Public records obtained by WESH 2 Investigates show thousands of complaints against insurance companies, but an insurance watchdog group says the state needs to work harder to hold the companies that collect your premiums accountable. Jimmy Patronis is Florida’s chief financial officer. We met him at a Hurricane Ian “insurance village” in Fort Myers.One of three has helped policyholders obtain roughly $25 million in claim checks since Ian battered south and central Florida. “Because we can settle that claim, make all parties happy, and you can go start rebuilding your life,” Patronis said. Patronis’ office, the Department of Financial Services (DFS), investigates complaints of alleged fraud by insurance carriers, agents, and adjusters. He confirms he’s investigating claims by independent field adjusters that some companies are manipulating field adjuster damage estimates to underpay policyholders. “The carriers don’t like being investigated, but that’s exactly what’s taking place right now,” Patronis said. But Patronis is also suspicious of “public adjusters,” who are hired and paid by homeowners to conduct private damage inspections for claims. “You have public adjusters who canvass the neighborhoods (right after a storm) that sign up as many people as they can who get 10% of the claim and just leave their customers twisting in the winds,” Patronis said. “Yeah, I think they’re locusts,” Patronis said. But WESH 2 Investigates obtained DFS records that show between September 2017 and November 2022, there were just 99 complaints against public adjusters, while insurance carrier complaints numbered more than 105,000. “We certainly hope that people on the insurer side who are committing fraud against consumers are held legally accountable,” said Doug Quinn of the American Policyholder Association. Quinn founded the insurance watchdog group, the American Policyholder Association, which helps in reporting alleged fraud. He’s concerned that the state is soft on insurance company penalties because a big chunk of Patronis’ campaign cash comes from insurance companies and their executives. Our WESH 2 Investigates review of Patronis’ “Treasure Florida” political committee reveals more than $1.8 million in contributions from roughly 150 insurance industry donors. “How do you regulate an industry that is supporting your campaign with that amount of money?” WESH 2 asked.”Well, I take a lot of pride that I was elected by over 20% of the vote over my opponent,” Patronis said. “I take a lot of pride in the way I take care of the people of the state of Florida when it comes to the insurance claims process.” In reviewing Patronis’ press releases, just “in 2022, there were 51 property insurance fraud arrests statewide.” But those charged were “fake contractors,” “insurance agents,” or “unlicensed adjusters.” “It is the combination of taking the contributions with what appears to be a bias or appears to be a lack of effective advocacy on the part of Florida citizens who have elected these people,” Quinn said. Patronis promises no bias and no easy treatment of any company in the latest investigations in the wake of Hurricane Ian. For the record, prior chief financial officers have received plenty of campaign contributions from the insurance industry. WESH 2 Investigates is requesting public records on prior investigations. We’ll bring that to you when we get it.You can watch our prior report on hurricane insurance fraud here. If you believe you from hurricanes Ian or Nicole were underpaid, immediately file a complaint with the Florida Department of Financial Services and the Office of Insurance Regulation. Financial Services can pursue criminal action, and Insurance Regulation can fine companies and suspend or revoke licenses.Top headlines: Archeologists investigate shipwreck uncovered in Volusia County SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket set to launch after lightning strike Marion County man sentenced to death in murder of family
Public records obtained by WESH 2 Investigates show thousands of complaints against insurance companies, but an insurance watchdog group says the state needs to work harder to hold the companies that collect your premiums accountable.
Jimmy Patronis is Florida’s chief financial officer. We met him at a Hurricane Ian “insurance village” in Fort Myers.
One of three has helped policyholders obtain roughly $25 million in claim checks since Ian battered south and central Florida.
“Because we can settle that claim, make all parties happy, and you can go start rebuilding your life,” Patronis said.
Patronis’ office, the Department of Financial Services (DFS), investigates complaints of alleged fraud by insurance carriers, agents, and adjusters.
He confirms he’s investigating claims by independent field adjusters that some companies are manipulating field adjuster damage estimates to underpay policyholders.
“The carriers don’t like being investigated, but that’s exactly what’s taking place right now,” Patronis said.
But Patronis is also suspicious of “public adjusters,” who are hired and paid by homeowners to conduct private damage inspections for claims.
“You have public adjusters who canvass the neighborhoods (right after a storm) that sign up as many people as they can who get 10% of the claim and just leave their customers twisting in the winds,” Patronis said.
“Yeah, I think they’re locusts,” Patronis said.
But WESH 2 Investigates obtained DFS records that show between September 2017 and November 2022, there were just 99 complaints against public adjusters, while insurance carrier complaints numbered more than 105,000.
“We certainly hope that people on the insurer side who are committing fraud against consumers are held legally accountable,” said Doug Quinn of the American Policyholder Association.
Quinn founded the insurance watchdog group, the American Policyholder Association, which helps in reporting alleged fraud.
He’s concerned that the state is soft on insurance company penalties because a big chunk of Patronis’ campaign cash comes from insurance companies and their executives.
Our WESH 2 Investigates review of Patronis’ “Treasure Florida” political committee reveals more than $1.8 million in contributions from roughly 150 insurance industry donors.
“How do you regulate an industry that is supporting your campaign with that amount of money?” WESH 2 asked.
“Well, I take a lot of pride that I was elected by over 20% of the vote over my opponent,” Patronis said. “I take a lot of pride in the way I take care of the people of the state of Florida when it comes to the insurance claims process.”
In reviewing Patronis’ press releases, just “in 2022, there were 51 property insurance fraud arrests statewide.” But those charged were “fake contractors,” “insurance agents,” or “unlicensed adjusters.”
“It is the combination of taking the contributions with what appears to be a bias or appears to be a lack of effective advocacy on the part of Florida citizens who have elected these people,” Quinn said.
Patronis promises no bias and no easy treatment of any company in the latest investigations in the wake of Hurricane Ian.
For the record, prior chief financial officers have received plenty of campaign contributions from the insurance industry.
WESH 2 Investigates is requesting public records on prior investigations. We’ll bring that to you when we get it.
You can watch our prior report on hurricane insurance fraud here.
If you believe you from hurricanes Ian or Nicole were underpaid, immediately file a complaint with the Florida Department of Financial Services and the Office of Insurance Regulation.
Financial Services can pursue criminal action, and Insurance Regulation can fine companies and suspend or revoke licenses.
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Alice J. Roden started working for Trending Insurance News at the end of 2021. Alice grew up in Salt Lake City, UT. A writer with a vast insurance industry background Alice has help with several of the biggest insurance companies. Before joining Trending Insurance News, Alice briefly worked as a freelance journalist for several radio stations. She covers home, renters and other property insurance stories.