Now that Hurricane Dorian has come and gone, it’s a good time to make preparations in case there is another storm looming in the tropics. Being prepared can make a world of difference when you’re scrambling to take care of any damage caused by a storm. One thing you can start doing right now is…Continued
Hurricane Dorian managed to steer mostly clear of South Florida, sparing it from some potentially catastrophic damage. However, hurricane season isn’t officially over until the end of November. In the event a hurricane does pay a visit to South Florida, would you know what steps to take to file an insurance claim? One of…Continued
The roof is a major part of your home’s infrastructure, and it factors heavily in how the home will survive a major storm or how hot it may become during the warmer seasons. This only reinforces how important it is to carefully consider whether it should simply be repaired or if it needs to be…Continued
The latest updates on Hurricane Dorian suggest the storm may turn into a category three before it makes landfall in Florida. If you haven’t already done so, time is running out to prepare for the storm as stores in South Florida are quickly running out of supplies like bottled water, and lines become endlessly long.…Continued
Mother Nature has remained mostly dormant when it comes to sending hurricanes towards South Florida, and hopefully, it will stay that way. Besides having your emergency preparedness kit ready in the event a major storm hits, it’s also important to think about the four-legged members of the family. When it comes to priority, pets, unfortunately,…Continued
As hurricane season continues, chances are you’ll be using your phone as a means of staying connected in the event a storm does indeed wreak havoc and cause power outages. Just like any other electronic device, even your phone will eventually require power to charge its battery. How do you maximize the battery usage to…Continued
We’ve talked a lot about the steps to take prior to the arrival of a hurricane, but what should you do if it does hit? Do you know how to protect yourself and your family during and after the major storm has passed? Let’s examine a few tips. During a hurricane, you want to make…Continued
It’s August and so far, South Florida has managed to dodge any major storms like a hurricane. However, smaller storms have been occurring on an almost daily basis, which means homes are still susceptible to damage albeit at a smaller degree. As a homeowner, would you know how to proceed if something were to happen?…Continued
Have you put together your hurricane preparedness kit yet? We previously mentioned the importance of having things like cash on hand in the event you need money and are unable to use an ATM due to a lack of electricity. Your family is just as important. Let’s say you live with an elderly individual. Depending…Continued
Citizens Property Insurance Corp. policyholders living in Palm Beach and Broward County won’t be seeing any reductions when it comes to their insurance rate. The last resort insurer recently received the OK from Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation to raise rates for the thousands of customers with a multiperil residential policy. These rates will be…Continued
With Barry officially being named a tropical storm, it’s worth keeping in mind the damage a storm can cost. While lives are the priority, it’s also important to take into account your property. Do you know what a standard policy does and doesn’t cover? A standard homeowners policy will protect four primary things: your dwelling…Continued
The month of July begins next week and there are several laws that will be going into effect, many of them related to insurance. Perhaps the most notable of these is HB 7065 which will focus on overhauling assignment of benefits (AOB). Among the provisions expected in HB 7065, it will limit one-way attorney’s fees…Continued
South Florida homeowners insured with Citizens Property Insurance are receiving some welcome news after the insurer announced it will be re-evaluating its decision to hike rates as it originally intended. Instead of raising rates by just over eight percent, the last-resort insurer will now be scaling back by raising residential premiums by 4.7 percent. Over…Continued
Now that hurricane season is here, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer is looking to assist Floridians with taking the important and necessary steps to prepare their home as well as their finances should a disaster occur. Appropriately dubbed Prepare Florida, the initiative includes a breadth of resources and information for homeowners regarding all things related to…Continued
Hurricane season is here and although forecasters appear to be suggesting a slightly below average season, history has shown that just one storm regardless of the category can result in millions of dollars in damage. Now is the time to start making preparations while Mother Nature remains calm. One easy way to start preparing…Continued
