The legislatively-created Task Force on Citizens Property Insurance Claims Handling and Resolution met on June 19, 2007, in Ft. Lauderdale with a responsive audience and an effective discussion of the issues.

Consumers who have homeowner policies with Citizens or who have open claims from the 2004/2005 hurricane seasons attended the public hearings and provided public testimony. The task force heard comments from 26 citizens on a variety of specific issues.

Citizens representatives were available to facilitate claims and answer concerns of policyholders. Those with open claims with Citizens are encouraged to contact Citizens for resolution of the issues.

Two areas of immediate concern to the task force are out-of-state-adjusters and the appointment of insurance agents. Citizens is requested to have a detailed action plan for training out-of-state adjusters and to have a first response team in position as hurricane season is here.

The Department of Financial Services consumer specialists were on site to help with questions regarding Citizens claims and policies.

Created by House Bill 1A during the 2007 special session of the Florida Legislature, the task force comprises Chairman and Florida’s Insurance Consumer Advocate Bob Milligan; Vice Chairman and Senator Mike Fasano; Representative Julio Robaina; Michael B. Twomey Sr., Attorney; Mike Lancashire, VP, The Main Street America Group; Heather Carruthers, Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe County; and Tim Loftin, VP of Claims at Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.

The task force, directed to develop recommendations for Citizens to complete claims remaining from the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, will issue a report evaluating Citizens’ procedures on claims handling, claims resolution and customer service to the Governor, Chief Financial Officer, President of the Senate and Speaker of the House by July 1, 2007.

A Web site dedicated to the task force and its duties is available at http://www.taskforceoncitizensclaimshandling.org.