More Than $40M Recovered for Insurance Consumers in 2018

More than $40.5 million was recovered for Florida insurance consumers in 2018, including $17.4 million recovered for Hurricane Michael victims, by the state’s Insurance Consumer Helpline, according to a statement from Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis.

Patronis said the Florida Department of Financial Services Insurance Consumer Helpline (1-877-MY-FL-CFO) received more than 297,500 calls for assistance and opened more than 22,500 complaints on behalf of consumers last year.

Since Hurricane Michael made landfall last fall, the CFO’s helpline has received more than 2,400 storm-related calls and opened 653 consumer complaints on behalf of victims.

“Most Floridians don’t realize my office has consumer advocates to help with your insurance or financial questions and complaints,” Patronis said. “Before you get trapped in a binding Assignment of Benefits [AOB] battle, call my office and my team will be in your corner for free,” Patronis said.

The statewide toll-free helpline is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.