Hurricane Ian insurance villages return to region

The Florida Department of Financial Services will host three Insurance Villages this week in Southwest Florida.

"The villages will serve as an opportunity for policyholders to meet with their property insurer in-person and work together to resolve outstanding claims," according to an email from the department's Division of Consumer Services.

Representatives from the National Flood Insurance Program and more than a dozen insurers are expected to be on hand to assist insurance consumers.

The insurance villages will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.:

Tuesday, Jan. 24, Charlotte County Event Center, 75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda

Wednesday, Jan. 25, Tringali Meeting Hall, 3450 N. Access Road, Englewood, (West Building)

Friday, Jan. 27 and Saturday, Jan. 28, Florida Southwestern State College, 8099 College Parkway, A177, Fort Myers, Florida

Policyholders should bring as much documentation as they can, including:

A driver's license, passport, state-issued ID or other form of identification.

Insurance cards and insurance policy information/documentation

Pictures or documentation of the property being claimed as a loss resulting from Hurricane Ian

Repair estimates

Any additional insurance-related information that is readily accessible.

The insurance villages will exclusively focus on insurance related-issues and staff from other agencies will not be present to assist with other post-storm benefits. For more information visit www.FloridaDisaster.org.

FEMA REACHES MILESTONE

FEMA has awarded grants to 63,000 households affected by Hurricane Ian for rental assistance or basic repairs of their storm-damaged home, the agency reported Monday.

This assistance is part of $5.2 billion in federal support provided to Florida following this disaster through FEMA grants to households, disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration and claims payments from the National Flood Insurance Program.

FEMA's Direct Temporary Housing mission has also placed 118 families in travel trailers or manufactured housing units, the agency reported.

There are 220 units being prepared for occupancy and site inspections underway for more units.

Additionally, more than 119,000 people have visited Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in 26 counties, and Disaster Survivor Assistance teams have visited more than 354,000 homes in counties designated for Individual Assistance after Hurricane Ian, as FEMA continues to meet people where they are and helps them with their recovery.

Currently, 18 DRCs are operating for Hurricane Ian, including the center at the Triangali Center in Englewood, 3450 N Access Road, Englewood.

Hurricane Ian support by the numbers

$5.2 billion in federal grants, disaster loans and flood insurance payments.

$917 million in FEMA Individual Assistance approved for 373,350 households.

$1.54 billion in U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans approved.

45,800 National Flood Insurance Program claims filed; $2.29 billion paid.

$504 million in FEMA Public Assistance approved for emergency response costs.

1,260 households (3,062 members) checked into hotel rooms under FEMA's Transitional Sheltering Assistance for households.

20,119 Blue Roofs installed by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.