Florida Legal Resources and Practical Guidance
Homeowners Insurance Claims: Why You Should Hire an Attorney
When you are faced with the decision of filing an insurance claim for damages to your home, many people think that your insurance company is there to assist you and guide you through the claims process. Unfortunately, Florida homeowners insurance companies are not in...
Universal Property Doubles Profits After $1.3 Million Fine
Universal Property & Casualty Insurance reported record profits of $17 million the second quarter of 2013. These are Universal's highest net earnings since 2007. Compared to Universal's profit of $7.8 million for the same quarter last year, Universal more than...
Are You Covered: Broken and Deteriorated Drain Lines, Drain Line Backups, and Sewage Overflows?
This post is a first in our series discussing some common types of insurance claims that consumers may not be aware could be covered by their homeowners insurance policies. This post will address homeowner insurance coverage issues arising from broken, deteriorated,...
Supreme Court of Florida Issues Opinion on Insurer’s Duty to Pay Overhead and Profit
On July 3, 2013, the Supreme Court of Florida issued its written opinion in the case of Trinidad v. Florida Peninsula Insurance Company. In the underlying insurance claim, Trinidad filed an insurance claim for fire damage occurring on February 11, 2008 with his...
Significant Changes to Florida’s Public Adjuster and Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Statutes
Recent statutory changes prompted by Florida House Bill 909 take effect today, July 1, 2013, containing changes that will affect Citizens Property Insurance Corporation and Florida Public Adjusters. Some of the major changes effect the financial operations of...
Citizens Property Insurance Approves 7.5% Rate Increase
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation approved a statewide average rate increase for their homeowners insurance policies in the amount of 7.5%. Rate increases to wind only policies and sink hole policies are expected to be even higher. Although this rate increase...
Citizens Policy Take Outs by Questionable Upstart Insurance Companies
Recently, Citizens insurance policies held by South Florida residents are being assumed by a small group of untested insurers. These companies include Heritage Property and Casualty and Weston Insurance., both of which have only been licensed by Florida for less than...
Ft. Lauderdale’s Universal Property and Casualty Insurance Hit With Record Fines
Florida's largest private homeowner insurer, Fort Lauderdale based Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company, was hit with a fine of $1.3 million. Florida's Office of Insurance Regulation handed down the penalty on May 30, 2013 for various actions taken by...
2013 Hurricane Season is Underway!
With the first named storm of the season having already caused flooding and damage to Florida, now is a good time to make sure you are prepared for what is predicted to be a very busy 2013 storm season. The National Hurricane Center has a great guide for everything...