I just lately had the chance to work with FOX 13 Information Chief Investigator/Political Editor Craig Patrick on a narrative he was doing on the householders insurance coverage disaster right here in Florida. I used to be admittedly guarded when first approached about an interview with my purchasers, Chrissy and Stephen Spaziani. I’d just lately been retained by Chrissy and Stephen to help them with their combat towards TypTap Insurance coverage Firm. Like every policyholder advocate value their salt, I took the time to do my homework on Craig earlier than agreeing to my purchasers’ participation. I reached out to Doug Quinn of the American Policyholder Affiliation, and Doug reassured me that Craig would produce a good and factual expose for his viewers.
I met Craig at my purchasers’ property on a sweltering southwest Florida morning. Upon getting into the residence, we have been greeted by Chrissy and Stephen, with a number of fantastic snacks and drinks. I have to say, the Spaziani’s know how you can deal with their friends. Their hospitality is greater than outstanding, contemplating that their residence remains to be in shambles on account of harm sustained from Hurricane Ian. Craig‘s cameraman (additionally named Craig, by the way in which) did an distinctive job of capturing the harm, however I can let you know firsthand the movies and footage don’t do the harm justice.
Chrissy and Stephen’s story is, sadly, all too frequent on this day in age. They filed their declare instantly after Hurricane Ian handed. Chrissy tells the story of driving miles from her residence, throughout a bridge, to the place she was capable of get cellphone service in order that she might notify her home-owner’s insurance coverage firm of the harm. A month handed after the insurance coverage firm’s adjuster inspected the property with no updates for the Spaziani’s. When Chrissy referred to as to get an replace from TypTap, she was advised by a consultant that “individuals like her have been the explanation why insurance coverage firms have been going out of enterprise right here in Florida and that she was committing insurance coverage fraud” (I plan to jot down extra about this side of the declare at a later date.)
Finally, their residence was broken by Hurricane Ian to the tune of over $200,000.00. Thus far, their insurance coverage firm has solely paid them roughly $60,000. So as to add insult to damage, my purchasers’ mortgage firm is holding the settlement checks till the work is accomplished. Up to now, practically 11 months after Hurricane Ian made landfall, my purchasers’ have been unable to discover a basic contractor prepared to tackle the mission as a result of the quantity of $60,000 shouldn’t be practically sufficient cash to finish the repairs. After exhausting all different avenues of decision, Chrissy and Stephen have determined to file a lawsuit towards TypTap for Breach of Contract.
Thank goodness that reporters like Craig Patrick exist. Whereas this can be a narrative about one household, it’s a story that’s far too much like different policyholders. In a time the place media is commonly influenced by promoting {dollars}, Craig Patrick demonstrated that there are nonetheless honest and correct reporters within the media who work with information organizations pushed by rules and the will to report the reality.
Journalists play an necessary function in society on the subject of exposing dangerous actors who’re systematically harming individuals. Reporters like Craig Patrick and Brianna Sacks, who we famous in The Washington Publish Continues to Expose Florida’s Failed Insurance coverage Regulation, play necessary roles in displaying tales to our elected officers about why we want stronger legal guidelines defending policyholders and holding wrongful-acting insurance coverage firms accountable. The regulation mustn’t tolerate one of these therapy.
United Policyholders and the American Policyholder Affiliation additionally play an necessary function. Their mission is to advocate for policyholder pursuits and expose wrongful insurance coverage firm conduct. Merlin Legislation Group helps these teams as a result of they rise up for our policyholder purchasers. They take the tales portrayed within the media on to elected officers and policymakers on the departments of insurance coverage.
Thought For The Day
Journalism is what we have to make democracy work.
—Walter Cronkite
