If your property was damaged during Hurricane Milton, filing a hurricane insurance claim as soon as possible is always a good idea. The sooner you file, the more likely you are to get a fair settlement so you can repair your home. However, since the storm’s path was so broad and the damage so extensive,…
Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida on October 9 as a Category 3 storm with sustained winds of 120 miles per hour. Though the storm wasn’t as severe as was initially feared, it still caused extensive damage throughout the Sunshine State, prompting many homeowners to file insurance claims to cover the damage. Unfortunately, many of…
When you file an insurance claim, you expect your insurance provider to give you a fair settlement so you can repair your home. Though this happens in most cases, receiving a settlement isn’t guaranteed. Some claims may be denied, meaning you won’t get the money you need to fix your home. Luckily, it’s possible to…
Living in hurricane and tornado-prone areas means it’s very likely that you’ll need to file a homeowner’s insurance claim at least once in your life. Your homeowner’s policy is designed to protect against common types of damage, including the types of damage widely associated with tornadoes and hurricanes. But filing a claim for this type…
When you’re dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, figuring out how you’ll pay for repairs to your home is always a priority. For most homeowners, this involves filing a homeowners’ insurance claim and waiting for their insurance provider to offer a settlement. Unfortunately, many homeowners end up making mistakes when filing their claims and…
Hurricane Milton caused damage across Florida. While much of the damage was the result of the hurricane itself, some of the destruction came from tornados spurred by the storm. Luckily, tornado damage is covered under most homeowners’ insurance policies, even if they’re caused by hurricanes. Here’s what your Florida hurricane insurance claims attorney wants you…
When people think about hurricane damage, most assume the bulk of the damage came from water. But the high winds associated with hurricanes can end up causing a lot more damage than water alone, even in areas not directly in the path of the storm. After all, Hurricane Helene made landfall with wind speeds as…
Hurricane Helene caused an estimated $110 billion in damage across Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee. For residents in Florida, recovering from the aftermath of hurricanes is no strange task. But if you’re new to the area or haven’t had to file an insurance claim in recent memory, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with the…
Hurricane Helene was one of the most destructive storms the South has seen, and while the worst of the damage occurred in other states, Floridians still saw their homes get damaged by the storm. Filing a property damage claim with your homeowners’ insurance provider is the best way to get the money you need to…
Hurricane Helene caused billions of dollars of damage across the South. If your home was damaged by the storm, your first thought will likely be that you need to file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance provider. While many companies will honor those claims and give fair settlements to homeowners so they can repair and…
When a hurricane hits Florida, homeowners across the state will need to file a homeowners’ insurance claim to get the money they need to repair the damage to their homes. But when thousands of people file claims at once, insurance providers start trying to pinch pennies. The Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund aims to help insurance…
Hurricane season can be unpredictable, and 2024’s season is no different. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts an above-average hurricane season meaning more homeowners will likely need to file a hurricane insurance claim at some point before the end of the year. If you’ve never had to file a claim, you may not…
When a hurricane damages your home, your homeowners’ insurance policy should help you cover the cost of repairs or replacements. But that doesn’t mean filing a claim will be straightforward. Remember, insurance providers are in the business to make money and this often leads to issues that you can’t handle on your own. When you…
Hurricane season is in full swing and for many homeowners. Finding ways to keep their properties safe isn’t just a priority—it’s essential to helping them avoid a time-consuming insurance claim process. The more you can do to protect your home before the storm hits, the less likely you’ll be to need an experienced Florida hurricane…
When you think about protecting your home from hurricane damage, you likely focus solely on preparing the exterior and tying down or removing items that could go airborne during high winds. While those steps can certainly reduce the damage your property suffers, they’re no substitute for having comprehensive insurance coverage. There are a few different…
If your home is damaged by a hurricane, getting things fixed as soon as possible is likely a priority. That’s where your hurricane insurance policy can help, but before you can get the money you need to pay for repairs, you’ll need to file a claim and meet with the insurance adjuster. While a Florida…
According to the Office for Coastal Management, severe storms like hurricanes caused roughly $3.8 billion in damage throughout the Central, Gulf, South, and Southeast areas of the country. For individual homeowners, even minor damage can lead to thousands of dollars of repairs. That’s why investing in hurricane insurance is so important. Like all insurance products,…
When your home is damaged by a hurricane, the sooner you can get a payout from your insurance provider, the better. But if you’ve lived along the Gulf Coast for long, you know that insurance companies like to find ways to delay settlements and many may deny your claim outright. This is why Florida has…
