 |
Volume 4 Number 10
March 9, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
CONSUMER
SERVICES HELPLINE
800-342-2762 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Dear Floridian:
On Monday, I joined Florida’s new Insurance Consumer
Advocate, General Bob Milligan, as he reported for his first day of
duty. Together we unveiled a new website designed to educate Floridians
about our vision for the position, as well as provide contact
information for consumers with insurance-related questions. Floridians
can now go online to
www.MyFloridaCFO.com/ica/ to access the Insurance Consumer Advocate’s Web
page.
Sincerely,
Alex Sink
|
|
Insurance Consumer Advocate Milligan
|
CFO ALEX SINK AND GENERAL MILLIGAN,
INSURANCE CONSUMER ADVOCATE, UNVEIL NEW WEBSITE FOR FLORIDIANS
Floridians can log on to
www.MyFloridaCFO.com/ica/
to learn about the Insurance Consumer Advocate
Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex
Sink joined General Bob Milligan on his first day reporting for duty as
Florida’s new Insurance Consumer Advocate. Pledging to increase awareness
of the Insurance Consumer Advocate’s office, the two unveiled a new website
designed to educate Floridians about their vision for the position, as well
as provide contact information for consumers with insurance-related
questions. Floridians can now go online at
www.MyFloridaCFO.com/ica/ to access the
Insurance Consumer Advocate’s Web page.
“As I stated during the
campaign, I want the Insurance Consumer Advocate to become a household name
in Florida,” said CFO Sink. “One of the first steps in strengthening the
Insurance Consumer Advocate is educating Floridians about this position and
how it serves the people.”
“As the Insurance Consumer
Advocate, it’s my goal to help educate and help defend the rights of
Floridians when it comes to insurance,” said General Milligan. “Together,
the CFO and I will also be searching for new insurance solutions that will
increase competition, stabilize the insurance market and offer consumers
more choices.” CONTINUED
|
|
Alex Sink
Chief Financial Officer
State of Florida
|
MARCH IS NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY
MONTH
This year, the theme for National Women's History Month is “Generations of Women Moving History
Forward”. During the month of March, the historical achievements and
advancements made by women are celebrated. As the first female member of
the consolidated Florida Cabinet, our Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink,
serves as a role model for young women who want to be trailblazers in the
financial and insurance industries.
Women's roles have often been overshadowed throughout history. Today, we embrace the part that women have played in
American history. Their meaningful contributions are being showcased and
are a rich legacy for our future generations. Yet, we must continue to
instill our young women with a belief in themselves that will help them
overcome any obstacles they may face. Education is the key to providing our
next generation with the tools and confidence they need to achieve their goals.
CONTINUED
|
|
 |
WINDSTORM MITIGATION STUDY COMMITTEE PUBLISHES FINAL REPORT
On the first day of the 2007 legislative session,
the Windstorm Mitigation Study Committee published its final report
analyzing mitigation efforts in Florida, including the My Safe Florida
Home program, and detailing recommendations for future efforts to harden
homes in Florida.
The final report can be found at
http://www.WindstormMitigationStudyCommittee.org.
The committee was created as a result of House Bill
1A, passed by the Florida Legislature during Special Session. The
committee was charged with analyzing short- and long-term solutions and
programs that address the need to immediately and effectively harden
homes in Florida. Copies of the report were delivered Tuesday to the
Governor, Chief Financial Officer, Senate President, Speaker of the
House and Insurance Commissioner. CONTINUED
|
|
 |
INFORMATION SOUGHT IN $250,000 WAL-MART
FIRE
IN PALM COAST
Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, who also serves as State Fire
Marshal, announced that the Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations (BFAI)
is asking for the public’s help in apprehending two individuals responsible
for a fire last Saturday at a Wal-Mart
in Palm Coast. The fire spread quickly, chasing as
many as 500 customers, including children and people in wheelchairs, from
the store. The fire caused about $250,000 in damage. No injuries were
reported.
“This could have been a deadly situation and we are
aggressively investigating this crime,” said CFO Sink. “We hope someone
will have information that will help us immediately catch who did this.”
The fire occurred shortly after 5:40 p.m., March 3, at
the Wal-Mart located at 174 Cypress Point Parkway,
Palm Coast. Store video of the fire
being set is being distributed to media in the central Florida region with
the aim that someone will identify the perpetrators or provide more
information.
The BFAI is working the investigation along with the
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and
Firearms. The Florida Advisory Committee on Arson Prevention is offering a
$2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
The Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations is a law
enforcement branch of the Division of State Fire Marshal that assists other
state and local fire and law enforcement agencies in the investigation of
fires of suspicious origin. Anyone with information about this case or any
incident of fire is asked to call 1-877-662-7766 (1-877-NOARSON).
|
|
|
STATE FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE SEEKS INFO IN FATAL ARSON
IN IMMOKALEE
Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, who also serves as State Fire
Marshal, is urging anyone with information about a fire at a mobile home
that led to the deaths of four people and the hospitalization of six others
in Immokalee to call 1-877-662-7766 (1-877-NOARSON).
The fire occurred Sunday morning at a mobile home in Cleves Trailer Park,
713 2nd Ave., Lot #18, Immokalee, and detectives with the State Fire Marshal’s Office,
Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations (BFAI) have determined the fire was
intentionally set. It was the second time in as many weeks that a fire was
reported at the home.
“A reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and
conviction of whoever is responsible for taking these lives,” said CFO Sink.
“We will not tolerate this kind of violence and are aggressively working to
bring those responsible to justice.”
CONTINUED
|
|
 |
HOTLINE PROVIDES HELP TO PREVENT
FORECLOSURES
Statistics indicate that half of all consumers who lose
their homes to foreclosure have never contacted their lenders, according to
a recent Freddie Mac study. Also 60% were unaware that lenders might have
been able to offer workout options. The HomeOwnership Preservation
Foundation, Neighborworks ® America, Fannie Mae Foundation, the United Way
and the nonprofit Consumer Credit Counseling Service have joined together to
help homeowners in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure. The service
provides options for the homeowner to consider.
The special foreclosure prevention hotline is
1-888-995-4673. It links homeowners with free counseling 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week, both in English and Spanish. The nonprofit housing
counselor offers consumers free advice based on a discussion of the
consumer’s overall delinquency situation and a review of debts that is
provided over the telephone by the consumer. The process takes about half
an hour and no identification information is requested from the consumer
such as their date of birth or social security number. This helps alleviate
concerns about identity theft, and there is no adverse impact to the
consumer’s credit score since no additional inquiries are made on the
consumer’s credit report. Appointments can be made in person if desired.
CONTINUED
|
|