When most people think of a meteorologist, they think of the people frequently seen on newscasts. These are the people that can tell you what kind of weather to expect and when this weather will occur. And then there are forensic meteorologists, which do everything a regular meteorologist does but they also have the experience…Continued
In our previous blog, we mentioned the monumental Florida insurance reform bill which is expected to address the ongoing issue of assignment of benefits (AOB). The bill was recently passed by the Florida Senate and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has already expressed that he intends to support and sign the bill, further clearing the way…Continued
A pair of homeowners lost their jury award when the jury found that the homeowners made misrepresentations regarding an insurance claim, resulting in the insurance policy being voided. Back in 2009, the homeowners were dealing with issues regarding their kitchen drain. A plumber came to the home and took care of the drain line but…Continued
Earlier this month, a Florida federal district court made it clear that insureds pursuing a lawsuit under a standard flood insurance policy (SFIP) that was issued via the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are not entitled to receive attorneys’ fees based on Florida law or interest on their claim, nor are they entitled to a…Continued
Today is the day. The Florida House will likely give the OK to a bill that would overhaul the insurance practice commonly known “assignment of benefits” (AOB). Known as HB 7095, the House began evaluating the bill yesterday, positioning it for a potential vote. AOB has remained a hotly debated and much-discussed topic during…Continued
Last month, a Florida court ruled that a homeowner whose property was damaged by Hurricane Irma would not be able to file suit against the insurance company where the mortgagee was the name listed under the policy as the insured and the homeowner was listed as the borrower. The homeowner sued his insurance…Continued
Hurricane season begins in less than two months which reinforces the importance of knowing what to do in the event a major storm strikes South Florida. As opposed to explaining what steps homeowners should take, let’s explore some that should not be taken. Don’t wait. When a major storm damages multiple homes, you can expect…Continued
A pair of unrelated bills that would affect assignment of benefits (AOB) processes for when property owners have to file a claim with their insurance company is receiving opposition from a Florida association. The group believes that SB 122 and HB 7065 do not adequately meet the needs of homeowners or contractors. Both…Continued
A news story was recently televised on WFLA News Channel 8 presenting some potentially alarming developments regarding insurance. Florida legislators may be paying closer attention to lawyers representing insurance companies, citing House Bill 751 and Senate Bill 1464. These bills appear to include language that would make it harder for policyholders to take action against…Continued
When Hurricane Michael caused significant damage to the Florida Panhandle last year, many homeowners received the unwelcome surprise that their insurance policy did not cover flood damage. To address this, a bill was introduced mandating that all new homeowners insurance policies must make it clear if they do not provide flood damage. The bill went…Continued
New homeowners that have a mortgage on their home must also have a homeowners insurance policy in place to protect their investment. For many homeowners that have paid off their mortgage, however, they are choosing not to continue with their insurance coverage, according to an NBC 6 Miami news story published last month. This can…Continued
More than two months into 2019 and the ramifications of Hurricane Irma are still being felt. The Sun-Sentinel is reporting that homeowners across South Florida may be in for insurance rate increases due to “creeping” loss increases as a result of the 2017 storm. According to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, estimated insured losses…Continued
Purchasing a new homeowners insurance policy can turn into a Herculean effort. For many households, an inspection may be required, though these may vary among insurance companies. Additionally, there are various inspectors to choose from, further complicating the process. Depending on which insurance company you ultimately go with, the following are a few examples of…Continued
The subtropical depression Alberto that affected Florida this past Memorial Day weekend only serves to reinforce how important it is to take the time and ensure that your insurance policy reflects your needs and that it provides sufficient coverage for you and your family. . As the value of a property fluctuates, it’s important…Continued
Several groups including Florida lawmakers and the state’s Chamber of Commerce allege that a loophole in state law may be causing insurance bills to skyrocket, and it has a lot to do with the assignment of benefits (AOB). According to these groups which also include consumer watchdogs, homeowners often fail to fully comprehend what they’re…Continued
