Homeowners Insurance
Preparing for Hurricane Season
Three major hurricanes struck the United States last year, and forecasters say 2018 could be another above-average season. In fact, Colorado State University recently released a preliminary seasonal forecast that predicts 14 named storms this year, including (once again) three major hurricanes. (Hurricane season officially begins June 1 and ends November 30.) With a… Read More »
Suing for Property Damage
Negligent actions don’t always involve physical injuries. Sometimes the damage is solely to real or personal property. Property damage does not have to be accompanied by physical injury in order for you to bring a lawsuit for negligence. Lawsuit Filed After Valet Gives Keys to Wrong Person In July 2017, a man entrusted his… Read More »
Homeowner’s Insurance Policies Available in Florida
This has been an active hurricane season so far. Puerto Rico and Texas were ravaged by Hurricanes Maria and Harvey. And in Florida, hundreds of thousands of property owners have filed insurance claims for damage caused by Hurricane Irma. Claimed losses are estimated at more than $4.5 billion, according to the Florida Office of… Read More »
Assigning Your Insurance Benefits
Floridians whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Irma or other tropical storm or hurricane activity are eager to repair their properties. But some insurers are worried that homeowners looking for quick and easy repairs might be vulnerable to assignment of benefits abuse. They urge homeowners to proceed with caution in assigning their insurance benefits…. Read More »
Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Homeowners’ Insurance Law
Florida insurance law is complex. But understanding your rights and responsibilities as a Florida homeowner is extremely important. Here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions about Florida homeowners’ insurance law. Q: Will my insurance company reimburse me for the actual value of my property before the damage occurred? A: No. Florida… Read More »
Insurance Company Disputes Effective Date of Flood Insurance Policy
Almost 500,000 insurance claims have been filed in Florida because of Hurricane Irma, and only 17 percent of those claims have been closed, according to recent figures from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. Standard homeowner’s insurance policies don’t cover flood damage. In fact, if you were in Irma’s path, you might have sustained… Read More »
Emergency Order Temporarily Bars Property Insurance Rate Increases, Cancellations
Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier recently signed an emergency order temporarily barring property insurance policy cancellations and rate increases. Specifically, companies may not raise rates until December 3 or cancel policies between September 4 and October 15 (this includes policy nonrenewals). The commissioner did this because Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency… Read More »
Wind Damage from Tropical Storms and Hurricanes, and Insurance Claim Denials
Tropical Storm Emily hit with almost no warning. Generally, tropical storms and hurricanes form far enough out that Florida residents have enough time to prepare for the rain and wind. But Emily formed overnight in late July and made landfall in Southwest Florida the next morning. Forecasters from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration… Read More »
Understanding Flood and Hurricane Insurance, and Knowing Why You Need It
When your homeowner’s insurance plan states that it covers “water damage,” you assume that means water damage by any number of sources, such as a broken washing machine, a burst pipe, a leaking roof, or a sudden flood. However, when you go to file a claim for water damages caused by this spring’s flash… Read More »
Hillsborough County Sinkhole Leads to Home Evacuations
A widening sinkhole in Seffner, Florida led to the evacuation of four homes. According to Fox 13, the sinkhole grew to become 27 feet in depth and 22 feet wide. Unfortunately for the homeowners, because the sinkhole is located on private land, the city will do nothing to fill the hole. Unless the homeowners… Read More »
