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
Water Damage
Tornado and Flood Damage in Florida – What to Do After the Storm
Over the last few days, Central Florida has been pounded by torrential rain, tornadoes and high winds. These damaging windstorms and tornados were especially violent in Manatee, Sarasota, Lee, Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties. These thunder storms caused flooding in Shore Acres, wind damage in Siesta Key, and claimed the lives of two people in Duette. …
Hail Damage Claims – Truth vs. Insurance Company Fiction
Almost every time we speak to a new client regarding their hail damage insurance claim, our clients tell us that the insurance company representative told them some variation of one or more of the below statements. Unfortunately, insurance company adjusters have a habit of trying to convince property owners that they have “no business” filing…
Flood Insurance Crisis – Possible Help on the Horizon
By now, most Floridians have heard about – or even experienced – the incredible spike in flood insurance premiums that are coming their way due to the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act. In short, the Biggert-Waters act is a new federal law which attempts to address a $24 billion dollar deficit in the coffers of…
Hurricane Preparations Part I – Develop a Plan for Your Family
An essential part of hurricane preparation is having a plan for your family long before a storm arrives. Once the storm arrives, it is too late to start thinking about contingencies and making plans for your family’s safety. Your basic plan can be re-used each year, but make sure to review your plan each year…
Water Damage – the Silent Destroyer of Homes
Although hurricanes, earthquakes, and sinkholes get the majority of the attention in the news, the vast majority of insurance claims deal with water damage to property. These claims are generally broken into two categories – flood damage and water leak/seapage damage. Flood claims revolve around damage caused by “rising water”, as opposed to other types…
New Flood Insurance Law May Crush Florida’s Real Estate Market
Pursuant to a new Federal law, premiums for residential flood insurance in Florida may soon be as high as $24,000 a year. A new law, the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act, was enacted by Congress in 2012 as a knee jerk reaction to the recent large scale disasters such as hurricanes Katrina and Sandy. Proponents…