In case you missed the news, Citizens Property Insurance Corp. made headlines late last month when it announced its intentions to raise residential insurance rates by just over eight percent beginning in September. While its Board of Governors were not pleased with having to bump up rates, the blame for the rate hikes was placed…Continued
The government shutdown is leading to a host of problems. For one, numerous government employees are going without pay. Countless other federal services have also been put on something of an indefinite hiatus until the shutdown is resolved. In regards to insurance, this may also affect people that are seeking flood insurance. Before we elaborate,…Continued
It’s 2019 and efforts to tackle Florida’s assignment of benefits (AOB) issue continue. In a recent move, a new Senate Bill 122 has been proposed with the goal of overhauling the one-way attorney fee provision in the state’s current AOB law. With this bill, attorney fees would only be awarded to the policyholders that win…Continued
As a homeowner, there are aspects of having insurance that may remain mystifying. This may include understanding the policy terms and perhaps most notably, figuring out why it is that your policy becomes costlier each year. These increases often happen even if you’ve never once had to make an insurance claim. Why is that? The…Continued
Last month, the owner of a Florida-based roofing company was arrested after several homeowners were allegedly defrauded out of more than $45,000, according to an Insurance Journal article. Additionally, the roofing company was alleged to have worked without workers compensation insurance. It is alleged that the roofing company owner defrauded about six homeowners after requiring…Continued
Are you among the millions of households that are currently renting a Miami home or apartment? If you’re planning to rent in 2019, you may find that the home you’re staying in will require you to have renters insurance. Having a degree of understanding of what this insurance is all about can save you from…Continued
Some bad news for Citizens Insurance policyholders as we approach the beginning of 2019. Earlier this month, the last resort insurer decided to raise its residential insurance rates by just over eight percent. Policyholders can find some degree of relief in knowing that the rate hikes will not kick in until the fall season in…Continued
The holiday season is in full swing and December is here, which means countless homeowners will be putting up decorations to celebrate the holiday season. While all of the lights and decorations certainly look festive, they can also pose a safety risk and may cause thousands of dollars in damages. Use these tips so you…Continued
In the event of a natural disaster it’s important to take care of yourself and all your personal data. Your own life is priority over anything else, then you should worry about all your data and anything you want to protect. Having all your information, photographs, and other documents ready will make your transition into…Continued
South Florida was thankfully spared the wrath of Hurricane Michael. The Florida Panhandle, on the other hand, wasn’t so lucky. While we were spared over here, it’s worth remembering the steps homeowners should and should not take in the event a major storm does wreak havoc like Irma did last year. Keep your damaged items.…Continued
A little over a month has passed since Hurricane Michael rampaged through the Florida Panhandle as a powerful Category 4 storm. A month since causing its extensive damage, Florida is still dealing with a rise in losses as recovery efforts continue. Hurricane Michael is the most powerful storm of its kind to ever hit the…Continued
In a perfect world, a meeting from an insurance adjuster is one that most homeowners would look forward to. But with so many adjusters attempting to reduce what the insurance company has to pay out, it’s understandable if the homeowner feels nervous. While not all adjusters are bad, they have a job to do and…Continued
With billions of dollars in insurance claims being reported and even more coming in due to Hurricane Michael, are Florida homeowners facing rate hikes? According to a WTVT FOX 13 article, the jury is out on whether this will happen. Even though there are fewer than two months remaining before we welcome 2019, there are…Continued
In most cases, an insurance company will require homeowners to submit a form called Proof of Loss should their home sustain damages. This document is typically one page and it requests certain information from the policyholder such as the time and date the loss occurred, what kind of loss the policyholder is claiming, and the…Continued
As the Florida Panhandle continues with its recovery efforts following the effects of Hurricane Michael, state officials are reminding homeowners the importance of making sure they hire only contractors that are licensed to take care of any roof repairs or replacement that may be necessary. During such times, it is not uncommon for scammers and…Continued
