Citizens Property Insurance helping Fort Myers Beach residents file claims

Reporter: Andryanna Sheppard Writer: Paul Dolan
Published:
Hurricane Ian
Fort Myers Beach damaged by Hurricane Ian. (Credit: USAA)

Citizens Property Insurance opened a satellite location on Fort Myers Beach to bring insurance help right to people who are in a tough spot.

In the middle of all the destruction, they’re nestled in the shade under the Bayfront Bistro and behind Publix.

But, they’re gone in a couple of hours because not many people stopped by. Although, the few people that did show up were extremely thankful they did.

While Fort Myers Beach remains unrecognizable with scattered flooded cars, and piles of debris that used to be thriving hotels, businesses, and homes.

Al Sckoropad, a Fort Myers Beach resident, said to WINK News, that compared to most of the island, his home might be okay but he’s not sure if they’ll have to tear it down.

“It’s a little tough because you work all your life to get that little comfort and so it’s gone for a certain period of time,” Sckoropad said. “And the challenge is now what do we do? How do we put our foot forward to rebuild.”

Sckoropad decided to rent an apartment for a year and stopped by the Citizens Insurance set up for Fort Myers Beach residents.

“We can right advance living checks that’s part of your claim,” Sckoropad said. “We can take a claim. We can give you a claim status so we’re just kinda here to do what you can.”

Sckoropad was able to walk away from the Citizens Insurance table with a check, but that might not be enough for the position he’s in.

“I think it’s already burned well we have to pay for the apartment and stuff and it goes fast,” Sckoropad said. “I need to buy appliances, I need to buy furniture or rent because we have a rental that is not furnished.”

Sckoropad has a lot of hope in the future and can’t wait to see the island he retired on come back even better than it was before.

“I’m getting a little emotional here but that is our strength but we will make it with our friends and all the love we are getting,” Sckoropad said.

Citizens claims experts will only be at the table set up on Fort Myers Beach until 5 p.m. on Friday.

But anybody can also find them at the Lakes Regional Library in Fort Myers and the Port Charlotte Towns Center every day until 6 p.m.

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