It was a humbling experience meeting with Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis today at the 'Insurance Village' in Clearwater, established for Bay Area residents impacted by Hurricane Helene. As Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, Patronis was on-site offering much-needed reassurance to homeowners who lost everything, providing guidance, and outlining steps for relief. During our conversation, we addressed key issues policyholders were facing. I shared some of the common concerns I’ve been hearing, highlighting how a licensed public adjuster can make a real difference in navigating the claims process. My firm had the honor of helping many of his constituents after Hurricane Michael in 2018, so it was great to reconnect in this setting.

I was also fortunate to cross paths with my friend, Jean Jeune, CPCU, AIC, AINS, FCCM, Chief of the Insurance Assistance Division of Consumer Services. Jean and I recently collaborated on the October 6, 2023, United Policyholders webinar titled, "Resolve Hurricane Claim Disputes - Consumer Rights and Options." Joining forces with experts like Amy Bach, Executive Director, and attorneys Jason Manten and Matt Weaver, we aimed to empower policyholders with the knowledge they need to navigate claims. Jean, ever the consummate professional, thanked me afterward, saying, “I appreciate your professionalism and desire to serve our policyholders. You’re in it for the right reasons!”

What I witnessed today at the insurance village was a group of professionals genuinely working to help people. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, it’s uplifting to see such dedicated efforts. I sincerely appreciate the hard work of everyone involved and look forward to any future opportunities where agencies and professionals can come together to better serve our communities and guide policyholders through the claims process.

For those in need, the Insurance Village is located at the Long Center, 1501 N. Belcher Rd. in Clearwater, and will be offering help from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday through Sunday.

Heading out to the FAPIA (Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters) that starts Monday and looking forward to sharing information about Hurricane Helene recovery with fellow licensed public adjusters from all over the state and participating in educational seminars.