The aftermath of Hurricane Michael and its rampage through the Florida Panhandle reinforces just how damaging a major storm can be and how important it is to take preventative measures. Thankfully, a storm like last year’s Hurricane Irma did not pass through South Florida, yet homeowners should be aware of items that deserve their attention,…Continued
Panama City has remained one of Florida’s most popular vacation spots but after Hurricane Michael, it’s turned into something of an insurance fiasco. Hundreds of Panama City vacationers are seeking answers as they wait for their vacation or temporary homes to receive much-needed repairs. In one example, a longtime Panama City renter returned to her…Continued
Hurricane Michael has already left a trail of massive damage, especially in cities like Mexico Beach. With hurricane season still in full swing, homeowners should remember what to do in the event another storm decides to visit Florida. A “tip” that you may have read on the Internet is to use the dishwasher to safeguard…Continued
As we mentioned in a previous blog, hurricane season isn’t over until the end of next month, and the fact that Hurricane Michael is now a Category 2 storm on its way to Florida’s Gulf Coast serves as a reminder that hurricanes can still happen. While it’s too late to make any changes to an…Continued
In news that may come across as surprising, private market insurers are broadening the options available to homeowners in Florida, a strong indicator that the insurance market is in good shape. Nowadays, homeowners have a greater number of perks when it comes to coverage such as optional coverage for high-end items, bundling homeowner and flood…Continued
Last resort insurer Citizens Property Insurance has amassed close to $2 billion in losses due to the effects of Hurricane Irma, and it has handled well over 70,500 claims. Despite the large numbers and Irma losses, its Chief Financial Officer reassures that Citizens’ financial picture is “incredibly strong”. There’s still about two months before we…Continued
From strong winds, to floods and debris all over the place hurricanes are considered one of the most devastating natural disasters. So, how long do hurricanes last and how can you prepare for them? Lets begin with how they form. Hurricanes are cyclones that reach 39 to 73 mph from which they are considered tropical storms and they…Continued
As litigation continues regarding the assignment of benefits (AOB), insurers scored a win after Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal (DCA) ruled earlier this month that an insurer’s anti-assignment provision was not prohibited. Despite the ruling, the decision is expected to eventually escalate to the Florida Supreme Court. The DCA ruled that a homeowner’s insurance…Continued
While the Carolinas deal with the looming threat of Hurricane Florence, Florida is still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Irma a year after the storm caused billions of dollars worth of damage. Florida courts are still seeing an influx of lawsuits involving homeowners filing suit against their insurance company. In fact, over 2,000 lawsuits…Continued
A Florida Appeals Court recently made the news after allowing assignment of benefits (AOB) restrictions regarding homeowners insurance policies. The news comes as hurricane season has ramped up with the arrival of storms like Gordon and Florence. The case involved a pair of homeowners (husband and wife) who signed a contract with a water restoration…Continued
With Tropical Storm Gordon edging close to Florida, it is important to remember that a major storm can still make landfall, even if less than a month remains until the end of the summer season. For new homeowners that are evaluating purchasing a brand new homeowners insurance policy, it is also important to know that…Continued
The more you know about homeowner’s insurance and how it works, the better off you’ll be in the event your home suffers damage. If you’re considering homeowner’s insurance, there are a couple of things you should know so that you have a greater understanding and are better able to deal with your insurance company. For…Continued
There are people who rent apartments and others who own a house. One thing is for certain: whether it is renting an apartment or buying a house, each one is considered one’s home. There are plenty of things to consider when renting or buying; however, having your home insured is key in both scenarios. …Continued
After a storm, many homeowners with coverage find out the hard way that the amount of coverage is inadequate to cover the extent of damage. On the other hand, they may also learn that the damage is not enough to reach the deductible. Homeowners often fail to look over their policy to see what is…Continued
According to an article published earlier this week on the website Florida Record, a pair of homeowners based in Oakland Park have filed suit against an insurance company, alleging the insurance contract has been breached. Their complaint was filed last month and alleges that the insurer wrongfully refused to pay the covered losses to the…Continued
