The 2017 hurricane season was devastating for many across several states, including Floridians, hit hard by Hurricane Irma. Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, the nonprofit insurer set up by the state legislature in 2002, recently announced that it is revisiting claims and making additional payments as repairs are made to help Florida citizens continue to recover from the hurricane, which hit Florida on Sept. 10, 2017, after wreaking havoc in the Caribbean.

According to its statement, to date, more than 24,500 of 66,400 Irma claims, about 37%, have been reopened for supplemental payment and to allow policyholders or their representatives to provide additional information related to their claim. Overall, the statement says, Citizens has closed nearly 90% of all Irma-related claims, noting that open claims include properties with extensive damage, disputes and those in which the contractor has not yet provided a repair estimate.

“We want to reinforce to people that what we have provided them is an estimate and that estimates may change as repairs begin,” said Jay Adams, Citizens Chief of Claims in the statement. “The initial estimate and payment do not necessarily mean your claim has been concluded.”

Related: Florida Gov. Scott signs bills mandating backup power

Additional payments depend on repairs

Citizens explained that, as is standard for similar insurance claims, it made initial payments immediately following the storm to policyholders whose losses exceeded their hurricane deductibles. Those initial payments were based on the actual cash value of damages incurred. Additional payments to cover the replacement costs of the covered loss are paid as repairs get underway.

Policyholders may be entitled to supplemental payments for additional Irma-related damaged discovered during the repair process, or if the initial settlement isn't enough to make reasonable repairs on covered losses based on market conditions. Citizens reminds policyholders to contact the insurer before they have a contractor begin repairs for damages not included in the initial estimate or if the contractor believes the cost for the repairs will be higher than the initial estimate.

Related: Citrus industry losses from 2017 storms involve multiple policies, coverages

Policyholders with questions and concerns can contact the Citizens Claims Resolution Unit at 866-411-2742, ext.7794, or e-mail [email protected]. In the Keys, policyholders may also ask for field adjusters to provide face-to-face consultations.

“The claims team is diligently working to resolve all open claims as we prepare for the upcoming 2018 Atlantic hurricane season,” said Craig Sakraida, Citizens Senior Director of Claims. “Citizens has dedicated adjusters available to review requests for supplemental payments and set up additional inspections if needed.”

Related: Water claims jump in Florida, insurance regulator reports