No homeowner wants to deal with a denied hurricane insurance claim, especially when simultaneously facing Florida storm damage. The appeals process can be frustrating and stressful. Understanding this complicated process (and how to navigate it effectively) is important in ensuring you get the compensation you deserve. This guide will help you learn how to appeal…
Hurricane season in Florida can be stressful, especially if your home or property has sustained severe damage. Being aware of the deadlines for filing hurricane insurance claims is necessary to ensure you get the compensation you need to repair and rebuild after the storm.Here’s a simple guide to help you navigate this process with the…
When a hurricane strikes Florida, the aftermath can be overwhelming. Homes, properties, and personal belongings can suffer extensive damage. Properly documenting this damage is crucial for filing insurance claims and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve. This guide will walk you through the steps to effectively document hurricane damage, highlighting why it’s essential and…
Hurricane season in Florida is a critical time for homeowners. From June to November, hurricanes can bring devastating winds, heavy rains, and severe flooding. Knowing the details of your hurricane insurance coverage is essential to protect your home and belongings.Here’s everything you need to know about Florida hurricane insurance coverage and when to seek legal…
Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage to properties in Florida, leaving homeowners overwhelmed. In the aftermath, knowing the right legal steps is crucial for ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve. This comprehensive guide from Parrish Law will help you understand the legal processes involved after experiencing hurricane damage. Assessing the Damage Before you inspect your…
Navigating hurricane insurance coverage can be complex, especially with new legislation coming into effect. Parrish Law Firm is dedicated to helping Florida homeowners understand these changes and adapt accordingly. The latest laws aim to enhance consumer protections, increase insurer accountability, and streamline the claims process. Understanding these updates is crucial for ensuring your property is…
Hurricanes are an ongoing threat in Florida, causing significant property damage and economic disruption. While insurance is meant to provide financial relief for such disasters, policyholders often find their hurricane insurance claims denied. Understanding the common reasons for these denials can help you better prepare and avoid potential pitfalls. With extensive experience handling insurance claims…
Hurricanes are a part of life in Florida, bringing the potential for significant property damage. Unfortunately, even when policyholders diligently pay their insurance premiums, they sometimes find their hurricane insurance claims denied. Navigating the appeals process for denied hurricane insurance claims can be challenging, but understanding the steps involved and knowing when to seek expert…
When living in a condominium or a community with a homeowners association (HOA), there may be special assessments that are levied on the homeowners in addition to their regular monthly fees. These assessments may be used for a variety of purposes, such as to repair damage to the common areas or to cover unexpected expenses. …
Question to Parrish Law: I received a check for my Hurricane Ian insurance claim from my insurance company. It’s clearly not enough to cover all of my repairs. Is it safe for me to deposit the check so that I can use the funds towards repairs and then also collect the remainder of what is…
New Legal Landscape for Property Insurers in Florida. Florida has undergone a significant legislative change in regards to property damage insurance claims and bad faith. The changes, many of which took effect in December 2022 and March 2023 (and some of which took effect between 2020 and 2021). These changes have inarguably made it more…
When it comes to insurance coverage, there are two main types of policies: all risks policies and named perils policies. A named perils policy, such as a wind only or a flood policy, covers only specific perils listed in the policy (such as, respectively, wind or flood), while an all risks policy covers all perils…
All risks insurance coverage is a type of property insurance that provides broad coverage for losses or damages to property. Unlike other types of insurance policies that specifically list the types of losses that are covered, an all risks policy covers all types of damages that are not specifically excluded by the policy language. Despite…
A Civil Remedy Notice (“CRN”) is a legal document that a policyholder (or policyholder’s representative) files with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (“OIR”) to notify their insurance company of potential bad faith practices. This notice outlines the policyholder’s claim and demands a response from the insurer within 60 days. The purpose of a CRN…
Hurricane Ian, which hit the coasts of Florida in September 2022, left a devastating impact on the local communities of Charlotte and Lee Counties. The aftermath of the hurricane caused significant damage to properties, leaving many homeowners and business owners struggling to cope with the costs of repairs and recovery. In such times, it’s essential…
It is common for mortgage companies to be listed as payees on insurance claim checks in the event of property damage to a mortgaged property. This is because the mortgage company has a financial interest in the property and wants to ensure that repairs are made to the property to maintain its value. When you…
When an insurance company and a policyholder disagree on the amount of damages owed under an insurance policy, both parties generally have the option of demanding that the dispute be resolved through the “appraisal process”. “Appraisal” is a method of resolving disputes that is provided for in most insurance policies. It is an alternative to…