According to an analytics firm, about three of every five homes in the country do not have sufficient insurance coverage, in some cases as much as twenty percent less than the home’s value. Are you among these people? Would you have about $50,000 readily available to rebuild your home if it had a replacement hovering…Continued
An article published earlier this month on the website Florida Record discusses a pair of homeowners pursuing legal action against their insurance for allegedly breaching an insurance contract by failing to cover water damages. The home located in Clearwater had an existing homeowner’s insurance policy when it sustained water damage, which was considered a…Continued
Weather forecasters are predicting this hurricane season will be more active than usual. While we’re all hoping the season comes and goes without a major storm, it’s still important to plan ahead and be realistic about what could happen and what to do in the event a storm does hit. Know what steps to take…Continued
Citizens Property Insurance Corp. policyholders concerned about planned rate hike will have to wait a little longer after the insurer decided to hold off on determining its 2019 rates until December. If all goes according to plan, Citizens will implement an increase of 7.9 percent for all of its homeowner insurance policies across the state…Continued
It’s summertime, so we can expect two things: lots of construction, and lots of storms. Last year, Hurricane Irma rampaged through Miami and caused billions in damage. The construction from Irma is taking place almost everywhere. And with hurricane season on us again, we have to keep an eye out for more damaging hurricanes that…Continued
Sometimes, hurricane insurance doesn’t cover everything you need. If something exceeds your deductible, or you don’t have flood insurance, then you may end up paying a lot. But a new insurance product has appeared that will cover what traditional hurricane policies don’t. This new insurance product is called StormPeace, and it’s sold by a company…Continued
A Florida homeowner who was dealing with a sinkhole claim put his faith in his insurance company only to end up feeling as if the insurance company took advantage of him, according to a News Channel 8 article published last week. The claim was filed back in 2011 after the homeowner noticed his home was…Continued
Now that we’re in the outset of hurricane season, it is definitely worth noting a worrisome development in how storms travel. The pace at which they typically move is slowing to about ten percent, which creates more powerful and possibly deadly storms. Hurricane Harvey, which stalled over Texas last year, may not be an anomaly…Continued
Now that June is here, hurricane season is officially “in session”. If yesterday’s nasty storms in South Florida were any indication, it’s that Mother Nature is not a force to be taken lightly. Thunder and lightning are one thing but coupled with strong winds, they can do some serious damage. Even with that in mind,…Continued
The subtropical depression Alberto that affected Florida this past Memorial Day weekend only serves to reinforce how important it is to take the time and ensure that your insurance policy reflects your needs and that it provides sufficient coverage for you and your family. . As the value of a property fluctuates, it’s important…Continued
With the imminent arrival of hurricane season in just a few days, Florida homeowners may have some concerns about how ready the state is to handle the aftermath should another storm like last year’s Hurricane Irma make landfall. The Florida Hurricane Fund is a resource intended to assist private insurance…Continued
A recent Florida court ruling reinforces the importance of filing an insurance claim, knowing your rights, as well as what is and isn’t covered in your policy when your home suffers damage. The case involved homeowners who repaired damage in their home caused by water before filing a claim with their insurance company. The court…Continued
A Sun Sentinel article published last week discusses the sharp rise in lawsuits against property insurance companies during the first quarter of the year when compared to the numbers from 2017. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the largest number of these lawsuits were filed by home and property owners in Florida. More than 10,500 lawsuits were served to…Continued
Next month will signal the arrival of hurricane season and if last year was any indication, it will likely be another unpredictable storm season for South Florida, with the looming possibility of one actually hitting us (i.e.: Hurricane Irma). If you haven’t yet considered flood insurance, your time may be running out. As we’ve mentioned…Continued
After Hurricane Irma slammed Southwest Florida last fall, numerous residents and businesses were affected. As was common in the aftermath of a storm, damages needed to be assessed but it is very difficult to do so with all sorts of debris everywhere, as well as the factors of time and safety. Enter the use of…Continued
