As can be easily witnessed as you drive around town, construction companies often use blasting, pile driving, dewatering and heavy equipment in the performance of large construction projects. Many times, damage can be caused to buildings on nearby properties due to the enormous amount of vibration generated by these activities. The question then becomes whether…
After the Storm – How to Handle the Storm Damage Claim
As Tropical Storm Erika was quickly approaching landfall a few weeks ago, Floridians were correctly focused on preparing for the high winds and water that could have caused an unknown amount of damage. As important as pre-storm preparation is, the steps you take immediately after the storm are also crucial with regard to your ability…
Hurricane Danny – Property Insurance Claims on the Horizon
As we watch Hurricane Danny approach the Gulf, it is hard to believe that 10 years have passed since Hurricane Charlie and three other storms caused massive damage and property insurance claims throughout Central Florida. Although the passage of time makes it easy to think that such storm damage is unlikely to happen again, we…
Lightning Strikes – Florida’s Most Underrated Disaster
Although it doesn’t get the same attention as Florida’s other natural disasters, lightning damage led to more than 10,000 insurance claims in Florida over the past year. Florida ranks first in the nation for both injuries caused by lightning strikes and insurance claims caused by lightning related damage. The estimated total property damage caused by…
The Ultimate April Fool’s Prank – Higher Flood Insurance Rates! (It’s a joke, right?)
Normally, April 1st is known for being the one day when you can pull pranks on friends and co-workers and still escape the beating that would normally follow on any other day. By merely yelling, “April Fools!”, you can escape judgment for all sorts of sins and misdeeds – all in the name of “good…
Storm Damaged Roof? Watch Out for Scams!
The severe weather that recently swept through the area left many property owners with damage to their roofs from the storms and high winds. When massive storm damage appears, the environment is ripe for an illegal activity that often plagues Florida – roofing scams.
The usual manner by which these roofing scams play out is…
Florida Gators Win Without Even Playing!
The University of Florida Gators were scheduled to play football against the University of Idaho Vandals on August 30, 2014 in what was to be the Gators season home opener in Gainesville, Florida. The football game was initially scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m., but due to heavy rains and lightning, the start of the…
Switching to a Cheaper Property Insurance Company? Better Think Twice.
Over the past few months, many Citizens Property Insurance policy holders received a notification that, unless they opted out within a certain time frame, their property insurance would be automatically transferred out of Citizens and into one of several small start-up insurance companies. These newly formed property insurance carriers have been nick-named “take-out” companies because…
Official Storm Names for 2014 Hurricane Season – Hopefully We Won’t Need Them!
Every year the National Hurricane Center develops a list of names to apply to possible tropical storms or hurricanes during the coming storm season. Believe it or not, there is an actual committee of the World Meteorological Organization which gets together and updates this list every year. (It would seem that they could just create…
NEWSFLASH – Exploding Corpses Not Covered By Homeowner’s Insurance!
Yes, dear reader, the above title is correct. A Florida Appellate Court actually had to rule that your homeowner’s insurance is not responsible to pay for damage caused by the “sudden explosion” of someone’s body. If you don’t believe me, you can read the actual opinion here.
Per the facts of the case, Ms.…