Peter Schorsch
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation advised its policyholders Wednesday to update their policy information ahead of Hurricane Matthew, which is expected to pass along Florida’s east coast Thursday through Saturday.
“Policyholders need to remember that their personal safety is the highest priority,” said Barry Gilway, Citizens president, CEO, and executive director. “Take precautions and follow instructions of local emergency management agencies. Citizens is ready to help you recover.”
The state-backed insurer advised policyholders to make sure their contact and mortgage company information is up-to-date on the Citizens’ website, and to secure important documents such as health records and insurance policies in a safe, waterproof location.
“In the decade since Florida last suffered a severe storm, Citizens has made significant investments in its response capabilities to better serve our policyholders when they need us most,” said Chris Gardner, chairman of Citizens’ board of governors. “Citizens has never been better prepared to handle a storm.”
Citizens also recommended Floridians pack a basic disaster supplies kit containing nonperishable food, a flashlight with extra batteries, a first aid kit, and a minimum of one gallon of water per person, per day for at least three days.
Matthew is currently a Category 3 storm, with top sustained winds of 120 mph. The center of the storm is projected to track 50 miles off the Florida coast beginning early Thursday, with many coastal communities receiving hurricane-force winds along with several inches of rainfall.
