Florida Insurance Claim Lawyer Blog

South Floridians have not seen the sun in days due to all this rain. It has been raining non-stop in South Florida since the weekend.

The consistent and persistent rain that has been hounding South Florida over the past several days has taken its toll. The ground is saturated and there are puddles and standing water nearly everywhere.

There is also the potential for widespread flooding and a flood advisory is in effect for the Florida Keys extending into the South Florida mainland.

Given the uncertain weather conditions, we could find development of isolated tornadoes and waterspouts.

Weather reports indicate that Wednesday should be the last day of all this nasty wet and wild weather for South Florida. An approaching cold front will push all of this moisture away and bring cooler temperatures.

The heavy rains, flash flooding, and tornadoes, may have also caused damage to your property. Water damage is one of the most commonly cited reasons in claims on home insurance. After heavy rains such as the ones we are experiencing currently, and experienced a few weekends ago, may result in some form of damage to your property.

The first signs of water damage might seem trivial. But warnings like water stains on the ceilings or a leak under the kitchen sink can lead to real problems, like a weakened roof or rotten floorboards. A burst pipe can even damage your furniture and other personal possessions.

Continue reading "Rain Rain Go Away. Has All This Rain Caused Damage To Your Roof, Property, or Business? Call Us Today To Discuss. " »

This past weekend was essentially a big wash out for South Florida. Many in Miami-Dade County and Broward county experienced terrible weather. Consequently, the heavy rains caused some flash flooding in many areas throughout South Florida as a result of seeing as much as 6 inches of rain in some areas.

The heavy rains may have also caused water damage to your property. Water damage is one of the most commonly cited reasons in claims on home insurance. After heavy rains such as the ones we just experienced this past weekend may result in some form of damage to your property.

Did you know that water damage is one of the most commonly cited reasons in claims on home insurance? This should not come as a total surprise considering the many possible causes of water damage - heavy rain, bursting of pipes, and the bathtub accidentally overflowing.

Despite the fact that water damage is a common claim, not all claims for damages due to similar causes will be paid by insurance companies. In fact, claiming on home insurance against water damage can be complicated, and tricky. If you have sustained damage to your property as a result of the recent heavy downpour, then you should contact our office today for a consultation regarding your potential claim.

The first signs of water damage might seem trivial. But warnings like water stains on the ceilings or a leak under the kitchen sink can lead to real problems, like a weakened roof or rotten floorboards. A burst pipe can even damage your furniture and other personal possessions.

Continue reading "Did the Heavy Weekend Rains Damage your Home or Property?" »

Channel 10 News in Tampa is the latest to report on the ongoing saga involving the federal flood insurance program.

As our Miami insurance dispute attorneys reported on our Florida Insurance Claim Blog, Congress has extended the program in fits and starts, often just a few months at a time. When the program is unavailable, it causes huge headaches for homebuyers, who cannot qualify for a mortgage without flood insurance.

Further complicating the matter, are new FEMA maps that have been decried as inaccurate and frequently require flood insurance of homeowners in areas with no history and little real threat of flooding.

While South Florida Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Letinen is among the supporters of the program, it has come under heavy fire for questionable payouts. Additionally, about 1 million policies are riskier than their premiums would suggest, leaving taxpayers to foot the remainder of the bill.

FEMA records show about 20,000 properties have collected on claims in excess of their value -- sometimes far in excess of their value. Channel 10 reports on a $153,000 Alabama home that has received more than $2 million in claims.

Others are receiving discounts for rental or vacation properties. In Longboat Key, a wealthy resort area near Sarasota, a direct hit from a hurricane could cause an estimated $13 billion in damages, yet nearly half (48 percent) of homeowners receive discounts because the homes are not their primary residences.

In other cases, homeowners file claims storm after storm for recurring damage to the same poorly situated and vulnerable property. Pinellas County has reported $72 million in repetitive claims; Pasco County has had $32 million. Statewide, more than $1.3 trillion in repetitive claims have been paid out.

Currently the flood insurance program is $19 billion in the red.

From a practical standpoint, the issues with the flood insurance program can make it more difficult for a homeowner to file a legitimate claim; may increase the risk of a denial; and can subject legitimate claims to excessive wait times. Consulting a storm damage attorney in South Florida is often your best bet when dealing with a substantial insurance claim.

