With three storms churning out in the Atlantic Ocean, the Atlantic Hurricane Season’s “peak period” is definitely living up to its reputation. In light of the activity, we’ve gathered some information that may be helpful to Florida insurance professionals during this time.
When was the last time you checked your license status?
The Florida Department of Financial Services Bureau of Licensing recommends All Lines adjusters ask themselves the following questions to ensure they are ready before a storm is upon us:
- Is your license active?
- Are you self-appointed or appointed by an insurer or other firm?
- Are you compliant with your continuing education requirements? (General, Personal and All Lines Adjusters must have: 5 hours of Law & Ethics Update & 19 hours of Elective credits)
- Has a primary adjuster been designated for your organization?
- Is your contact information up-to-date?
- Are any apprentices licensed and appointed?
- Do you have your Department issued license with you?
To check on your Florida license and education status, you can visit: MyProfile or contact AgentLicensing@MyFloridaCFO.com for assistance.
What do you do to keep up with the many storm advisories and updates?
Claims Pages, an online reference source for insurance claim professionals, provides helpful tracking information for various storms and weather advisories all in one place. They pull information every 10 minutes from sources like the National Weather Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the United States Geological Survey, and the National Hurricane Center. To view the information gathered, visit: https://www.claimspages.com/stormwatch/.
If a storm affects Florida, do you know what one of the most important things to do is when assessing a claim?
Document, document, document. As you assess the damages left behind, it is important to sufficiently document your file in the event a claim turns into a lawsuit. We can provide an Initial Claims Investigation Checklist you may find valuable in ensuring you have properly documented your file.
We hope the information provided is helpful. If you are interested in a copy of the Initial Investigation Checklist, need assistance with storm related issues and/or wish to coordinate a complimentary continuing education seminar to ensure you are up to speed with your requirements, please do not hesitate to contact our team at StormHelp@kubickidraper.com. We are here if you need us and welcome the opportunity to be of service.