CLEARWATER, Fla. — Nearly 30 insurance companies packed into the gymnasium at Clearwater’s Parks and Recreation Long Center for the state’s first post-Hurricane Helen insurance village.
This three-day event is hosted by the Florida Department of Financial Services and allows people to meet face-to-face with insurance companies. As Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis explained, Hurricane Helen storm victims can now begin filing auto, flood and home insurance claims.
“These companies know that if we make a call, they will bring the A team to the scene. There are people,” Patronis said.
Peggy McDonald’s Dunedin home flooded, but thankfully she had flood and goods insurance. But filing an insurance claim after losing everything over the past week was a daunting task.
“It’s really devastating,” she said. “I don’t know who to believe. Restoration people are knocking on my door, and they all hand me cards like, ‘What should I do?'”
She filed a claim with Wright Flood Insurance the day after the storm and visited the insurance village on Friday to check on the status of her claim. The company cut her two checks on the spot to help rebuild. Peggy cried with relief.
“This definitely helps me get started,” she said.
The Insurance Village will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 through Sunday, Oct. 6.
Policyholders should bring as many documents as possible, such as:
Driver’s license or other ID (passport/state ID) Insurance card and policy information/documents Photos or documents of property claimed as loss due to Hurricane Helen Instantly accessible additions for repair estimates insurance related information
The address is: Clearwater Parks and Recreation Long Center
1501 N. Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33765
As of Friday, the companies confirmed to participate are:
AAAAllstate/Castle KeyAmerican IntegrityAssurant/American BankersCitizensFlorida Farm BureauFrontLine/First ProtectiveGEICOHeritageHomeowners Choice/TyTapKin InsuranceMonarchNFIP (FEMA/National Flood)Progressive/ASISSecurity First Insurance CompanySlideSouthern OakState FarmTower HillUniversal P&CUS Coastal/Safe Harbor/OrangeUSAAWright National Flood
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