LETTER: Insurance companies refusing to help us

Editor:

Insurance! The word alone can make the strongest individual cringe.

I am writing to express my disgust with the insurance industry and the scam it has become.

In September 2022 my extended family sat in my Punta Gorda home hoping for the best. As the storm passed overhead, my pool's solar panels ripped loose from my roof and crashed through my pool cage. Moments later we watched as shingles from my one-year-old roof came flying off along with soffit and fascia. Screen doors were damaged on both sides of the house and my insulation was destroyed along with many other minor items. My homeowners insurance company's response? Damage amount $6,900. My deductible $7,000.

Fast forward to last month. I go down on my motorcycle losing consciousness and suffering a kidney bleed, severe concussions, cracked ribs and several other minor injuries. After a brief stay in the hospital, I am released and get orders for CAT scans. My health insurance company's response: patient responsibility $3,000 for the scan. After a few calls I find that I can pay cash out of pocket just under $1,000 total to get my scans done.

I understand that insurance companies are a business and need to make money but seriously! I don't pretend to know a solution but something needs to be done. Insurance companies pay executives millions and those of us who are at lifetime lows are left holding the bag. This election cycle I will be looking for solutions Mr. Politicians!

John Herb

Punta Gorda