If you own a condo in South Florida, your condo association’s insurance policy should provide coverage for any damage to your home. Florida law imposes strict coverage requirements for condo associations; however, for individual unit owners, purchasing home insurance is no longer required. So, if you own a condo, should you still purchase home insurance?
Home Insurance for South Florida Condo Owners: The HO-6 Insurance Policy
When it comes to your home, buying insurance is almost always a good idea. In the case of a condo, the standard policy – referred to as an HO-6 insurance policy – offers a number of important forms of coverage that are not provided by most condo association policies. These include coverage for:
- Damage to the fixtures and appliances in your condo
- Damage to the structural elements of your condo unit
- Damage to your floors, countertops and other upgraded materials
- Liability claims in the event that you get sued
- Loss of use if you are forced to move out during repairs
- Your personal property
Filing an HO-6 Insurance Claim and Dealing with Your Insurance Company
If you have condo insurance and your home is damaged in a hurricane, tropical storm or any other casualty event, then securing coverage will mean dealing with your insurance company. Unfortunately, while this should be a straightforward process, many condo owners find it exceedingly difficult to secure the coverage for which they have paid.
While insurance companies are certainly well within their rights to deny claims for losses that aren’t covered, what they cannot do is wrongfully deny or dispute claims or unreasonably delay payment of amounts that are contractually owed. This is referred to as insurance bad faith, and it is a violation of policyholders’ rights under Florida law.
When you file an insurance claim, you cannot control your insurance company. But, you can take steps to mitigate the risk of an improper denial, and you can take steps to put yourself in a strong position if you need to take legal action against your insurer. For some tips from our Fort Lauderdale property damage lawyers, you can read:
- 7 Tips for Managing Your Homeowner’s Insurance Claim
- Creating an Inventory of Lost Property After a Storm or Theft
- FAQs: What Should You Do After a Storm Damages Your Home?
- How to Calculate Your Personal Property Loss After a Fire, Flood or Storm
- What is the Scope of Your “Duty to Cooperate” During an Insurance Claim?
- What Can You Do if Your Insurer Denies Your Property Damage Claim?
- What to Expect (and What Not to Expect) When Your Insurance Adjuster Visits Your Home
Do You Need Help With Your Condo Insurance Claim?
If you have an insurance claim for loss of personal property or damage to your South Florida condo, our attorneys can help you enforce your rights under your insurance policy. To get started with a confidential initial consultation, please call (954) 928-9568 or tell us how we can help online today.
