TALLAHASSEE, FL – Civil Rights attorney Daryl Parks released the following statement calling on Corey Simon to request a special legislative session from Governor Ron DeSantis to address hurricane recovery needs for families and small businesses devastated by hurricane Helene and those still struggling to get claims paid from hurricanes Debby and Idalia. 

Parks’ call for an immediate special legislative session comes as thousands of North Florida families and small businesses and many more along the central Gulf Coast deal with the devastating impact from hurricane Helene. Many homeowners and businesses could not afford the outrageous insurance rates charged by carriers and others will face tremendous challenges and delays from insurance companies for claims needed to rebuild. Homeowners and businesses are still struggling to have their claims processed from losses suffered during hurricanes Debby and Idalia. 

According to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, 30,923 residential property claims have been filed as a result of hurricanes Debby and Idalia. Of those claims, a majority – 56 percent – of claims have not received payment. More than 24,000 residential property claims have been filed as a result of Hurricane Helene. Currently, 84 percent of closed residential property claims as a result of Hurricane Helene have been closed without payment. 

Recently, national coverage from CBS’ 60 minutes found examples of fraud and abuse by insurance companies cheating Florida families whose lives were devastated during recent storms. 60 minutes found several Florida homeowners received far less for their claims then they were entitled to because damage reports had been materially altered.   

In calling for a hurricane recovery special legislative session to address urgent recovery needs, Parks said the following:

“Hurricane Helene has brought another devastating blow to communities throughout North Florida. Right now, in addition to property damage and temporary loss of power, unfortunately, dozens of lives have tragically been lost. The road ahead will be difficult. 

“And, sadly we know that the road ahead will be made that much harder by the stranglehold the insurance industry has on the State Capitol. These folks have bought our representative’s silence. They continue to defraud and gouge Floridiansas many suffer through tragedy, which is only made worse by insurance companies fraudulent actions  

“The leadership in Tallahassee isn’t showing up. We have representatives who won’t speak up the way we need them to because they have taken so much money from the same insurance companies hurting the people. Many homeowners and businesses cannot afford the outrageous insurance rates or unnecessary delays in processing claims.

“We know this is the truth because we have families and businesses that still have not gotten their claims paid from hurricanes Debby and Idalia. And, now we’re adding to that backlog with Hurricane Helene.

“This urgency is real. People’s pain is real. The suffering we all see is real. But, our ability to also address this crisis with the urgency it deserves is also real. We need leadership with the courage to act now. We need to remove the obstacles in the way of everyday people throughout our communities getting the help they need. There is no reason for the additional suffering. And, no need to delay the help these communities deserve.

“That’s why I’m calling on Corey Simon to do his job and immediately request Governor DeSantis call a special legislative session. The insurance industry and their allies need to be put on notice that in the midst of a tragedy, things can’t be business as usual. They have to either help the people rebuild or get out of the way. And, all those representatives who have been silenced by the industry’s campaign contributions – it’s time to finally get on the right side and bring an end to this suffering.”

Parks has consistently criticized the insurance companies defrauding and gouging Floridians – with the help and support of legislators like Simon. Simon has taken thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from insurance companies and their allies, raising questions as to whether or not he can be the independent voice needed in a time of crisis.

Media interested in interviewing Parks should email press@darylforflorida.com. 

Parks has been a community leader, advocate, and outspoken voice for change for nearly 30 years. As a State Senator, Parks will prioritize fighting to lower costs for hardworking families, expanding access to quality affordable healthcare, ensuring women can make their own healthcare decisions and reversing the impacts of extreme policies supported by Simon that have prioritized culture wars ahead of the everyday needs and rising costs that are squeezing working families.

Learn more about Daryl Parks and his campaign at DarylForFlorida.com.