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CFO Jimmy Patronis

CFO Patronis and Rep. McGhee to Co-Host Miami Insurance Forum

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MEDIA ADVISORY

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis today announced that the Department of Financial Services (DFS) will host a community insurance forum in Miami on Saturday, November 4 in partnership with Representative Kionne L. McGhee.  DFS insurance specialists will join teams from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation and Citizens Property Insurance Corporation to assist Miami area residents with insurance concerns and complaints.
At the event, consumers can speak one-on-one with insurance specialists to gain assistance with the filing of Hurricane Irma insurance claims, help with pending claims, or general insurance advise. Consumers can also file a complaint regarding an existing claim and report suspected insurance fraud.
WHAT: Community Insurance Forum
WHERE: The Bethel Church – Richmond Heights
14440 Lincoln Boulevard
Miami, Fla. 33176
WHEN: Saturday, November 4
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST
All area residents are welcome to attend this free event. Participants are encouraged to bring copies of their insurance policies.
Floridians can gain year-round insurance assistance by calling Florida’s free Insurance Consumer Helpline at 1-877-MY-FL-CFO. Information is also available online at www.myfloridacfo.com.

ICYMI: Panama City News Herald: “Patronis helps state weather the storms”

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“Patronis helps state weather the storms”
Panama City News Herald
Story by John Henderson
October 29, 2017
Click HERE to read the full story.
Jimmy Patronis has been a traveling man since he began his job as the state’s chief financial officer on July 1. In fact, at the rate he’s going, his on-the-job mileage by November will match the earth’s circumference.
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Since starting the job, Patronis has driven to all corners of the state, urging people to get their insurance information in order before hurricanes Irma and Nate and helping them avoid contractor fraud after them.
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Florida’s CFO oversees the state’s accounting and auditing functions and unclaimed property, monitors the investment of state funds and manages the risk management program for the state. The CFO also handles licensing and oversight of insurance agents and agencies, as well as funeral homes and cemeteries.
The CFO also oversees insurance fraud investigations, workers’ compensation coverage and serves as state fire marshal and a member of the Florida Cabinet.
As CFO, Patronis is in charge of the state’s checkbooks while overseeing an agency with about 2,000 employees and a budget of $298 million.
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After the storms, he traveled to areas hit by the storm, advising residents on how to expedite their economic recovery. He said before the storm left the state line, he and his team in a 24-hour period made stops in Tampa and the counties of Charlotte, Manatee, Lee, Hendry, Orange and Duval.
“We were helping people understand how to respond,” he said. “But more importantly, warning them of the fraud that follows a storm.”
Patronis said he’s learned a lot about the job in the four months in office, including the excellent condition of the state’s finances.
“Because of the credit worthiness of the state and what we have in keeping cash reserves, it has allowed the state to borrow money really almost cheaper than any other state in the union,” he said. “In the time since Gov. Scott has taken office, there have been billions of dollars in savings just in interest payments, and that’s real money that goes to education, health care, roads, infrastructure.”
 

ICYMI: Insurance Journal: Florida Reports More Than $9 Million Recovered for Insurance Consumers in Q3

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Insurance Journal
October 27, 2017
Click HERE to read the full story.
Assistance provided to Floridians by from Florida’s insurance consumer helpline led to the recovery of nearly $9.3 million in the third quarter of 2017, according to a statement from Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis. Recoveries included insurance claim payments and premium refunds that consumers sought the Department of Financial Services’ help collecting.
The helpline assists Floridians with financial and insurance-related matters, including disaster preparation and insurance fraud, as well as questions and complaints regarding auto, home, health, life and small business insurance. Between July 1, 2017 and Sept. 30, 2017, the helpline’s insurance specialists answered 70,454 calls and opened nearly 4,500 assistance requests. Nearly $9.3 million was recovered on behalf of 1,307 consumers.
Since January, the helpline has answered more than 211,000 calls, opening nearly 14,000 assistance requested and helping return a total of $25.9 million back to Floridians.
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“As many families continue to navigate the post-storm claims process, I encourage them to call us if they reach a roadblock of any kind. Our experts will advocate on their behalf, and quite possibly, secure a positive outcome to a problem that seemed otherwise unsolvable. We’re only one call away, and we’re always ready to help,” Patronis said.
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Floridians can contact the insurance consumer helpline toll-free by calling 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236).
 

