TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – As waves of heavy rain stemming from Tropical Storm Emily cross the central corridor of Florida, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis reminds Floridians to remain prepared for severe weather. Flash flooding is likely, and Floridians are encouraged to keep copies of their homeowners’ and auto insurance policies handy, and to take note of the state of Florida’s insurance consumer helpline in case of insurance-related questions. The toll-free helpline can be reached by calling 1-877-693-5236.

“Heavy rain can quickly cause dangerous flooding situations, and I urge everyone in the area to keep their eyes and ears on the news for updated information about Tropical Storm Emily,” said CFO Patronis. “We’ll continue to monitor the storm’s activity, and we stand ready to support residents with any insurance needs that may arise.”

 

By calling the helpline, Floridians gain one-on-one access to insurance experts who can help consumers better understand their specific insurance policies and answer specific claim-related questions. Even if a consumer does not have a flood insurance policy, helpline experts can aid in the review of other insurance coverage to determine if any damaged items might be covered.

 

The helpline is available Monday–Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm EST. Additional insurance-related information can be found on the Department’s website at http://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/Consumers/Storm/default.htm