ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Over 100 days after Hurricane Ian destroyed the interior of Tod Trousdell's home, nails and dust still litter the torn-up floor.
"We had some little kids here over the holidays for just a few hours and one of them was wearing sandals and she hit an exposed nail and cut her foot." Trousdell said.
Trousdell's claim has been hung up by a missing document described by his insurance agency, Herbie Wiles Insurance, as an itemization of prior losses under previous homeowners.
Herbie Wiles Insurance, who sold Trousdell coverage through Assurant, said the insurance carrier was able to locate the missing document.
“As a follow up to our conversation last week, we have been waiting for our new flood vendor to upload the prior loss documents to our new flood system. Today I finally heard from the adjuster that handled the 2017 claim and got a copy of the report. This was then provided to the manager for the adjuster handling the 2022 claim for review. I asked the manager to expedite the review. Once we have confirmation that the prior damages were repaired, we can move forward and issue the advance payment and the adjuster can finalize his estimate.” an Assurant representative said to Herbie Wiles Insurance over email.
Since Hurricane Ian flood water tore through Trousdell's home, he's spent up to $30,000. He voiced his frustrations with the process Monday before Assurant's statement to Herbie Wiles Insurance.
"We've had everything estimates photos everything and it's like I'm just a regular guy who wants be made whole for what I bought." Trousdell said.
"It's been extremely frustrating to get answers from anybody about this." Trousdell said.
Trousdell's public adjuster, Laura Keith, who helped him submit his claim says it's rare to see an insurance hang-up like this and added this is a pretty standard document.
First Coast News has reached out to a representative at Assurant but has not heard back.