When a homeowner and an insurance company disagree over the cost of repairs, the method for resolving their dispute will typically be specified in the “boilerplate” provisions of the homeowner’s insurance policy. Under a typical policy, the first step will be to have the damaged inspected by one or more “impartial” appraisers. Read More

According to news reports, the total losses resulting from Hurricane Michael are expected to exceed $4 billion. In fact, since this figure solely represents the cost to agriculture businesses in Florida and Georgia (and their insurance companies), the aggregate financial impact of Hurricane Michael is likely to be far more substantial. One source, the Claims Journal, has estimated the total losses from Hurricane Michael as high as $25 billion. Read More

For many Florida homeowners who suffered losses during Hurricane Michael, their ability to rebuild is heavily dependent upon their ability to secure coverage from their homeowner’s insurance and flood insurance carriers. While some homeowners may find the insurance claims process to be fairly straightforward – especially if their homes suffered fairly minor damage – others will face significant challenges and frustrations at virtually all stages of the process. Read More

If you go by news reports, just about every hurricane that forms in the Atlantic Ocean represents the next great natural disaster. Seemingly, almost every storm during the hurricane season gets sensationalized; and, when the winds die down, instead of simply communicating the facts, many media outlets look for ways to keep the news cycle churning. Read More

When you file a property damage insurance claim after a hurricane or tropical storm, one of the first things your insurance company should do is send an adjuster to survey and document the damage. If you are waiting for an adjuster to come to your home in South Florida, here are some important considerations to keep in mind: Read More

While most South Florida residents understand the importance of preparing in advance for a hurricane and prioritizing safety above all else during a major storm, many people do not think about the safety risks involved with returning home once a storm is over. Most people want to get home, survey the damage and start putting the pieces back together as soon as possible. Read More

When your home is damaged in a storm, the first step toward rebuilding is typically to file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance company. While most homeowners will file their claims promptly, whether due to travel, roadblocks that prevent access to neighborhood streets or other issues, some homeowners may not be able to file their claims right away. Read More

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently released its 2017 Hurricane Season FEMA After-Action Report, highlighting key statistics and lessons learned from the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season. According to the report, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria combined to create the costliest hurricane season on record, with homeowners, businesses and government agencies losing an estimated $265 billion as a direct result of these storms. Read More

The 2018 Atlantic hurricane season is upon us; and, while experts recently issued a revised forecast with a below-average level of storm activity, it is still important for homeowners to be prepared. As we learned last year, it only takes one storm to cause widespread devastation, and homeowners who take steps to get ready will be in the best position to begin the recovery process as quickly possible. Read More

When your home is damaged in a storm, filing a claim with your insurance company is just the start of the restoration process. To protect your rights under your policy and ensure that your home is repaired appropriately, it will be important to take an active role in managing your claim from start to finish. Read More