After a flood or other substantial water event, flood insurance policy holders are often surprised to learn what is covered by their flood policy – and more surprisingly, what is NOT covered under their flood insurance policy. As I have written about before, flood insurance is totally separate from homeowners insurance, and both provide
Why is the Mortgage Company’s Name on My Insurance Check?
Policyholders are often shocked to learn that the loss settlement check they receive from the insurance company is payable not only to the policyholder, but to their mortgage company as well. Homeowners insurance policies are broken down into several types of coverage – whether for the building, personal property, liability, alternative living expense, or
Is Flood Damage Covered Under My Homeowner’s Insurance Policy?
Most people believe that when they buy homeowner’s or commercial property insurance that they will be covered for any damage that may occur to their property. Unfortunately, as many people have painfully learned during recent flooding events, the normal policy of homeowner’s property insurance does NOT provide coverage for damage caused by “rising water” or
How to Determine Whether Your Property Has Been Damaged By Vibration from Adjacent Construction.
Developers and construction firms often elect to use heavy equipment, blasting or pile driving in the performance of their construction projects. If your property is in close proximity to a construction project where heavy equipment, pile driving or blasting is being used, your property may incur damage related to the vibration caused by these activities.
Is Vibration Damage Covered Under My Homeowners Property Insurance Policy?
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