After a hurricane, windstorm, fire, or other significant property loss, Florida homeowners expect their insurance company to provide the coverage they paid for. Unfortunately, even a valid property insurance claim can become delayed, disputed, or substantially underpaid. Florida law imposes claim-handling obligations on insurers when investigating, evaluating, and adjusting property insurance claims. When an insurer...
KC Williams
Why Do Cast Iron Pipes Fail in Florida Homes? Cast iron plumbing systems were once considered a durable and reliable option for residential construction, which is why they were commonly installed in Florida homes built between the 1940s and 1970s. While cast iron pipes can last for decades, they are not designed to last forever....
A house fire can turn a Tampa property owner’s life upside down in minutes. Beyond the visible flames, fire damage often leaves behind smoke contamination, soot residue, water damage from firefighting efforts, unsafe living conditions, destroyed personal belongings, and costly repairs. When the fire involves faulty wiring, an outdated electrical panel, overloaded circuits, unpermitted electrical...
Florida homeowners face year-round weather risks, including hurricanes, tropical storms, hail, high winds, flying debris, and wind-driven rain. One of the most common and costly types of storm-related property damage involves windows. Broken, cracked, leaking, or shattered windows can do more than affect the appearance of a home. Window damage can expose the interior to...
What Is Theft Coverage in a Home Insurance Policy? Theft coverage can protect a homeowner when personal property is stolen from the insured residence. In many homeowners’ policies, theft is a covered cause of loss under Coverage C – Personal Property, subject to the policy’s deductible, coverage limits, exclusions, and special limits for certain types...
When a dishwasher floods a kitchen or a power surge destroys a refrigerator, most Florida homeowners want to know whether their homeowners’ insurance will cover the loss. The answer depends on the cause of the damage, not on the type or age of the appliance. Understanding that distinction before filing a claim can make the...
The Question Florida Homeowners Deserve Answered Florida homeowners pay some of the highest property insurance premiums in the country. For years, policyholders were told that one issue was largely to blame: excessive litigation. That narrative helped drive sweeping insurance reforms in 2022 and 2023. Those reforms changed the legal landscape for Florida policyholders and made...
The insurance company may list the mortgage company on a homeowners insurance claim check because the policy includes a mortgagee clause, sometimes called a loss payable clause. When a lender finances a home, the home secures the mortgage loan. To protect that interest, the lender requires the homeowner to maintain property insurance and list the...