Hurricane Ian brought a significant storm surge with it. In some areas, the storm surge was reported to be up to 15 feet. Of course, this raises insurance questions such as what caused the damages to the property, the high winds associated with the storm, or the flooding. This will be a major topic of dispute in insurance claims over the next few years. However, Florida’s Valued Policy Law may be able to offer some guidance.
Continue Reading Florida’s Valued Policy Law and Hurricane Ian
Why aren’t the federal flood insurance limits at least equal to the amount which the Federal government backs Fannie Mae mortgages? Why haven’t federal flood limits on residential policies kept up with inflation? Why do they stay the same for over a decade? And why isn’t the increased costs of compliance coverage up to $100,000, so people can rebuild to the new flood standard?
Continue Reading FEMA 50% Rule Hits Hurricane Ian Victims—Why Don’t We Double Federal Flood Limits and Triple ICC Coverage?
A Florida public adjuster called and asked if a Hurricane Ian national flood insurance proof of loss had to be filed within 60 days. That answer is “no,” as explained in Hurricane Ian Flood Proof of Loss Deadline Extended. FEMA extended the deadline for 365 days.
Continue Reading Public Adjusters May Have One Year To Submit Hurricane Ian Federal Flood Claims Proofs of Loss But Still Have To Make Written Estimates Within 60 Days
The Florida Bar has taken a very proactive stance regarding wrongful solicitation of Hurricane Ian and Nicole policyholders. The Florida Bar filed an emergency Petition today for suspension of a Florida attorney working for an out of state law firm. The Petition alleges, among other items, deception in the solicitation of Hurricane Ian claimants:
Continue Reading Florida Bar Acts Against Wrongful Solicitation—Claimants Should Hire Reputable Attorneys With Credentials
Champlain Towers was a warning for aging condominiums to inspect and immediately repair structural compromises. Hurricane Nicole made another warning last week for structures along beach fronts—will the structures be able to withstand rising sea levels and storm surge?
Continue Reading Collapse From Storm Surge—Will National Flood Pay These Claims?
Hurricane Ian caused significant damage to many structures that may not be compliant with current flood elevation maps. If those damaged structures are deemed to have “substantial damage,” the owners may face even greater reconstruction costs to comply with current flood elevations.
Continue Reading Substantial Damage and Questions About FEMA’s 50% Rule
National Flood Insurance adjustments can be extraordinarily maddening for people trying to get a fair adjustment. For example, the Superstorm Sandy flood adjustment fiasco led to a Congressional investigation and thousands of flood claims being re-opened and eventually paid years late because those overseeing the program and its attorneys nitpicked and refused to pay claims for the stupidest wrongful reasons.
Continue Reading National Flood Insurance Adjustment Disputes—Where the Rubber Meets the Road
Additional living expense (ALE) coverage is extraordinarily valuable to victims of Hurricane Ian. These benefits are often overlooked because insurance policies do not provide examples of common living expenses. United Policyholders provides such a list:
Continue Reading Additional Living Expense Coverage and the Period of Restoration Following Hurricane Ian
I was selected by the judge overseeing the Champlain Towers collapse in Surfside, Florida, to be the insurance coverage counsel for the class of victims. There were numerous lessons that all condominium boards, their lawyers, and property managers should learn from studying that tragedy. One of those is the role of inspections to critical areas of the structural integrity of the condominium.
Continue Reading Condominiums That Were In The Path of Hurricane Ian Need Structural Engineering Assessments
United Policyholders has supported and educated policyholders following catastrophes for three decades. It is the largest and oldest non-profit organization solely supporting policyholders’ rights in the United States.
Continue Reading Learn Hurricane Recovery Tips From Non-Profit United Policyholders on November 2nd