CFO Jeff Atwater Urges Floridians to ‘Protect Your Home Base’ and Prepare Financially for Hurricane Season

TALLAHASSEE, FL – June 5, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — During the first week of the 2012 Hurricane Season, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater is urging Floridians to “Protect Your Home Base” and prepare financially for a storm this year. With two named storms before the season officially began, one making landfall in Florida just two weeks ago, now is the time for Floridians to prepare and protect their homes and businesses.

“As Floridians, we know all too well the impact a storm can have on our home or business, both structurally and financially,” CFO Atwater said. “The importance of preparing for a hurricane cannot be stressed enough. Just like in the game of baseball, you have to prepare, plan and execute the plan to protect your home base. Failure to follow these steps could cost you the game or could mean thousands of dollars of damage you will have to pay from your own pocket.”

Residents should begin by reviewing their insurance policies with a licensed insurance agent to ensure they have adequate coverage in the event of a disaster. The top three reasons homeowners strike out when it comes to insurance claims are insufficient documentation, lack of adequate insurance coverage and failure to retain proof of damage. Score a home run this hurricane season. Take the necessary steps to protect your family, home and business now.

Look for the “Protect Your Home Base” logo on the Department of Financial Services, Division of Consumer Services’ website, http://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/Consumers/Storm/, which offers videos, brochures, resources and tips, along with a disaster preparedness section that includes a home inventory checklist. Should a tropical storm or hurricane take aim at our state, the division will activate a special consumer helpline, 1-800-22-STORM, to assist victims with insurance matters.

For additional information on hurricane preparedness, call 1-877-My-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236).

Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, a statewide elected official, oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Atwater’s priorities include fighting financial fraud, abuse and waste in government, reducing government spending and regulatory burdens that chase away businesses, and providing transparency and accountability in spending.

Contact:
Alexis Lambert
(850) 413-2842