Category: Insurance Claims

2019 Year in Review: Our Top 15 Articles from the Year

December 31, 2019
Business Law Insurance Claims

It’s time for another year in review, and we’ve got a lot to cover. In 2019, we wrote about a variety of different topics on our blog, ranging from business law and insurance issues to some pretty exciting news about our firm. So, without further ado, here are our top 15 articles from 2019: Firm News 1. Saavedra-Goodwin Expands to Central Florida On April 1, we formally announced our firm’s expansion to Ce[ ... ]

These Are the First Predictions for the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season

April 30, 2019
Insurance Claims

AccuWeather recently released its first predictions for the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season. In 2018, we saw a total of 15 named storms; and, in 2019, AccuWeather is predicting, “a near- to slightly above-normal season with 12 to 14 storms.” According to AccuWeather, “[o]f those storms, five to seven are forecast to become hurricanes and two to four are forecast to become major hurricanes.” In previous years with similar weather patterns this time of year, s[ ... ]

Unlicensed Contractors and Assignments of Benefits (AOBs): A Warning for South Florida Homeowners

April 19, 2019
Insurance Claims

In the aftermath of a hurricane or a major tropical storm, the recovery and rebuilding process can be overwhelming not just for individual homeowners, but for communities as a whole. All of a sudden, the demand for insurance adjusters, contractors and temporary housing is far greater than the supply, and this means that the duration of the recovery process gets extended and many people are forced to move far away from their homes. Sadly, some people view this overwhe[ ... ]

What Does Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy Cover?

February 28, 2019
Insurance Claims

As a homeowner in South Florida, you know you need homeowner’s insurance. But, do you know why (aside from the fact that your mortgage company requires it)? While many homeowners put little thought into their coverage options, making informed decisions about your home insurance policy can be critical to making sure you are able to rely on your coverage when you need it. Categories of Coverage Under Standard Florida Homeowner’s Insurance Policies There are[ ... ]

What is the Statute of Limitations for Homeowner’s Insurance Claims in Florida?

February 15, 2019
Insurance Claims

When your home is damaged in a storm or other casualty event, you only have a limited amount of time to file a claim with your insurance company. If you wait too long, your insurance company may be justified in denying your claim entirely. However, this is not the only timeframe homeowners need to be worried about – especially since most homeowner’s file their insurance claims right away. There is also a statute of limitations that applies to lawsuits against homeow[ ... ]

What Can South Florida Condo Owners Expect from HO-6 Insurance Claims?

January 17, 2019
Insurance Claims

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[ ... ]

Looking Back at the 2018 Hurricane Season – And Preparing in Advance for 2019

January 3, 2019
Insurance Claims

The 2018 Atlantic hurricane season is over, and as we await the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) first predictions for the 2019 season – which will be released on May 1 – it is worth taking a look back at what we learned last year. With a total of 15 named storms, including a record seven storms eventually classified as subtropical, 2018’s[ ... ]

What are Your Options After an NFIP Claim Denial?

December 3, 2018
Insurance Claims

If you have flood insurance under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and you receive a denial of coverage, or the coverage you receive is inadequate to cover your flood-related losses, what options do you have available? Unfortunately, this is a question that many policyholders are forced to ask, as NFIP payouts often fall short of homeowners’ expectations. The NFIP Claims Handbook outlines three options for homeowners who are dissatisfied with the outcome[ ... ]

How to Make Use of the “Additional Living Expense” Clause in Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy

November 30, 2018
Insurance Claims

As an insured homeowner, if you get displaced from your home as a result of damage sustained in a hurricane, storm or other casualty event, the “additional living expense” clause in your insurance policy is designed to help cover the costs you incur as a result of relocating to temporary housing. But, insurance companies will often attempt to deny coverage or pay less than the full amount to which policyholders are entitled; and, as a result, it is important to make[ ... ]

What is a “Concurrent Cause” and When Can (and Can’t) Insurers Deny Coverage?

November 16, 2018
Insurance Claims

One of the most complicated (and most frustrating) issues involved with substantial homeowner’s insurance claims is the issue of “concurrent cause.” Under standard homeowner’s insurance policy language, if two factors concurrently cause property damage and one factor is covered while the other is not, then the insurer has the right to deny coverage based upon concurrent causation. This “anti-concurrent cause clause” has understandably led to numerous lega[ ... ]