[Liability Insurance] FW: Press Release_ Call Citizens First following Hurricane Matthew

Mon Oct 10 08:23:26 PDT 2016

Please see below and attached – thanks to Jay Mussman

Scott P. Pence | Carlton Fields
Board Certified in Construction Law by The Florida Bar
Direct: 813.229.4322 | Fax: 813.229.4133
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From: Mussman, Jay D. [mailto:jmussman at daypitney.com]
Sent: Sunday, October 09, 2016 2:53 PM
To: Pence, Scott
Subject: FW: Press Release_ Call Citizens First following Hurricane Matthew

Please share.

Jay D. Mussman | Attorney at Law | Attorney Bio<http://www.daypitney.com/professionals/M/Mussman-Jay-D>

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From: Newsroom [mailto:Newsroom at citizensfla.com]
Sent: Sunday, October 09, 2016 2:37 PM
To: Newsroom
Subject: Press Release_ Call Citizens First following Hurricane Matthew

[cid:image002.jpg at 01D2223A.8603CFD0]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE October 9, 2016

Contact: Michael Peltier
(850) 513-3774
(850) 264-7702 (cell)

Call Citizens First following Hurricane Matthew

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Citizens Property Insurance Corporation is urging its policyholders to protect themselves from assignment of benefit scams and abuse by calling Citizens first to report losses following Hurricane Matthew.

Citizens representatives are available 24/7 throughout the weekend to handle claims calls at 1.866.411.2742. More information can be found on Citizens website https://www.citizensfla.com/claims

“Citizens is ready to assist our policyholders as they begin their recovery from Hurricane Matthew and get their lives back in order,” said Barry Gilway, Citizens President, CEO and Executive Director. “Our claims representatives are ready to help. All you have to do is call.”

Unfortunately, unscrupulous contractors and repair companies thrive in the frenzied days following any storm. Policyholders must be wary of unlicensed contractors or deals that sound too good to be true.

To protect themselves, policyholders who have experienced a loss from the storm should call Citizens first to ensure they stay in control of their claim.  Further, Citizens advises policyholders not to sign anything, including an assignment of benefit, before consulting with Citizens or their insurance agent.

Here’s why. You may be signing away your rights and be left with unfinished repairs or forced to pay a contractor for repairs not covered by your policy. The policy may also place a limit on emergency repairs until Citizens is notified to inspect damage before permanent repairs are made.

Policyholders are most likely to be offered an assignment of benefit (AOB) while making emergency repairs or when companies come to the door soliciting business.  Policyholders may be told repairs cannot be completed until they have signed an AOB contract, which allows the company to submit the claim and deal directly with Citizens.

More information on the potential pitfalls of assignments of benefits<https://www.citizensfla.com/documents/20702/460724/Assignment+of+Benefits.pdf/2e157905-8ccb-4396-996a-3e111b2c5f5c>  is available on Citizens website. More information also can be found on Citizens website https://www.citizensfla.com/storms

To report suspected insurance fraud, Citizens policyholders can call Citizens Special Investigations Unit toll free at 1.855.748.9596. or submit a report online. Customers can also contact the Department of Financial Services, Division of Consumer Services Insurance Consumer Helpline immediately at 1-877-693-5236. Your concerns will be promptly referred to insurance fraud investigators.

###

In 2002, the Florida Legislature created Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (Citizens), a not-for-profit alternative insurer, whose public purpose is to provide insurance to, and serve the needs of, property owners who cannot find coverage in the private insurance market.

[Citizens on Facebook]Find us on Facebook<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.facebook.com_pages_Citizens-2DProperty-2DInsurance-2DCorporation_313353039304&d=DQMFAg&c=-Q2oFtSeUeVdqcGrCCygxt6LResmVl0POOzRQwCZt0Q&r=JzxZ6kWoCgxBJ2xiMZfIcsJ1K0Ty8_j74y8X4EL7hZo&m=RcPUKehoDdAbpEb4UdAldHGIlQbnxMOHIMuZa5l1ZbM&s=OyFuX0boPL2d5SqeJxU3iwJsQ7f4DYxNulAyvCHxtyc&e=>  [Citizens on Twitter] Follow us @citizens_fla<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__twitter.com_citizens-5Ffla&d=DQMFAg&c=-Q2oFtSeUeVdqcGrCCygxt6LResmVl0POOzRQwCZt0Q&r=JzxZ6kWoCgxBJ2xiMZfIcsJ1K0Ty8_j74y8X4EL7hZo&m=RcPUKehoDdAbpEb4UdAldHGIlQbnxMOHIMuZa5l1ZbM&s=bC_gzXNBzf0C9i-IkbVp8pnPCSrSTvQ75IYeDAdkWQQ&e=>

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