Darryl Willis, vice president of resources for BP, sought to assure Gov. Charlie Crist's Gulf Oil Spill Economic Recovery Task Force on Wednesday that his company is committed to improving its claims process.
That, in spite of a series of complaints from businesses waiting for money from BP -- perhaps the most anxious of which came from The Resort Collection of Panama City Beach. That business has been pursuing a claim for $42,500 for most of the month.
Since applying for a claim June 4 for May's economic losses from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the company has been hassled and shuffled through BPs claims divisions. And now, 19 days later, Chief Financial Officer Keith Wilt is frustrated that he's still waiting for movement on the money.
Willis -- the face of BP in television commercials pledging the company will "make good" what it has done -- said he is convinced the process will get better. Help is on the way, in the form of the new, independently managed claims facility that will support the company's $20 billion national escrow account. The facility will offer a separate, streamlined process that should lead to smooth delivery of claims, he said.
Willis said attorney Kenneth Feinberg, whom President Barack Obama appointed to oversee the escrow fund, has been talking to him about the claims process, and he's been encouraged.
Nevertheless, members of the working group and business leaders told BP Willis that BP is taking too long to fill loss claims filed by large businesses.
Jeff Taggart, owner of Pensacola Beach Marina, said he has received two BP claim checks for $5,000 each, but its only a small portion of a claim filed for tens of thousands of dollars.We need to put the large-loss section under somebody else, he said.
BP has received almost 18,700 claims in Florida and paid out almost $17 million, but it has paid $123 million in claims throughout the Gulf. It initially gave priority to small businesses, capping initial claims checks at $5,000 each. It has now moved onto large-business checks, which it issues from a large-business claims office in Louisiana. But state business owners said its taking too long to satisfy their claims. So far, some have received only interim payments.
Wilt, the CFO for the Resort Collection, said that his company wants its claim addressed by a local, Panama City-area adjuster, instead of large-business claims adjusters in Louisiana. The $42,500 his company is still awaiting from BP comprises more than $30,000 in canceled or lost room and dining reservations and $12,000 in marketing.Wilt said hes extremely concerned about losses for June and July, the peak months for the business.
Jennifer Ellison, an attorney and wife of a commercial fisherman in the Big Bend region, said that thedocuments needed for the claims process are unnecessary and burdensome for fishermen. Her husband, who specializes in catching grouper, already keeps records of the type and species of fish he pulls in; his costs, profits and budget.
I think an education process for the actual adjusters is necessary, she said
Bob Zales, president of the National Association of Charter Boat Operators, said his claims had come through quickly, but charter and commercial fishermen needed to be given more involvement in the claims and oil-spill response efforts.
Charter boats and professional fishermen should be given priority to become paid "Vessels of Opportunity" that aid in cleanup efforts. But anyone with a license is being given the chance, Zales complained The Charter Boat Association has access to a database of charter boats licensed in Florida, and BP should take advantage of it, he said.
You need to hear from us, he said. You need to hear from the leaders of the industry.
Carol Dover, president and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, said she would like to see BP issue hotel-room vouchers and gas cards to spur on the hospitality industry. Willis said he thought it was a good suggestion.
The working group is expected to offer recommendations to the task force when it meets June 30.
Reach Alex Tiegen at (561) 329-5389 or atiegen@sunshinestatenews.com.