CFO Patronis’ Insurance Consumer Helpline Recovers More Than $9 Million for Floridians in Third Quarter of 2017

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Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis today announced that assistance provided to Floridians by insurance specialists working Florida’s insurance consumer helpline (1-877-MY-FL-CFO) led to the recovery of nearly $9.3 million in the third quarter of 2017. Recoveries included insurance claim payments and premium refunds that consumers sought the Department of Financial Services’ help collecting.
CFO Patronis said, “Now more than ever, it’s crucial for Floridians to know that they have an unbiased place to turn for insurance information. As many families continue to navigate the post-storm claims process, I encourage them to call us if they reach a roadblock of any kind. Our experts will advocate on their behalf, and quite possibly, secure a positive outcome to a problem that seemed otherwise unsolvable. We’re only one call away, and we’re always ready to help.”
The helpline assists Floridians with financial and insurance-related matters, including disaster preparation and insurance fraud, as well as questions and complaints regarding auto, home, health, life and small business insurance. Between July 1, 2017 and September 30, 2017, the helpline’s insurance specialists answered 70,454 calls and opened nearly 4,500 assistance requests. Nearly $9.3 million was recovered on behalf of 1,307 consumers.
Since January, the helpline has answered more than 211,000 calls, opening nearly 14,000 assistance requested and helping return a total of $25.9 million back to Floridians.
Recent examples of how consumers were helped by helpline specialists include:

  • A Bay County consumer asked for the Department’s assistance with an automobile claim after his car was stolen in January 2017. After providing his insurance company with the police report and supporting documentation to validate the theft, he stopped hearing from his insurance company. Following several unsuccessful attempts at reaching his insurance adjuster, who had previously acknowledged receiving the documentation, the consumer called the helpline. The insurance company said that staff turnover had derailed the processing of property damage claims, but quickly processed and paid out the consumer’s $6,100 claim.
  • A Brevard County consumer filed a homeowners’ claim for Hurricane Matthew damages in October 2016, and, after all repairs had been completed, the consumer filed a second claim in Spring 2017 for the recoverable depreciation. The consumer’s second claim went unanswered for months, until she contacted the Helpline for assistance. The insurance company acknowledged receipt of the second claim, but could provide no valid reason why it had not responded to the consumer or paid the claim. Soon after speaking with a DFS insurance expert, the insurance company apologized to the consumer and promptly paid the $1,372 claim.
  • A Citrus County consumer requested the Department’s assistance when, after her sister’s passing, her sibling’s life insurance company continued to demand monthly premium payments rather than paying out the policy benefit. Even after providing a death certificate and beneficiary information, several calls to the life insurance company could not solve the problem. A DFS insurance expert reached out on the consumer’s behalf, and the company acknowledged the miscommunication and delay. The nearly $10,000 policy benefit was promptly paid out to the consumer as her sister’s beneficiary.
  • A Brevard County consumer contacted the helpline to settle an aging but unresolved homeowners’ claim. The consumer’s insurance company offered $10,000 in June 2016 to settle the claim, but the consumer declined and hired a public adjuster to help her. The public adjuster she hired worked alongside the insurance company’s adjuster to submit a second settlement offer, which was rejected by the insurance company. After going to mediation and reaching a settlement amount in April 2017, the claim was still not paid by the company. Upon calling for assistance, helpline experts secured the release of the $61,000 payment to the consumer.

Floridians can contact the insurance consumer helpline toll-free by calling 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236).

CFO Patronis Urges Congress to Address Costly Health Insurance Tax

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Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis today sent a letter to Florida’s congressional delegation urging them to address the costly and ill-designed federal Health Insurance Tax (HIT) ahead of its impending implementation. The HIT requires insurance companies offering full coverage plans to pay an annual tax to help cover the cost of the federal exchange. While Congress delayed the HIT’s 2017 implementation, without additional action, it will become effective January 1, 2018. To cover the cost of paying the HIT, insurance companies are expected to significantly raise rates.
CFO Patronis said, “Congress has delayed the 2017 HIT implementation, lowering policyholders’ premiums by three percent, and saving the health care system an estimated $13.9 billion. However, a delay is but a temporary reprieve. Without immediate Congressional action, the tax will go into effect January 1, 2018, with a $22 billion first-year fiscal impact. With a 10-year projected impact of $267 billion, Florida simply cannot afford inaction. Florida alone faces a $1.7 billion overall increase in 2018 health care premiums. Florida’s state workforce covered by the state-sponsored health plan can expect a $188 annual increase for individual coverage, and families can expect to pay an additional $518 in 2018.”
Read a copy of the CFO’s letter here.

