St. Petersburg Residents Struggle with Insurance Claims After Hurricane Milton’s Devastation

News Summary

Residents of St. Petersburg, Florida, are facing significant challenges in securing insurance claims following the destruction caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Homeowners like Kim Zetta report extensive damages to their properties, prompting claims that exceed insurance caps, leaving them in financial distress. The city’s response includes setting up an insurance village to aid residents in navigating their claims and enhancing local regulations to expedite repair permits. As recovery efforts ramp up, the community bands together to restore what was lost amidst the chaos.

St. Petersburg Residents Struggle with Insurance Claims After Hurricane Milton’s Devastation

St. Petersburg, Florida, is working its way back from the chaos left behind by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The winds and water took a toll that many residents didn’t see coming, leaving them grappling with Major damage to their homes and frustrating insurance claims.

Homeowners Voice Their Frustrations

Among those feeling the heat is a longtime St. Pete resident who experienced Hurricane Milton in a shocking way. Kim Zetta, who has lovingly called St. Petersburg home for over 30 years, described the storm’s impact as like walking in a “waterfall of rain” right within her own walls. Her house was left with extensive damage, much of which was caused by massive roof failures that sent chunks flying into her yard and even onto a friend’s car.

A public adjuster inspected Zetta’s home and pointed out the severe water intrusion and the urgent need for repairs. After the dust settled—quite literally—Zetta filed a claim with Citizens Property Insurance totaling over $300,000. This claim covered not just the content damage, but also living expenses while her home is under repair.

Insurance Limitations Leave Homeowners in the Lurch

Despite the frightening damage and her financial claims, Zetta is running into roadblocks with her insurance policy. While it covers a total loss, there’s a cap of $269,000, leaving her with a significant shortfall. To add to the stress, Citizens Property Insurance kicked off the process with only a partial payment of around $52,000. After filing an appeal, that amount remained as her only assistance, leaving Zetta feeling like she’s stuck in a waiting game.

She vented her deep frustration, mentioning how the initial payment barely scratches the surface, failing to cover the costs of basic repairs such as gutting the house and replacing drywall. Citizens Properties has announced that they will reassess her claim and send it to their appraisal team for a second look, which offers a sliver of hope, though uncertainty still lingers.

Temporary Solutions Amidst Long-Term Issues

Due to the state of her home, Zetta is currently living in an RV parked on her lawn while Citizens has provided an advanced check for living expenses. On a broader scale, the City of St. Petersburg is also grappling with the aftermath, particularly with the plans to repair Tropicana Field, which also took a hit during Hurricane Milton.

Interestingly, the city had earlier made the decision to cut back on insurance coverage for the stadium, lowering the cap from $100 million to just $25 million for flood and wind damage. This move was made to save $275,000 each year, based on forecasts suggetsing that storms wouldn’t cause major devastation. Now, city leaders might find themselves facing repair costs that are far higher than they ever predicted.

Residents Seek Support at New Insurance Village

To aid the worried residents feeling lost in the maze of red tape, the City of St. Petersburg has opened a mini insurance village at the Shore Acres Recreation Center. This initiative is aimed at helping those affected by the hurricanes file claims and navigate their insurance issues more easily.

Residents who wish to utilize this helpful resource are advised to bring important documents like IDs and details about their insurance policies when they visit. Information sessions pertaining to FEMA funding options are also being held. Homeowners are strongly encouraged to file appeals within just 60 days of receiving any denial letters from their insurers, as this could open doors to much-needed federal assistance.

Local Regulations and Fast-Track Permits

Notably, the local regulations differ from FEMA’s rules, particularly regarding what constitutes substantial damage—set at a threshold of 49%. To help speed up the rebuilding efforts, the city has decided to allow permits to be issued without the need for prior inspections.

With both the city and residents rallying to recover from the aftermath of this storm, it’s clear that a long road lies ahead. Yet, through community support and a focus on rebuilding, St. Petersburg is determined to mend what was broken and reclaim its vibrant spirit.