Florida storm victim: Dealing with insurance is ‘full-time job’

Florida homeowners face insurance delay after Helene, Milton
DeSantis cautions that debris removal could take up to a year
Hurricane Helene death toll has climbed to more than 240

Updated: Oct 15, 2024 / 11:43 PM CDT

(NewsNation) — Bridgette Bello says that working with hurricane insurance companies is like “working a second full-time job.”

Bello’s home was hit by both hurricanes Helene and Milton.

“Everyone that has helped us helped us regardless of their political affiliation,” Bello said during a Tuesday appearance on NewsNation’s “CUOMO.” “But it’s been a wild ride, and so far there’s been no payoff.”

DeSantis has cautioned that debris removal from Helene and Milton could take up to a year, even as Florida shifts nearly 3,000 workers to the cleanup. The federal government has approved 100% federal reimbursement for those efforts for 90 days.

Including damage done by Helene in other states, Moody’s estimates that combined privately insured losses for the two storms range from $35 billion to $55 billion. That’s only insured loss, and doesn’t include the federal flood insurance program.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.