According to an Insurance Journal article, a well-known insurance rating agency recently announced that it will not downgrade any of the financial stability ratings (FSRs) of more than eleven Florida homeowners insurance companies due to the losses incurred because of major storms and last year’s assignment of benefits litigation. Despite this, there are still plenty…Continued
For those of you that are keeping tabs regarding Hurricane Irma and the damage it caused, a recent Herald Tribune article says claims have now reached close to $9 billion. Over 900,000 property homeowners have filed Irma claims due to losses caused by the storm, which made its way through Florida last year. While the…Continued
Citizens Property Insurance Corp. is once again generating headlines after approving several changes to its policy language aimed at tackling the expensive costs associated with non-weather water loss claims and the legal cases that have caused premiums to skyrocket. These changes will also cover issues that have emerged since the insurer implemented its Managed Repair…Continued
While the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season does not officially begin until June 1st, forecasters expect there to be slightly above-normal activity, particularly increased formation of storms in the Gulf of Mexico. What is a cause for concern is not so much the number of named storms making landfall in the southeast United States, but the…Continued
If you were hoping for a decrease in the cost of flood insurance, there is some disappointing news to report: As of the first of the month, premiums became more expensive, rising eight percent. The somewhat good news is most homeowners can expect to see their insurance increase by only five percent or less, according…Continued
With hurricane season looming, now is the time for Floridians to purchase flood insurance before storms begin to wreak havoc. In most cases, a homeowner will be required to wait a minimum of about thirty days before the flood insurance policy will go into effect. Homeowners should remember that the majority of insurance policies do…Continued
With the rising costs of homeowner’s insurance premiums, you may decide to seek out a more reasonably priced quote with a different provider. Your home ends up suffering extensive damage so you decide to file a claim only to be told some potentially upsetting news: the money you’ll be receiving reflects your home’s depreciated value…Continued
A recent Tampa Bay Times article discusses a case involving Florida’s last resort insurer Citizens Property Insurance. Back in 2007, residents of a Palm Harbor-based condominium began noticing signs of a potential sinkhole, such as cracking walls, doors not closing properly, and depressions inside of the units. Although claims were filed on many of the…Continued
Those hoping the Florida Legislature would do something about rising insurance costs and the assignment of benefits (AOB) situation may be disappointed to find out that they’ll need to wait until 2019. According to a recent Sun Sentinel article, the legislative session came to an end this past weekend, leaving the much-debated topic of insurance…Continued
Heritage Property & Casualty is one of the largest insurance companies in the state of Florida. If you’re a homeowner with a Heritage policy or someone who intends to purchase one through the insurer, you may be in for a surprise. According to a recent Sun Sentinel article, the insurer intends to increase rates for…Continued
Water damage and mold, leaky roofs, these are just a few examples of the issues homeowners are still dealing with nearly three months into 2018 as they wait for their Hurricane Irma insurance claims to be processed. According to an article featured on the website WINK News, homeowners are grappling with a situation where their…Continued
One of the worst things that can happen to a homeowner after their home has suffered storm damage is realizing their insurance policy does not cover a certain amount of damage. A recent article published in Florida Politics discusses something that’s being done to address this situation. It’s often stressed the importance of actually reading…Continued
Filing for bankruptcy is time consuming and it involves a significant amount of paperwork, not to mention the emotional toll and stress involved. For anyone filing for Chapter 7 for the first time, it’s important to know the right forms and necessary steps. Begin by doing an assessment of your finances and examining closely why…Continued
Have you ever heard of “assignment of benefits”? Private insurance companies are putting in requests to the state to approve two important policy revisions aimed at reducing losses from this practice. Last month, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation gave Citizens Property Insurance Corporation the okay to limit costs involving emergency repairs after a loss…Continued
