“I Can Sleep Tonight”: Ian Survivors Find Solutions at Insurance Villages

FORT MYERS, Florida. Throughout the week, insurance experts opened stores in so-called “insurance villages” in southwest Florida, created specifically to help the victims of hurricanes Ian and Nicole.

Today, these experts completed a week in Fort Myers at Florida Southwestern College.

Up to 16 carriers participating in the event paid out nearly $4 million in hurricane-related claims this week alone, according to the Florida Department of Consumer Services.

“The key is to get the insurance companies here so they can meet with people and make sure the companies know they’re expected to resolve claims,” ​​said Greg Thomas, state director of consumer services. “They are aware of our presence here and we talk to consumers as they come in and out. We ask consumers if they have been successful and if they feel they are not succeeding and if we see a trend, then maybe we will talk to that particular carrier.”

Fox 4 heard from a Fort Myers resident attending the event today who received full coverage for her mother after more than two months of working with five different adjusters.

“Ten minutes of talking and now I have a complete roof replacement for my mom,” Michelle Way said breathlessly. “Like a daughter with a stressed mother… that’s great.”

At Way’s mother’s complex, the soffit and roof were damaged by the hurricane, and the Homeowners Association is demanding all roofs be replaced. Almost in tears when she said it was a relief for her to be able to talk to someone face to face and really get the coverage her mom needs.

“I can sleep tonight,” Way said with relief in her eyes. “It was a 10 minute conversation and now I have a complete roof replacement for my mom. As a daughter with a stressed mother, it’s great.”

Fox 4 also spoke to a Punta Gorda woman who was unaware of the event until last night. After receiving a call from her roofer, Donna Briles showed up today with paperwork in hand, her husband by her side, and her roofer ready to discuss repair costs with suppliers.

Briles got full insurance today on her advanced insurance – now she’s just waiting for the check.

“All this time I was discouraged,” she said. “I told my neighbors that I would be dancing in the street tonight, so I think I will have to dance.”

Tomorrow is the last day to take advantage of this event. Suppliers will be located on campus at FSW, 8099 College Parkway, AA177, Ft. Myers, FL 33919, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Insureds must provide as many documents as possible, including:

• Driver’s license or other form of identification (passport/government issued ID)
• Insurance cards and insurance policies information/documentation
• Photographs or documentation of property claimed as loss as a result of Hurricane Yang.
• Repair estimate
• Any readily available additional information related to insurance.

NOTES: Due to a lack of space, the insurance village will be solely focused on insurance-related matters and staff from other agencies will not be present to help with other post-storm benefits. For more information, visit www.FloridaDisaster.org.