Hurricane Matthew could be the first major test of claims-handling capabilities by numerous young insurance companies created since the 2004-05 run of hurricanes that ended with Wilma.
And with Matthew’s path still uncertain but looking likely to impact the state, insurers are urging policyholders to protect themselves and their properties while assuring they stand ready to rapidly respond to claims.
“We are in full catastrophe mode,” said Richard A. Widdicombe, president of Heritage Property & Casualty, the tricounty region’s third-largest insurer of personal residential property with 88,336 policies as of June 30, according to state data.
“We have 250 adjustors mobilized,” Widdicombe said, referring to the workers insurance companies send out to estimate damage values. “Staging areas will be dictated by location. We have facilities in South Florida. Our call center is fully staffed, trained and operational. We are placing ads in local papers to direct policyholders to our claims department to expedite the claims process. We are sending email blasts to local agents and policyholders to our claims department to expedite the claims process.”
