An emergency insurance village has been set up in Panama City from today to help those recovering from Hurricane Michael with filing insurance claims.
In a statement, Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshall Jimmy Patronis said the insurance village will run from Oct. 16 - 19 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is located in the Sam’s Club parking lot at 1707 W 23rd St in Panama City, Florida 32405.
The village is intended to assist residents with insurance claims. More than 20 insurance companies are taking part in the initiative, including FEMA, FedNat Insurance, Monarch National Insurance, Security First Insurance, and Tower Hill.
On Oct. 10, Hurricane Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida as a Category 4 hurricane. It was the third-most intense Atlantic hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. in terms of pressure, and the fourth-strongest landfalling hurricane in the contiguous U.S., in terms of wind speed.
Insurance losses due to Michael in the U.S. are estimated to be at least $8 billion.
“This Panhandle community has lost everything. Many of our towns are wiped off the map. With thousands still without electricity and communications systems mostly non-existent, people can come to this insurance village to get the answers they need to begin the rebuilding process,” said Patronis.
Residents are urged to bring as much documentation as they can to the village. This includes:
- A driver’s license or passport as a form of identification
- Insurance cards and other policy documentation
- Pictures or documentation of the property being claimed as a loss resulting from Hurricane Michael.
- Any additional insurance-related information that is readily accessible.
For more information about the village or help with filing claims, call the Insurance Consumer Helpline at 1-877-693-5236 or visit www.myfloridacfo.com/division/Consumers/HurricaneMichael.htm
