Tips for filing Hurricane Harvey insurance claims
The devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey along the Texas Gulf Coast is widespread, and will likely extend into the billions of dollars. Once area residents are rescued and out of harm's way, the clean-up will begin in earnest. And that means companies and individuals will be filing insurance claims. To make the claims process go more smoothly, and to speed up your insurance check, the Insurance Information Institute (III) says there are six steps consumers should follow. Fi
Why Florida insurers could double homeowners' rates
Florida has seen its share of calamities, but an "epidemic of insurance claims" could shove the Sunshine State down a financial sinkhole even before the next hurricane hits. Lawyers and "restoration companies" have teamed up to create a superstorm of lawsuits forcing Florida's home and auto insurers to either raise rates -- or leave the state. And, to the chagrin of insurance companies, their tactics are totally legal. "This is costing the honest Floridian enormous pain," sai
South Florida's most popular neighborhoods for condo buyers in Q2
Two neighborhoods in Miami-Dade County topped the list for the most popular ZIP codes for condo/townhouse buyers in South Florida in the second quarter, according to the Florida Reators. Existing condo/townhouse sales declined 1 percent to 12,489 in the tri-county region, compared to the same period a year ago. The median sales price climbed 8 percent. Review the slideshow to see the 25 local ZIP codes that generated the most condo/townhouse sales in the second quarter. Browa
Insurer: Miami Is More Vulnerable To Hurricanes Like Andrew
MIAMI (AP) — Almost 25 years have passed since a Category 5 hurricane struck south of Miami, and the city’s vulnerability to catastrophic storm damage has grown exponentially, according to a new insurance underwriters’ analysis. At the time, Hurricane Andrew was the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history, causing more than $26 billion of damage in Florida’s most populous areas, including $15.5 billion in insurance payouts. Stringent building code enforcement followed
Does homeowners insurance cover sinkholes?
Homeowners insurance should cover the two homes that fell into the monstrous sinkhole in Pasco County last week, said Winter Springs insurance agent Kris Pontell. "In the state of Florida, everyone is covered on their homeowners (insurance) with catastrophic ground collapse coverage," Pontell said. "It's the minor cracking where your home is livable that might not be covered and might be an expense to you." That's where additional sinkhole coverage -- a sinkhole coverage ride
How to File a Bad Faith Insurance Claim
When you purchase an insurance policy, you are buying protection and peace of mind. It’s important to know your insurance company will be there to help you should a covered event occur. If an insurer deliberately denies a claim for unjust reasons or without conducting a proper investigation, you may be able to pursue a bad faith action. No matter what form the insurance bad faithtakes, it can cause big problems and you don’t have to accept their actions. The following steps w
What Is Insurance Bad Faith?
You’ve been a responsible policyholder – paying your premiums on time, abiding by the terms of your policy, and steering clear of insurance fraud. So, when the time comes to file a claim under your policy, you expect your insurance company to hold up its end of the bargain. Unfortunately, there are some insurance agents and companies out there who make this process unnecessarily difficult, denying legitimate claims or otherwise shirking their legal responsibilities. This coul
Can I Sue an Insurance Company for Denying My Claim?
Dealing with property damage is hard enough. So, if you’re forced to battle your insurance company on top of all that, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Thankfully, there are many laws designed to protect consumers like you, and it’s not uncommon for a policyholder to sue his or her insurer. Read on to learn about the basics of suing your insurance company for denying your claim or other misconduct. Reasons an Insurance Company May Deny Your Claim An insurance company has an ars
