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| FLDFS MOBILIZES STATE RESOURCES TO ASSIST IN HURRICANE RECOVERY Mobile consumer assistance units to assist with insurance claims Once again, Governor Bush deserves enormous credit for mobilizing the state's forces ahead of this disaster. Those of us in public office can now pool the full resources of the state to speed recovery from these storms and help our friends and neighbors get their lives back to normal. I have dispatched members of the Department of Financial Services’ two law enforcement agencies to assist in search and rescue efforts in areas devastated by Hurricane Dennis and I will be in the northwest Florida area assessing damage and directing the department’s operations. The department’s Division of Consumer Services has mobile response units moving into the area. The first unit will begin operations Tuesday at the Gateway Plaza, 6588 Caroline Street in Milton. The hours will be 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. A second location will be announced as soon as it can be confirmed. The department's law enforcement personnel also will be assisting the Office of Financial Regulation with the transport and set up of ATMs in the storm-damaged areas. The department’s two law enforcement agencies are the Division of Insurance Fraud and the Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations, a unit of the Division of State Fire Marshal. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is responsible for mobilizing search and rescue efforts from the state Emergency Operations Center during an emergency. In my capacity as the State Fire Marshal, I caution Floridians without power to be extremely careful when using candles or portable generators. The time following a storm can be just as dangerous as the storm itself. If you use candles, place them in stable, fire-safe holders, never leave them unattended, and extinguish them before going to sleep. Never operate a generator indoors. Report downed power wires immediately, and avoid flooded areas where standing water could be charged by an unseen power line, and keep children indoors until debris is cleared away. The Division of Consumer Services’ mobile service center will be ready to assist those with property damage claims. The mobile unit has satellite and cellular phones, computers and other information resources to allow staff to provide immediate assistance. The unit will also help insurance agents and adjusters locate policyholders. Floridians needing assistance with hurricane recovery can get help by calling 1-800-22-STORM or by going to www.MyFloridaCFO.com. Mediation centers set up in the wake of last year’s hurricanes are still open and can help Floridians having trouble settling claims with their insurance companies.
Walton County was created in 1824, shortly after Florida became a territory of the United States. The courthouse is in the county seat of DeFuniak Springs. |
| AFTER THE STORM If forced to evacuate your home, let your agent or insurance company know your temporary forwarding address and phone number. Immediately report property damage to your insurance agent and company. Your company will issue a special reference number for your claim — make sure you write it down. You will need to keep this number handy in all your dealings with the company. Your agent or company should arrange for a licensed insurance adjuster to visit your property and assess the damage. Make emergency repairs to protect from further damage, document the damage and repairs in writing, and with receipts and photos. Keep receipts for those repairs so that your insurance company can reimburse you. Beware of signing contracts with public adjusters. Public adjusters do not work for insurance companies or independent adjusting firms. Public adjusters contract with the policyholders to settle claims and are paid a percentage of any claim settlement. If considering the assistance of a public adjuster, verify that the adjuster is licensed by calling the department’s toll-free consumer helpline at 1-800-22-STORM, or 1-800-227-8676. CONTINUED |
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From left to right: Jana Sterling, VFF; Roxann Campbell, VFF; Mark Merry, FLDFS; Roosevelt Alexander, VFF; Liza McFadden, VFF, Steve Uhlfelder, FHRF; and Lisa Miller, FLDFS. | VOLUNTEER FLORIDA FOUNDATION RECOGNIZES EXCELLENCE The Volunteer Florida Foundation recognized Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher and Department of Financial Services’ Financial Administrator Mark Merry for instrumental work in helping establish the financial policies and procedures for the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund. The Florida Hurricane Relief Fund was established by Governor Jeb Bush to help Florida’s hurricane survivors with needs not covered by government or insurance assistance. Gov. Bush named nonprofit Volunteer Florida to manage it.
CFO Gallagher praised Mark Merry for helping establish the Fund’s allocation formulas, financial structure, financial policies and auditing procedures. Mark was recognized for his work with a Governor’s Award for outstanding service. Giving the award was the Fund’s Voluntary CEO Steve Uhlfelder, a Tallahassee-based attorney, and Foundation President Liza McFadden. CONTINUED |
| LOXAHATCHEE WOMAN ARRESTED FOR FAKING DEATH TO COLLECT ON LIFE INSURANCE POLICY Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher announced the arrest of a Loxahatchee woman who faked her death in Jamaica to collect on a $260,000 life insurance policy. Golden Marie Vasquez, also known as Golden Marie Cox and Golden Marie Ramdeen, was arrested Friday by investigators from the Department of Financial Services’ Division of Insurance Fraud. Vasquez bought a $60,000 life insurance policy in 1996 and then bought an additional policy with $200,000 in benefits in 2000. Both policies were with Prudential Insurance Company. In June of 2003 a death claim was filed with Prudential Insurance alleging that Golden Marie Ramdeen was killed in a motor vehicle accident in Jamaica, on the date of March 26, 2003. Prudential received a Jamaican death certificate, a bogus police report from the Jamaican constabulary and a death benefits claim form. The beneficiary of this policy was her ex-husband Jerry Ramdeen. |
