INSURANCE MEDIATION TALKS IN FLORIDA:

Florida hurricane victims, unhappy with their insurance settlement offers, are meeting with state-certified officials and insurance company representatives to work toward an agreement and argue for more money. The Department of Financial Services (DFS) has begun a crucial mediation program. While residents are waiting for settlements, state financial officials are working to prevent companies from dropping coverage on victims’ homes until repairs are completed. Florida Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher is attempting to extend the moratorium on insurance cancellations for hurricane victims whose homes are still in disrepair. By law, insurance companies have 21 days to try to reach a resolution with residents who are unsatisfied with their insurance settlement offers. Residents who don’t think their insurance companies have dealt with their claims adequately must first file a dispute with the insurance company and it has 21 days to resolve the dispute (See related story on page 103).