Florida leaders warn Panhandle residents about insurance scams after Hurricane Isaias

As residents in Florida’s Panhandle prepare to file insurance claims following Hurricane Isaias, state leaders are warning homeowners to watch out for scammers looking to take advantage of storm damage.Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia is urging residents to be cautious and avoid insurance fraud as they begin the claims process.Ingoglia issued a strong warning to anyone considering scamming Floridians.“Don’t do it. Your butt is going to be in jail. Do not do it. Do not think about scamming our Floridians,” Ingoglia said.State officials say filing an insurance claim can also be an important step for residents who experience a dispute with their insurance company.To help handle the expected claims, the state says it has contacted 60 insurance companies and asked them to have people on standby, ready to assist policyholders.Officials are encouraging residents to navigate the recovery process carefully, file legitimate claims and remain alert to potential scams as communities