NAPLES, Fla. — Florida’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis is cracking down on insurance fraud in an effort to protect Floridians.
Patronis recently announced the arrest of Brian Webb and Brandon Jourdan of Webb Roofing & Construction LLC for allegedly operating a homeowner solicitation scheme for free roof replacements related to damage allegedly caused by Hurricane Irma.
“There is no room for roofers that take advantage of Florida homeowners. If someone commits insurance fraud in Florida, they will be caught and they will pay the price,” Patronis said.
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An investigation by the CFO’s Division of Investigative and Forensic Services, Bureau of Insurance Fraud revealed that Webb and Jourdan instructed their employees to solicit insured homeowners with a promise that they can get them a new roof without paying the required homeowners deductible.
The scheme involved allegedly enticing homeowners with rebates to cover their insurance deductible if they submitted a full roof replacement claim to their property insurance company.
The scheme involved employees allegedly enticing homeowners into submitting claims for their “damaged” roofs for full roof replacements.
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According to a release from the CFO’s office, the salespeople would then have the homeowner sign over their insurance claim rights and have them sign an “advertising agreement” in exchange for waving their deductible.
Webb Roofing would then “rebate” or “credit” the amount of the deductible toward the cost of the claim, which is illegal under Florida law.
“Scam roofing schemes are driving up insurance rates for every Florida family and plaguing our state. There is no such thing as a free roof and if someone comes to your door offering rebates or kickbacks to file a roof claim on your behalf, report them to my office for fraud immediately. My fraud detectives are working every day to track down these bad actors and hold them accountable. Always remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it is. Never sign anything regarding your insurance without talking to your agent or calling my office first,” Patronis said.
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Brian Webb and Brandon Jourdan were booked into Collier and Lee County Jail on nine counts of filing false and fraudulent insurance claims, a third-degree felony.
Both have been released on bond.
According to CFO’s office, if convicted on all charges, they each face a maximum sentence of up to a $45,000 fine and up to 45 years in prison.
To report suspected fraud, call the department’s toll-free Fraud Tip Hotline at 1-800-378-0445 or visit FraudFreeFlorida.com.
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