Homeowners insurance policies are crucial for protecting your home and personal belongings in the event of a disaster such as a hurricane. However, not all homeowners insurance policies are created equal. There is a significant difference between a homeowners policy procured by the homeowner and a lender-placed policy procured by the mortgagee, and it’s important…
As a policyholder, it’s crucial that you understand your post loss duties under your insurance policy. Post loss duties refer to the obligations that the policyholder has after the loss occurs. These duties are usually set out in the insurance policy, and they must be strictly followed to ensure that the policyholder is not denied…
The total loss of a home due to a natural disaster like a hurricane can be a traumatic and emotional experience for policyholders. The loss of a home is not just a financial loss but also a loss of a sense of place, stability, and security. The process of rebuilding or relocating can be overwhelming,…
Potential clients of Parrish Law may be wondering if they are entitled to recover “matching” damages under their insurance policy. The answer may depend on the specific language of the policy and the laws of the state where the property is located. In Florida, there is a statutory provision that addresses the issue of matching…
When you purchase a property insurance policy, you expect that it will cover all types of damage that your property might suffer. However, many insurance policies have specific exclusions and limitations that may not be immediately apparent. One type of coverage that you may not be familiar with is law and ordinance coverage. Law and…
The Washington Post recently published an excellent article (link below) that sheds light on how some insurance companies have been (allegedly) improperly underpaying and denying claims for property damage resulting from Hurricane Ian. According to the article, some insurers have allegedly been slashing payouts far below damage estimates prepared by their field adjusters (without the…
When it comes to property damage insurance claims, insurance companies typically hire experts, such as engineering companies, to assess the damage and provide an estimate for repairs. While the use of experts can be beneficial to both insurance companies and policyholders, there are also potential issues and conflicts of interest that can arise. One of…
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (“Citizens”) is a not-for-profit insurer created by the Florida legislature in 2002 to provide property insurance coverage to those who are unable to obtain it in the private market. Citizens is the largest insurer in Florida and is considered the “insurer of last resort” for homeowners who cannot obtain insurance elsewhere….
As hurricane season approaches, it’s essential for homeowners to take steps to prepare for potential property damage and the subsequent insurance claim process. Here are some specific steps that should be taken before a hurricane strikes to ensure that the policyholder is prepared to deal with the aftermath and put themselves in the best position…
When it comes to hurricane insurance claims, policyholders may encounter policy exclusions related to wear and tear, deterioration, and pre-existing damage. Insurance companies may argue that the damage to the policyholder’s property was not caused by the hurricane but instead resulted from these exclusions. However, policyholders can take steps to prove that the damage was…
In the aftermath of a hurricane, property damage can be extensive, and policyholders may wonder what steps they should take to ensure that they receive full compensation from their insurance company. One important consideration is the policyholder’s duty to mitigate damages. This means that policyholders have a responsibility to take reasonable steps to prevent further…
In the context of hurricane insurance claims, examinations under oath (EUOs) are a common tool used by insurance companies to investigate the validity of a claim. EUOs are similar to depositions, in that they are conducted under oath and are recorded, but they differ in that they are conducted by the insurance company’s representative and…
In the aftermath of a hurricane or other catastrophic event, homeowners are often in a rush to get their homes repaired as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, this rush can lead to mistakes, particularly when it comes to post-loss assignment of benefits agreements. What is an AOB? Post-loss assignment of benefits agreements, or “AOBs”, are agreements…
A sworn statement in proof of loss is a document that policyholders are required to complete and sign in order to prove their loss or damages in an insurance claim. The purpose of the sworn statement is to provide the insurer with a detailed description of the loss and its cause, as well as the…
When it comes to insurance claims for property damage, two terms that policyholders should understand are actual cash value and replacement cost value. Actual cash value refers to the amount that an item or property is worth at the time it is damaged, taking into account depreciation. Replacement cost value, on the other hand, refers…
Question to Parrish Law: I hired an attorney with respect to my Hurricane Ian property damage claim in Bonita Springs, Florida (which had been denied by my insurer). The law firm I hired advertises heavily in my area and I based my decision to hire this attorney solely on the advertisements I saw. When I…
Hurricane Ian, which hit the coasts of Florida in September 2022, left a devastating impact on the local communities of Charlotte and Lee Counties. The aftermath of the hurricane caused significant damage to properties, leaving many homeowners and business owners struggling to cope with the costs of repairs and recovery. In such times, it’s essential…
It is common for mortgage companies to be listed as payees on insurance claim checks in the event of property damage to a mortgaged property. This is because the mortgage company has a financial interest in the property and wants to ensure that repairs are made to the property to maintain its value. When you…
