CFO SINK’S STATEWIDE DISASTER PREPAREDNESS BLITZ
KICKS OFF TODAY WITH 16 EVENTS THROUGH SATURDAY
TALLAHASSEE- Florida CFO Alex Sink announced today the launch of a statewide weeklong blitz to educate Floridians on how to prepare financially for any potential disaster. With the theme "Insure, Secure, Recover," 16 free workshops are being held throughout the state for consumers and small businesses. The blitz week aims to bring attention to the need to prepare for the start of hurricane season on June 1.
"Hurricane Preparedness Week begins on Sunday and we want to remind Floridians, especially our small businesses, about the importance of being well-prepared before disaster hits," said CFO Sink. "Being prepared means more than just having plywood and sandbags. For businesses it means having enough insurance to cover potential losses, understanding how to measure the impact of business interruption and what documents will be needed to get any claim paid quickly. The BP oil spill has been a reminder us of the importance of businesses having a plan not just for hurricanes, but for any disaster."
The workshops are being provided by the Department's Division of Consumer Services, Division of Agent and Agency Services, Division of Insurance Fraud, Division of State Fire Marshal and the Insurance Consumer Advocate’s Office in partnership with county and local Emergency Operations Centers, local Chambers of Commerce, the Institute for Business and Home Safety, the U.S. Small Business Administration, the University of Florida Extension Service, the National Weather Service and the American Red Cross. Workshops are being held this week in Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, Pensacola, Okeechobee, Ocala, Port Orange, Punta Gorda, Orlando, Miami, Crestview, Tampa and West Palm Beach.
Three of the top reasons that insurance claims are denied are:
- Insufficient documentation
- Lack of adequate insurance coverage
- Failure to retain proof of damage
The workshops will feature presentations that walk Floridians through the steps they should take and the questions they should ask their insurance agent to ensure they have the coverage they need to protect their property and their families.
The free workshops will continue through the end of November, when hurricane season ends. Here is the calendar of events through June. To request an event in your area, visit www.MyFloridaCFO.com or call (850) 413-3089 or toll-free at 1-877-My-FL-CFO (1-877- 693-5236).