Help for Floridians in a never-ending insurance battle

She had no clue she would be engaged in a long battle with her insurance company for damages caused by Hurricane Ian.

But now that she knows what she's up against, McFerren wants to help anyone else who's in the same situation. And she has an expert with a nationwide nonprofit advocacy group to help her educate others about what to do.

McFerren's story started in the summer of 2022. She bought a house in the Englewood area that she planned on restoring before moving in.

"I immediately hired gentlemen to paint and fix the flooring," McFerren said. "I was a week away from moving into the house before Ian hit."

After Ian, McFerren didn't think the damage to her house was that bad. She had some roofing and soffit damage along with some excess water in the house.

"I didn't know how bad hurricane damages could really be," she said. "It was a lot more than I initially thought."

She did what any homeowner would do when dealing with damages; call her insurance company and file a claim for damages.

McFerren would engage in a year-long insurance claim battle that she says has still not been concluded.

"At first, I couldn't even reach anyone," she said. "Finally, I got through and filed a claim."

With her claim filed, she thought the process would quicken, but after hearing nothing back, McFerren discovered that the insurance company had no record of her claim, and she was forced to file once more.

"It was a total nightmare," she said. "And then, I couldn't even get an appraiser."

McFerren said it was one thing after the other with runaround calls, answering machines and an inability to find her records. She just wanted to get her house assessed and damages taken care of.

"I had to stay with my friend," she said. "I couldn't even go home because of the damages and my health issues."

McFerren suffers from lung problems and congestive heart issues. The condition of her house would have inflamed her already apparent health concerns.

"I spent $15,000 on updating the house," she reiterated. "The whole thing was a very stressful time with little to no communication from the insurance company."

McFerren hired a public adjuster to help with her concerns. They helped guide her through the process of dealing with an insurance company.

"The house was 90% damaged with over $184,000 in damages," she said. "The insurance company offered me $15,000 total."

Beyond frustrated, McFerren and her public adjuster stayed on the insurance company in order to seek fair and just compensation.

"In April, the process began again for appraising damages," McFerren said. "The insurance company wanted their own appraiser to look at damages."

Already being low-balled by the appraiser the first time, McFerren wrote to U.S. Rep. Greg Steube. His office responded that her experience may not have state jurisdiction, but it could have grounds for federal jurisdiction. But Steube's office also gave her two contacts, one of which was United Policyholders, a national nonprofit.

"I also wrote three letters to the Department of Consumer Affairs," she said. "After the third one, an appraiser came out again."

It took McFerren a month to hear back about the appraisal which was bumped up to $44,000.

"It's unbelievable," she said.

McFerren felt like legal course may be necessary especially because the insurance company wanted to use an umpire that had dealings with the company, but she was unaware that the appraisal process prevents you from getting a lawyer.

"They offered me $70,000 rather than get a new umpire, and they wanted to use their own contractors," McFerren said. "We are allowed to have our own contractors."

Since the offer, McFerren hadn't heard back from her insurance company until last Thursday when she was informed that she may need to have legal counsel.

"I only have a little bit of money left from dealing with these people," she said. "Even though it's been a difficult road, I'm grateful for the wonderful people who have helped me along the way."

Over the course of the year, McFerren has gotten the most effective help from United Policyholders, a nonprofit that seeks to help individuals who are going through the same problems she's been facing.

She says she has learned much from the nonprofit and their people who are familiar with the insurance industry.

"People are suffering, and what the insurance companies are doing is wrong," McFerren said. "This process is stressful and discouraging, but we should all have a voice."

McFadden has organized a free seminar for this week at the Fellowship Church in Rotonda West to help provide advice and resources for homeowners. The church isn't affiliated with the group, but has let her hold the seminar at its facilities.

"If we help one family that would be enough," she said. "We want to let people know there's hope."

The free seminar is set for 1:30 p.m. on Thursday at 140 Rotonda Blvd., Rotonda West. For more about United Policyholders, visit uphelp.org or email info@uphelp.org.