Florida Homeowners Left Stunned by Altered Insurance Reports After Hurricane Ian

In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, which caused an estimated $113 billion in damage in 2022, many Florida homeowners were stunned by the insurance payouts they received—far less than the cost to repair their devastated homes. One such homeowner, Jeff Rapkin, initially believed his house would need a complete rebuild after the storm. However, his insurance company, Heritage Property and Casualty, offered him just $15,000, a fraction of the $231,000 the adjuster had assessed.

The adjuster, Jordan Lee, later discovered that his original damage reports, along with dozens of others, had been materially altered by desk adjusters working for third-party firms hired by insurance companies. These alterations drastically reduced repair estimates, leading to significantly lower payouts. Lee’s experience is not unique. He and other whistleblowers testified before Florida lawmakers, claiming that multiple insurance carriers systematically altered damage reports to minimize payments to policyholders.

This alleged scheme has left about 50,000 homeowners still struggling to repair or rebuild their homes. The Rapkins, who filed a lawsuit against Heritage for breach of contract and fraud, continue to live in limbo, paying both rent and an increased insurance premium for their unrepaired, mold-infested home. Despite the evidence brought forward by whistleblowers, Florida’s criminal investigation into insurer fraud has yet to result in any arrests. Calls for greater transparency and accountability in the claims process are growing, as homeowners continue to face mounting financial burdens while waiting for justice.