Before, During and After A Storm: Why Homeowners Insurance is so Important.
As homeowners, we invest significant time and resources into creating a safe and comfortable space for ourselves and our loved ones. However, unforeseen natural disasters such as hurricanes can wreak havoc on our homes, leaving us vulnerable to immense financial loss. That’s where home insurance comes to the rescue. In this blog post, we will explore the critical role of home insurance both before and after a hurricane, highlighting the importance of having adequate coverage to protect our homes and belongings.
Property Insurance Litigation: “Crisis” or Crying Wolf?
Property insurance rates are skyrocketing across Florida. There is no doubt a crisis in rising rates, but our legislature has blamed litigation for it. Governor Ron DeSantis passed Senate Bill 2A on December 16, 2022, which eliminated the right to attorney fees in residential and commercial property damage lawsuits. Now homeowners have to pay their own attorney fees. The big bad insurance companies ironically cried wolf, and it left policyholders stranded.
My Claim was underpaid and is Now Limiting the Scope of Appraisal. What does this mean?
Many homeowners are guilty of the same thing- they have never read or understood their homeowner insurance policy. Buried towards the end of the policy is oftentimes an appraisal provision. We will review appraisal provisions in property insurance policies in Florida, exploring their purpose, process, and potential benefits for policyholders.
Effects of Modifying Your Property with a Pending Homeowner’s Insurance Claim
Did you know that making repairs to your property with a pending claim can have a potentially drastic effect on your claim or case if the necessary steps are not taken? Many homeowners in Florida who have an open claim have experienced how it may take several months, sometimes years, to resolve. Thus, it is common for homeowners to want to make either temporary repairs, or even replace their roof entirely out of pocket, and seek reimbursement while the case progresses. This can act
What is a Pre-Settlement Build and Why is it Important?
Delay is one of the many tactics employed by insurance carriers when it comes to the adjustment or litigation of an insurance claim. Delaying the payment of insurance benefits owed to a homeowner can go beyond simple annoyance but it can cause great financial harm as well. Countless homeowners are put in the tricky situation of having a pending claim, being denied their insurance benefits owed to them, and needing new coverage for their home. Carriers put their insureds between the proverbial rock and a hard place leaving their customers with very little options to proceed forward with their claim.
What Does Passing Senate Bill 2-A Mean for You?
With the passing of Senate Bill No. 2-A, approved by Governor DeSantis on December 16, 2022, the landscape of Florida’s home insurance industry moving forward has changed overnight. This means that many homeowners are now left wondering what the various changes mean for them as policyholders and for their premiums. The bill is a mixed bag of both positive and negative aspects for a homeowner, and in most cases the nuances would likely be better left for an in-depth conversation with an attorney who can tailor the conversation to your specific situation.
The Calm Before the Storm
Having home insurance in Florida is an absolute necessity. Large wind and hailstorms damaging properties across Florida is nothing new. Unfortunately, insurance companies do not always afford coverage – even when there is damage. Here are some tips and recommendations that you can do before the damage occurs that should ease your property damage claims process.
Funding is Here to Protect Your Home from Storms!
The State of Florida has launched a program called My Safe Florida Home to help certain homeowners perform wind-mitigation efforts on their properties. These wind-mitigation efforts may fortify homes from hurricanes and offer discounts on property insurance premiums.
How Long Is My Case Going to Take?
This is a question we are often asked and a very reasonable one given why you have come to us. More likely than not, you have hired our office because you have damage to your home and you want to know if your insurance benefits will assist you in repairing it. Not only that, you sometimes have to look at the damage or experience the effects of the damage every day, all while it seems like the insurance company is taking their time. You might find yourself saying the following things “it is taking too long?” or “is this ever going to end?” The answer to the second question is “yes!” Once you hire us and if your case gets into litigation (note, some cases reso
The Importance of Getting an Inspection Done After a Hurricane as a Property Owner
Hurricane Ian recently touched down here in Florida and in its wake left damage throughout the state. Most people tend to think they only have hurricane damage if there are broken tiles or shingles from a roof found on the ground and/or leaking in the interior of a property. However, after a hurricane, damage is not always readily apparent to a property, especially to the roof. This is why as a property owner, after a hurricane has made landfall where you live, you should get an inspection done by a reputable roofing company.