**Media Advisory**
Initial Payment Centers Open in Fort Myers and Port Charlotte

~Allows Policyholders to Meet Directly with Insurers for Initial Payments~

SOUTHWEST, Fla. – Following the impacts of Hurricane Ian, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) has deployed two Initial Payment Centers in Fort Myers and Port Charlotte, where insurance carriers will be on hand to assist residents with the insurance claims process. The Port Charlotte Initial Payment Center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the Fort Myers Initial Payment Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Fort Myers Initial Payment Center is part of Governor DeSantis’ Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), which is a one-stop-shop and collocated with more than 10 agencies to provide services to individuals and businesses impacted by Hurricane Ian.

The purpose of the Initial Payment Center is for policyholders to meet directly with their insurance companies to file claims, and for the insurance companies to issue checks to Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, insurance carriers will focus on the immediate needs of policy holders by providing resources for specific items including living expenses.

Policyholders should bring as much documentation as they can, including:

• A driver’s license or other form of identification (Passport/State issued ID)
• Insurance cards and insurance policy information/documentation
• Pictures or documentation of the property being claimed as a loss resulting from Hurricane Ian
• Any additional insurance-related information that is readily accessible.
  

Initial Payment Center Locations & Times:

Port Charlotte

Port Charlotte Town Center (Parking Lot)

1441 Tamiami Trail

Port Charlotte, FL 33948

Daily Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. EST Daily

Fort Myers

Disaster Recovery Center

Lakes Regional Library

15290 Bass Road

Fort Myers, FL 33919

Daily Hours of Operation: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. EST Daily

 For assistance when filing post-storm claims, please call the Insurance Consumer Helpline at 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (693-5236) or by email at Consumer.Services@MyFloridaCFO.com. For more information on Hurricane Ian insurance assistance please visit www.MyFloridaCFO.com. 

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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 X (@FLDFS).