Volume 2 Number 36 September 5, 2005

A SPECIAL EDITION OF CONSUMER EVIEWS DAMAGE IN MISSISSIPPI

Hurricane Katrina, and the catastrophic damage she inflicted, will be talked about for years to come. The images on television are overwhelming and painful to watch, and it's heart-wrenching to see these victims continue to struggle. While not on the same scale, many in Florida have also suffered major damage and need assistance.  We understand our neighbors' suffering all too well, we want to return the favor to neighboring states who helped us so generously after the storms of 2004. The day after Katrina made landfall, I deployed 24 law enforcement officials from the State Fire Marshal's Office and 17 from the Division of Insurance Fraud to help with law enforcement and search and rescue efforts. Many of the law enforcement agencies in the affected states have lost their buildings and equipment -- and possibly even personnel.  In addition to working with them during the early recovery, we are helping to gather vehicles, equipment and clothes to help them get back to work in their communities. We have offered to lend assistance to Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama to help their residents get temporary living expense payments from their insurance companies. We are also sharing what we learned in Florida to help our fellow states navigate their financial recovery from the storm. Where we all can help at this stage is through donations to legitimate charities who dedicate their services to disaster recovery efforts such as the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Let's reach out and help those who were there for us in our time of need. The new courthouse in Indian River County, is named for the scenic body of water running between the barrier islands and the mainland along Florida's Treasure Coast. America's first National Wildlife Refuge was established on Pelican Island in the Indian River by Theodore Roosevelt in 1903.

GALLAGHER MOVES TO PREVENT PUBLIC ADJUSTERS FROM PRICE GOUGING HURRICANE KATRINA VICTIMS  Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher today issued an emergency rule to prevent the victims of Hurricane Katrina from becoming the victims of price gouging by public insurance adjusters.  In addition to limiting fees, the rule contains other consumer protections for victims who may consider contracting with public adjusters.  Gallagher found the need to impose the rules after Hurricane Charley hit in August 2004 and there were reports of adjusters demanding fees of up to 25 percent.  “Floridians upset after seeing their property damaged by Hurricane Katrina can be particularly vulnerable to signing contracts that are unfair and possibly unnecessary,” said Gallagher.  “They need to strongly consider whether they need the assistance of a public adjuster, as any fees will inevitably come out of their claim settlement.”  CONTINUED

Buddy poses, ready to go to work.

VERY 'NOSY' DETECTIVES The olfactory senses of a dog are even more sensitive than laboratory equipment, and for that reason K-9 detective teams have become a critical part of fire and arson investigations at the State Fire Marshal’s Office.  Recently the six K-9 teams went through exercises at the State Arson Laboratory in Quincy to give the laboratory technicians an opportunity to see first-hand how the dogs, all Labrador Retrievers, sniff out evidence. Often when a substance such as gasoline is used, the residual amount after a fire is so small that only scientific equipment in a laboratory can detect it – and only dogs can find it.  State Farm Insurance Company has helped fund the state’s Arson Dog Program since 1993.       John Burch and Carl Lugviel prepare for a sniff test at the arson lab with cans of accelerant samples.  Some canisters contained an accelerant and some did not.   The dogs did an outstanding job of finding the accelerant, even when they were switched during the exercise. CONTINUED

American Red Cross: Call 1-800-HELP-NOW or visit www.redcross.org.   The Salvation Army: Call 1-800-Sal-Army or visit www.salvationarmyusa.org.    Catholic Charities USA: Call 1-800-919-9338 or visit www.catholiccharitiesusa.org.

GALLAGHER WARNS FLORIDIANS TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR CHARITY CON ARTISTS Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher is urging Floridians who are interested in donating to a charity to help victims of Hurricane Katrina to make sure they give their money to a reputable organization and not a con artist. “Hurricane Katrina has had an extraordinary impact on many here in Florida as well as millions of our neighbors in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana,” said Gallagher, who also serves as State Fire Marshal and has assisted in the coordination of several Florida search and rescue teams to those impacted areas.  “Please contribute whatever you can to help, but take time to check out who you send money to so your donations truly get to the victims and their families.” In Florida, most charities are required to register with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and to provide financial information, such as how much is raised, how much is spent on administrative costs, fundraising and on the program services. Charities that solicit in Florida are included in this requirement even if they are located out of state. CONTINUED The Florida Department of Financial Services is collecting needed items for families and friends of fellow employees who have been victims of Hurricane Katrina.

GALLAGHER ANNOUNCES CONSUMER SERVICE LOCATIONS FOR HURRICANE KATRINA VICTIMS Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher announced four locations where consumer service professionals are assisting victims of Hurricane Katrina.  In his capacity as State Fire Marshal, Gallagher also directed the Department of Financial Service’s efforts to cooperate in state efforts to aid the devastated areas in neighboring Gulf Coast states. “We certainly send our thoughts and prayers to our neighbors in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana who have seen incalculable devastation from Hurricane Katrina, and we will be looking to assist them in every way we can,” said Gallagher. “The death, damage and destruction in Mississippi and Louisiana are beyond comprehension.  My director of the Division of the State Fire Marshal has been deployed to Mississippi to help oversee search and rescue efforts.”   CONTINUED