immediate Release: Thursday, April 20, 2023

Contact: Office of Communications, Communications@MyFloridaCFO.com, 850.413.2842

Insurance Villages Recovered $5.7 Million for Southwest Florida Policyholders
~ Nearly 1,000 Southwest Florida Consumers Assisted ~

SOUTHWEST, Fla. — Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the recent Insurance Villages, which took place earlier this week from April 17 - April 19, issued more than $5.7 million for policyholders in insurance claims checks. Approximately 20 insurance companies, and representatives from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), were on hand to assist nearly 1,000 southwest Florida consumers at the Insurance Villages who were impacted by Hurricane Ian. Since January, the CFO has also deployed seven Insurance Villages where over $11 million in insurance claims checks were cut by participating insurance companies at Insurance Villages in SW Florida for more than 2,000 residents impacted by Hurricane Ian. These Insurance Villages allow policyholders to meet with their property insurer in-person and work together to solve any outstanding claims.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “I am thrilled to announce that over the past three days consumers across Southwest Florida were able to meet with their insurance providers and secure more than $5.7 million in outstanding claims. Since January, we’ve issued $11 million in claims checks at seven Insurance Villages. The people in Southwest Florida are still reeling from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Ian, and I’m committed to doing everything I can to ensure these consumers are made whole. Insurance Villages give us an opportunity to provide in-person, one-on-one assistance to consumers and, most importantly, they receive direct claims checks to start or continue the recovery process. By hosting these Villages, we are able to remove the middle man, like a public adjuster, from taking a portion of the policyholders claims check. As long as there’s a need for Insurance Villages in Southwest Florida, my office will continue to host them.”

Immediately following Hurricane Ian, the Division of Consumer Services deployed two Initial Payment Centers in Fort Myers and Port Charlotte. Between those two Initial Payment Centers in Lee and Charlotte counties, 34 insurance carriers participated and assisted more than 40,000 policyholders with initial storm claims. The Division also deployed Insurance Villages in January where over $5.4 million in insurance claims checks were cut by 13 participating insurance companies at Insurance Villages in Punta Gorda, Englewood, and Fort Myers for 1,086 residents impacted by Hurricane Ian.

For more information on Hurricane Ian insurance assistance please visit www.MyFloridaCFO.com or directly file an insurance claim HERE.

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About CFO Jimmy Patronis
Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and Twitter (@FLDFS).