In the world of home insurance, “vacant” and “unoccupied” are two very different terms. If a home is deemed to be vacant, most standard homeowner’s insurance policies exclude coverage for losses due to vandalism, theft, water damage and certain other types of perils. However, if a home is considered unoccupied, then the homeowner’s standard coverage applies. Read More

In February, Florida’s Fifth District Court of Appeal issued an important decision for property owners whose homes are damaged due to prolonged water intrusion. The case arose out of a refrigerator supply line leak that occurred while the homeowner was out of town.

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As a homeowner who has suffered property loss in a hurricane, tropical storm, or other damaging event, the last thing you want to hear is that your insurance company is attempting to deny coverage. Unfortunately, this is an all-too-common occurrence, and one way that insurers often attempt to avoid liability for property damage claims is by alleging homeowner fraud. Read More

In the wake of Hurricane Irma in late 2017, Florida officials issued a warning that some homeowners were being targeted in scams involving an insurance form known as an Assignment of Benefits (AOB). The Florida Office of the Attorney General has warned of hurricane-related fraud scams as well, and we previously covered the Federal Emergency Management Administration’s (FEMA) advice for avoiding scams in the wake of a hurricane. Read More

If you have flood insurance in South Florida, there is a good chance that your coverage is provided under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). If you purchased your home prior to 2014 and have not changed your coverage, you have an NFIP flood insurance policy. A change in the law four years ago allowed Florida homeowners to seek coverage from private carriers; however, many mortgage lenders still prefer (and recommend) NFIP coverage. Read More

When you file an insurance claim after a hurricane or tropical storm causes damage to your home, if you are like most people, you want the process to be over as quickly as possible. You don’t want to have to go back and forth with your insurance company, and you are checking daily to see if there is a check in the mail. Read More

One of the most-devastating hurricane seasons on record is over, and the 2018 hurricane season does not begin until June 1. But, that does not mean that homeowners should be lulled into a sense of complacency. Read More

If your home has been damaged in a hurricane, tropical storm or other major weather-related event, figuring out where you can turn for help is often the first step toward recovery. Read More

You bought insurance to protect your property. You paid your premiums. You filed a claim when your home was damaged in a storm and . . . your insurance company told you it isn’t going to pay. Read More

The Florida Supreme Court's recent ruling in Altman Contractors, Inc., v. Crum and Forster Specialty Insurance Company, could cause insurers to re-write their duty-to-defend provisions of their Commercial General Liability policies.

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