Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty contacted property insurers in the lead-up to the fast-approaching storm season, encouraging them to participate in a program that focuses on hurricane loss mitigation. The program, a joint effort by the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) and Citizens Property Insurance Corp., educates Floridians on how to mitigate hurricane loss, at the same time enhancing chances for a more stable insurance market. The education event was part of the South Florida Hurricane Expo 2006 in Palm Beach County in April. Similar events are planned throughout the state.

More information is available from FLASH's Leslie Chapman Henderson at 850-385-7233.

OIR also issued a formal notice to all insurance companies licensed in Florida, reminding them that the use of approved translated policy forms is acceptable and encouraged.

Florida's population is growing at record rates and the Hispanic component of that growth is significant. Spanish is spoken in 35 percent of the homes in Florida. Recent figures estimate the state's Hispanic population at over 3.3 million.

“We are reminding companies that it is acceptable to use policy forms translated into Spanish and approved by our office,” McCarty said. “With so many Floridians speaking Spanish as a primary language or exclusively, it is imperative that they fully understand the provisions of their insurance policy.”

The office will soon add to its web site the names and contact information of insurers that currently offer policy forms in Spanish, so consumers can find companies that meet their needs.

Special Reports /

OIR Urges Hurricane Mitigation and Translated Policy Forms

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