Tampa Property Insurance Lawyer
A recent Florida law gives insurance companies the option of not renewing sinkhole property damage coverage to certain policyholders. Instead, they can replace that coverage with catastrophic ground cover collapse coverage. While the new coverage may be less expensive for policyholders, it offers significantly less protection.
Differences in Coverage
The new law is directed at home and business owners in Hernando County and Pasco County, the two counties that make up approximately 80 percent of Florida's sinkhole damage claims. Under this law, property owners will need to specifically request and pay top dollar for comprehensive sinkhole coverage when they either renew existing policies or purchase new ones. If they fail to do so, insurers will give them catastrophic ground cover collapse coverage instead.
Under the old law, sinkhole damage coverage paid for even subtle problems such as stair-step cracking on walls, broken tiles from floors that were no longer level and windows that no longer closed due to ground shifting. Catastrophic ground cover collapse coverage, on the other hand, only pays after a structure has been damaged so badly that it must be officially condemned by local housing authorities, which rarely happens.
Protecting Property Owners
The costs of sinkhole repairs can be catastrophic. If you do not have the appropriate coverage, your house or business property is almost worthless. Since sinkholes are to Florida what forest fires are to southern California, it is critical that you retain sinkhole coverage upon policy renewal.
At Corless Barfield Trial Group, we are committed to protecting the interests of Florida property owners. Founding attorney Ted A. Corless has represented many of the most influential insurance companies throughout the state and now uses that inside knowledge to assist policyholders. Our legal team is ready to help you.
Contact Our Firm for a Free Consultation
For answers to all your questions about sinkhole and catastrophic ground cover collapse insurance in Florida, turn to our firm. To schedule your free initial consultation, contact us online or call 813-498-1623 or 877-517-5595. We answer phone calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Evening and weekend appointments are available by request.
Corless Barfield Trial Group handles sinkhole damage claim cases on a contingency fee basis. Therefore, you pay nothing until we obtain compensation for you.
