Insurance Villages issue over $5 million for Southwest Florida residents after Ian

By Michelle Vecerina

Published Jun. 30, 2023, 1:42 p.m. ET | Updated Jun. 30, 2023

Damage to homes from fallen trees and wind debris in Florida following Hurricane Ian, Sep. 30, 2022. (State Farm)

SOUTHWEST, Fla. (FLV) – Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis announced recent Insurance Villages that took place earlier this week in Fort Myers and Punta Gorda issued more than $5.6 million for policyholders in insurance claims checks.

The Insurance Villages took place from June 27-June 29 as more than 1,000 Southwest Florida residents who were impacted by Hurricane Ian received assistance, according to a press release.

Approximately 20 insurance companies and representatives from the National Flood Insurance Program were on hand to help the residents.

“When Hurricane Ian struck Southwest Florida with devastating storm surge and historic flooding, we knew the road to recovery would not be easy. To help in the recovery process, we hosted three more insurance villages where policyholders were able to meet with their insurance providers face-to-face and secure more than $5.6 million in outstanding claims,” Patronis said.

Since January, Patronis has also deployed ten Insurance Villages where over $16.6 million in insurance claims checks were cut by insurance companies for more than 13,000 residents impacted by Hurricane Ian, according to Patronis’ office.

These insurance villages allow policyholders to meet with their property insurer in-person and work together to help solve any outstanding claims.

“Since January, we’ve helped issue $16.6 million in claims checks at ten Hurricane Ian insurance villages. The people in Southwest Florida are still reeling from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Ian, and I’m committed to doing everything I can to ensure they’re made whole,” Patronis said.

Patronis also provided an update on the My Safe Florida Homegrant program which was recently expanded by the Florida Legislature. Patronis supported measures to expand eligibility requirements so more Floridians can protect their homes against storms and reduce insurance premiums.

Additionally, Patronis said the legislature increased grant funding by another $100 million, for a total of $215 million in funding. Combined with the Home Hardening Sales Tax Savings, it comes to more than $700 million in consumer relief, according to Patronis’ office.

My Safe Florida Home program changes effective July 1, 2023 include:

Homes outside the wind-borne debris region are now eligible.
Insured value of eligible homes for the home hardening grant was increased from $500,000 to $700,000.
Townhomes are now eligible for opening protection (doors and windows) grants.
Available grants for low-income homeowners increased from $5,000 to $10,000.

To date, the program has completed more than 39,790 free home inspections and obligated more than $114 million in home hardening grant funds to Floridians.

“The program was a huge success last year, and I am thankful to the Governor for expanding the program’s eligibility requirements to provide even more access to Floridians to harden their homes as the next hurricane season approaches. I encourage Floridians to take advantage of the savings and protect their biggest investment from storms – their homes,” Patronis said regarding the My Safe Home Florida Program.