Summary

Florida law provides informal alternative dispute resolution programs for certain types of insurance claims. If you have a claim dispute with your insurer, our programs may help you to resolve it prior to taking legal action. If your insurer maintains a position regarding your claim which you find unsatisfactory, mediation will allow you to sit down face to face with the company and a neutral third party mediator licensed by the Department of Financial Services (DFS) to try and resolve your differences. The mediator acts to encourage and assist in the resolution of the dispute without dictating the outcome. If you have a sinkhole claim dispute, our sinkhole Neutral Evaluation program will provide a neutral third party professional to review the findings of the insurer.

Both mediation and sinkhole neutral evaluation are non-binding. Neither the insured nor the insurance company is legally obligated to accept the outcome of the mediation conference.

The following programs are currently available:

• Automobile
• Residential Property
• Commercial Residential
• Sinkhole Neutral Evaluation Program

Initiating Mediation

If you are having difficulty with your claim and are interested in one of our mediation programs, you may contact the DFS using the information listed below. Please note that the DFS may open a service request on your behalf and attempt to resolve the dispute with your insurer prior to scheduling a mediation hearing.

• Online Request: Request Assistance
• Telephone: Consumer Helpline 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236)
• Out of State Callers: (850) 413-3089
• Fax: Attn Mediation Section (850) 488-6372
• Mail: Florida Department of Financial Services, Mediation Section, Bureau of Education, Advocacy, and Research, 200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0322

Mediation Guides / Brochures