CLEARWATER, Fla. — Hurricane Helene caused devastation across Florida’s Gulf Coast, and so far, its responsible for more than $900 million in property damage — a number that’s rising alongside insurance claims statewide.
For many home and small business owners, it may be the first time they’ve ever had to file an insurance claim, but mainly a flood insurance claim. To help impacted residents with the insurance claims process, it could take a village.
That’s why there’s one up and running in Clearwater this weekend.
“Ripping out floors, drywall, that’s the big challenge right now,” said Joe Anastasio, whose Clearwater home flooded for the first time during Hurricane Helene.
Anastasio is one of many who attended the first day of the Insurance Village event at Clearwater’s Long Center. Organized by the Florida Department of Financial Services, the event is an opportunity for policyholders to work to file insurance claims.
“They were pretty helpful,” Anastasio said. ”I identified some concerns, and they looked into it and they were able to just expedite things on the spot.”
Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis said the opportunity for face-to-face meetings between policyholders and their carriers is invaluable.
“You're overwhelmed, you're getting your things out to the side of the road that may be hauled off. I want your claim working immediately, and sometimes coming here in person is just a little bit of an easier way to do it,” Patronis said. “Some of the carriers are writing checks, but all depends on where you are in that claims process.”
From helping review your policy to making sure you didn’t sign away a potential payout to an unscrupulous door-knocker, Patronis said experts at the village can help guide you through it all.
“We can at least walk you through what you're entitled to and what you should be asking for. This is what we do. We help people with their claims,” Patronis added.
Although on Friday, some walked away a little disappointed.
“I thought I'd at least be able to get an advance on my insurance. And you are not going to get an advance today, [they told me] you're going to have to wait till your adjuster comes out,” Lisa Bjerk said.
Bjerk’s Pasco County home was also a victim of Helene’s storm surge, but now she’s waiting for an adjustor to come visit so she can start the recovery process.
“I already have claims in place. I already have photos of all the damage. Almost all my contents were ruined, and they are not giving checks today,” Bjerk added.
Patronis contends that carriers there are ready to write checks, but it depends on where residents are at in the process, and the help at the village could still be beneficial for so many having seen devastation.
Florida’s Insurance Consumer Advocate Tasha Carter is also on hand and said her staff is ready to help Floridians through any hurdles they may have with property, flood or auto insurance claims.
“Providing them with guidance on how to file an insurance claim with their insurance company, whether it's for flood damage or for damage from the hurricane itself. Also helping them navigate the insurance claims process, explaining to them what their rights are as a policyholder, also explaining to them timeframes that insurance companies have to act within or respond within, so that they have an understanding of their expectations,” Carter said.
The event runs Oct. 5-6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1501 N. Belcher Road Clearwater, Florida.
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 Helene
- Repair estimates
- Any additional insurance-related information that is readily accessible
If you need help with transportation, PSTA is offering free service through Sunday. It runs every 30 minutes from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will travel between the St. Pete Beach Access Point to the Clearwater Marina.
The buses will also make stops at the shelters along Gulf Boulevard. Look for trolleys that say "Insurance Village" as the destination.