CFO Patronis Urges FEMA to Reconsider Vendor Transition During Heart of Hurricane Season

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Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator William “Brock” Long urging FEMA to reconsider an upcoming vendor transition that could delay the processing of federal flood claims in Florida. CFO Patronis asked FEMA officials to release a transition plan that ensures no pending claims face delays or to consider delaying the transition until the end of the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
CFO Patronis said, “…I am concerned that an upcoming vendor transition within a critical federal program may present a roadblock to Florida’s current progress. It is my understanding that the National Federal Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) will soon transition to a new policy management vendor, a move that is set to impact more than 600,000 policyholders. Many of these 600,000 policyholders reside in Florida, and I fear that Floridians may be forced to bear costly consequences caused by this change. With an estimated 18,000 damage claims resulting from Hurricanes Irma, Maria and Harvey currently pending, scheduled changes to claims processing and payment procedures stand to create delays and potentially derail Florida families from getting back to normal life during these high-stress times.”
To read the CFO’s full letter, click here.

CFO Jimmy Patronis Recognizes Fort Myers Fraud Investigator Glen Clasen for Outstanding Service

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During Tuesday’s meeting of the Florida Cabinet, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis honored Department of Financial Services Lieutenant Glen Clasen as a recent recipient of the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Florida’s Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award. Lt. Clasen was honored for his work on a high-profile personal injury protection (PIP) case that led to a successful 14-year mail fraud conviction in federal court.
CFO Patronis said, “PIP fraud has driven up the cost of car insurance in our state, and it’s a crime that our Department had dedicated significant resources to fighting in Florida. We’re making great strides, and Lt. Clasen’s dedication to this case reiterates our collective commitment to breaking down these fraud rings at the highest levels. His award and recognition are well-deserved for a job well done.”
Prior to joining the Department of Financial Services, Lt. Clasen served the Fort Myers Police Department, as well as in the United States Navy as a search and rescue swimmer aboard the USS John F. Kennedy. Lt. Clasen joined the Department in 2006 as a detective assigned to the Bureau of Insurance Fraud’s Fort Myers Field Office. He was promoted to lead detective in 2013 and lieutenant in June 2015.
The PIP case that led to Lt. Clasen’s award involved a large-scale criminal network that spanned from Kentucky to Fort Myers, Florida. Lt. Clasen partnered with the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service and the National Insurance Crime Bureau to unravel the fraud ring that involved staged vehicle accidents, straw clinic ownership, fraudulent insurance claims, money laundering and mail fraud. Throughout the duration of the investigation, Lt. Clasen conducted hours of surveillance and secured a confidential source who provided information critical to the case.
The lieutenant contacted each of the involved insurance companies and assisted them in identifying fraudulently-billed claims. The evidence gathered throughout the course of the investigation led law enforcement to the ringleader of the network, who was tried, convicted and sentenced to 14 years in federal prison last September.
The Department of Financial Services is the state of Florida’s lead investigative agency for insurance and workers’ compensation fraud, fire and arson investigations and the theft or misuse of state funds. To report suspected fraud, call the Department’s toll-free Fraud Tip Hotline at 1-800-378-0445.

