Insurer drops Duval family just days before Ian’s arrival

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Imagine working for months to get your home covered, and then just days before a hurricane hits, you find out your insurance company has canceled your policy.

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That’s exactly what happened to one Duval family.

Jennifer Cowart’s broker switched her home insurance company back in May after her previous insurer took her plan off the market.

Then began a monthslong back-and-forth over the remaining lifespan of her roof.

“We believed at that time everything is fine. We had an inspection, we have a certificate, the roof is good for another 10 years,” said Cowart.

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As she watched the track of then-tropical storm Ian inch closer to Jacksonville Monday, she got a call.

“Our broker called us and said they dropped you on Friday,” said Cowart.

Jennifer said thankfully, her family is in a good financial position to weather the storm, but she knows for many Floridians stuck in her same situation, that’s not the case.

“I feel that’s a job for the Legislature and the governor to step in and stabilize that market. I thought that’s what they were trying to do with the special session, and it’s not helping clearly if an insurance company feels totally fine cancelling someone’s policy the week of a hurricane,” said Cowart.

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We reached out to Florida’s chief financial offer about Cowart’s case.

His office recommended calling the consumer helpline at 877-MY-FL-CFO (877-693-5236).

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Jennifer told us that will be her next step.