How an 'insurance village' is helping victims of Helen

The aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Florida’s west coast is now turning to repairs and insurance coverage prices.

WPTV reporter Matt Sczesny traveled throughout the state to Clearwater on Friday the place the state’s three-day “insurance coverage village” is being held.

Inside a health club in Clearwater have been tables with representatives from greater than 30 companies representing flood, vehicle and householders insurance coverage. They have been all there to talk to policyholders who have been affected by final week’s storm.

“The water was simply arising my stained glass door, so I grabbed my bulldogs and made it out of the home,” storm sufferer Mario Estrada stated.

He escaped his home however he cannot return to his Pinellas County residence, so Estrada was on the occasion to speak along with his flood insurance coverage firm.

“I am simply ready on the adjusters now,” Estrada stated. “I already filed a declare the day after [the storm.] … I am simply overwhelmed.”

Overwhelmed is what number of storm victims who got here to the occasion have been feeling Friday.

Arrange by the state, the “insurance coverage village” was a part of a plan to deliver lots of the acquainted names within the insurance coverage business collectively to kind out the small print.

“After the final storm with [Hurricane] Ian, I keep in mind speaking with a number of the carriers and, they stated, ‘Jimmy, folks like speaking to prospects nose to nose. They don’t seem to be as hostile,” Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis stated.

And the encounters on Friday appeared to go effectively — particularly for individuals who have flood insurance coverage.

Wayne Sageman obtained a examine after displaying the proof of the flood harm to his residence.

“I’ve obtained tons of images,” Sageman stated. “An image is value a thousand phrases.”

It is one thing that state leaders stated they’re ensuring occurs.

“We’re ensuring at any time when we will if a client has a declare that’s legitimate that’s made shortly and effectively,” Florida Insurance coverage Commissioner Michael Yaworsky stated.

Matt Sczesny is decided daily that can assist you discover options in Florida’s protection collapse. You probably have a query or touch upon householders insurance coverage, you’ll be able to attain out to him any time.