CFO Patronis Honors Fallen Firefighters During Annual Ceremony in Ocala

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CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis today honored Florida firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty during the annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial Ceremony at the Florida State Fire College in Ocala. CFO Patronis was joined by family members of the fallen and fire service personnel from across Florida to memorialize Joseph T. DeMarinis with the Clermont Fire Department and James F. Dorminy with the Reedy Creek Fire Department. Seven historical line of duty deaths were also recognized as part of today’s ceremony.
CFO Patronis said, “Firefighters are deserving of our unending gratitude for laying their lives on the line each time they report to work. Today, we honored those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others and lost their lives far too soon. By adding their names to Florida’s Fallen Firefighter Memorial, they will forever be remembered as the heroes that they are.”
Joseph T. DeMarinis tragically passed away on July 14, 2016, following a cardiac event that happened after a shift. Firefighter DeMarinis joined the Clermont Fire Department in August 2014. DeMarinis was also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps who served two tours in Iraq. He is survived by his parents, and his wife Brandi, and their five children, ages 1 to 17.
James F. Dorminy, a 23-year veteran of the fire service, tragically passed away on May 18, 2017. Following his May 9 shift, Lieutenant Dorminy went to the gym where he was later found in the pool in need of urgent medical attention. Days later, he was removed from life support and passed away. He is survived by his wife Lesly and their four children.
In addition to Firefighter DeMarinis and Lieutenant Dorminy, the following individuals were also added to Florida’s Fallen Firefighter Memorial, representing historical line of duty deaths:
James Russell with the Miami Fire Department who passed away on January 11, 1925, Sidney Houpt with the Miami Fire Department who passed away on March 7, 1926, Robert Knight with the Fort Lauderdale Fire Department who passed away on December 27, 1940, Sam Frazer with the Miami Fire Department who passed away on February 15, 1953, Norman Hasting with the Fort Lauderdale Fire Department who passed away on November 28, 1961, Joel D. Wooldridge with the Miami Fire Department who passed away on December 4, 1974 and Vern Gransden with the Miami Fire Department who passed away on October 29, 1977.
In total, 193 names are represented on Florida’s Fallen Firefighter Memorial.

CFO Patronis Deploys Insurance Experts to the Florida Keys

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Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis today announced that the Department of Financial Services is sending insurance specialists to the Florida Keys to assist with the handling of Hurricane Irma claims.
CFO Patronis said, “The Keys are back open for business, but recovery efforts will continue in the weeks ahead and many residents are still in need of help with the filing of insurance claims on their damaged homes. I’ve seen the damage in the Keys firsthand, and I want homeowners to have the best possible advice at their fingertips when making important insurance decisions regarding repairs. We’re proud to be a resource as our fellow Floridians recover and rebuild from this historic storm.”
Beginning Friday, October 13 through Sunday, October 15, the Department will help facilitate five community insurance forums in Monroe County. Hosted in partnership with the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, the Monroe County Bar Association and a local non-profit group focused on securing fair insurance rates for area residents will also be in attendance.
The community forum locations are as follows:
Key West
Friday, October 13 | 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. EST
Harvey Government Center
1200 Truman Avenue
Lower Keys
Saturday, October 14 | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST
Sugarloaf Fire Station
17175 Overseas Highway, Mile Marker 17
Marathon
Saturday, October 14 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. EST
Monroe County BOCC Chambers
2798 Overseas Highway
Islamorada
Sunday, October 15 | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST
Whale Harbor
83413 Overseas Highway, Mile Marker 83.4
Key Largo
Sunday, October 15 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. EST
Murray Nelson Government Center
102050 Overseas Highway
Following these weekend events, the Department’s insurance specialists will remain in Monroe County to provide individual insurance assistance at area Capital Bank locations.
Beginning Monday, October 16 through Wednesday, October 18, insurance specialists will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST at the following bank locations:
Capital Bank
2348 Overseas Highway
Marathon, FL
Capital Bank
30480 Overseas Highway
Big Pine Key, FL
Capital Bank
330 Whitehead Street
Key West, FL
Capital Bank
80900 Overseas Highway
Islamorada, FL
All Floridians and business owners can gain one-on-one insurance expertise by calling the Department’s toll-free Insurance Consumer Helpline at 1-877-MY-FL-CFO. The Department has also launched a Hurricane Season Insurance Resources website available by visiting www.myfloridacfo.com

CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis Hosts Annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial Ceremony in Ocala

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MEDIA ADVISORY

On Friday, October 13, Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis will join firefighters from across Florida to honor members of the fire service community who have lost their lives in the line of duty during the annual Florida Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service at the Florida State Fire College in Ocala.
Joseph T. DeMarinis of the Clermont Fire Department and James F. Dorminy of the Reedy Creek Fire Department will be memorialized during this year’s ceremony. Seven additional historical names will also be added to Florida’s Fallen Firefighter Memorial.
WHAT: Fallen Firefighter Memorial Ceremony
WHEN: Friday, October 13
9:30 a.m. EST
WHERE: Florida State Fire College
11655 NW Gainesville Road
Ocala, Fla. 34482
Media are asked to confirm their attendance by calling the CFO’s Press Office at (850) 413-2842 or emailing [email protected].