Continue reading "South Florida Residents should Know their Rights when Dealing with Flood Insurance " »

A Florida Congresswoman is among those supporting a five-year extension of federal flood insurance in an effort to return some stability to the volatile coastal insurance markets.

Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen supports the Flood Insurance Reform Priorities Act, which would extend federal flood insurance for five years. Recently, the act has been extended for just a few months at a time, causing much instability in coastal housing markets.

The issue of flood insurance can leave South Florida homeowner's with huge headaches. Homes determined to be in a flood plain are required to have flood insurance in addition to a regular homeowner's insurance policy. FEMA flood maps, which were recently updated, appear to have been drawn by a drunken surveyor instead of the state-of-the-art surveying equipment available to the government. And now the government is making the required insurance available only in sporadic fits and starts due to the usual political merry-go-round in Washington.

But where homeowners are frequently hurt is when an insurance company attempts to blame storm damage on flooding, thereby relieving themselves of the obligation to pay. This was common after Hurricane Katrina, when insurance companies decided they would pay for missing roofs, but not homes destroyed by the resulting water damage. A Miami insurance claims lawyer should always be called to handle significant damage claims. Accepting partial claims and signing waivers or other paperwork are just two ways a homeowner can quickly find themselves in trouble when dealing with an insurance company.

About 90 percent of all flood insurance nationwide is provided through the government's program and nearly half of those policies are held in Florida. The gaps in coverage have left Florida homeowners unable to close sales on properties, the Sun-Sentinel reported.

"Prospective homebuyers must be given the assurance that they can buy and sell without worrying about the unpredictability of availability of flood insurance," said Ros-Lehtinen. "This bill presents a positive step in regaining confidence in South Florida's beleaguered housing market."

In some cases, those with existing policies have also been unable to renew their coverage during recent lapses in the government's insurance program. The 5-year extension has passed the House and moves on to the Senate, where its fate remains uncertain.

In all, the government's flood insurance program covers 5.6 million properties valued at $1.2 trillion.

Continue reading "Flood insurance Critical in South Florida Coastal Regions but can Complicate Claims " »

Another hurricane season is upon us here in South Florida. The pelting rain. The howling wind. The mad rush of weathermen on both local and national TV. The long lines in the gas stations and food stores.

It is difficult to forget the damage Hurricane Andrew caused to South Florida in 1992, and Hurricane Wilma in 2005. It is just as hard to forget the haunting images of what the residents of New Orleans, and coastal Mississippi went through after Hurricane Katrina made land fall in 2005. These hurricanes, and other smaller storms over the years, caused extensive damage to many properties in Florida, and the Gulf states.

The good news, however, is that with modern technology - and yes, those weatherman that appear constantly on TV - we should have at least 3 to 4 days advance notice of an arriving hurricane. It will be important to use that time wisely.

The most cumbersome part of a hurricane is often the aftermath. For instance, after Hurricane Wilma struck South Florida in 2005 there were many parts of South Florida that was left without electricity for days, and many gas stations that could not dispense fuel for weeks.

Therefore, it becomes important to have a plan in place to deal with hurricanes. And your hurricane preparedness plan should include preparations to address the coming hurricane before it arrives, as it is hitting, and after it makes land fall.

For instance, it will be important for you to take photographs of your property, including vegetation, your roof, personal belongings, etc., prior to the arrival of a hurricane. This will allow you to make the strongest case possible with your insurance company should your property be damaged as a result of the hurricane.

More importantly, you should have ample supplies to last you through the hurricane and beyond. The National Hurricane Center recommends including these items in your hurricane survival kit:

- Water - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days
- Food - at least enough for 3 to 7 days
- non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices
- foods for infants or the elderly
- snack foods
- non-electric can opener
- cooking tools / fuel
- paper plates / plastic utensils
- Blankets / Pillows, etc.
- Clothing - seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes
- First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs
- Special Items - for babies and the elderly
- Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes
- Flashlight / Batteries
- Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio
- Telephones - Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set
- Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards - Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods
- Keys
- Toys, Books and Games
- Important documents - in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag
insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.
- Tools - keep a set with you during the storm
- Vehicle fuel tanks filled
- Pet care items
- proper identification / immunization records / medications
- ample supply of food and water
- a carrier or cage
- muzzle and leash

To learn more, please contact our office today.