It is getting pretty redundant and somewhat annoying to hear insurance companies complain that they want the homeowners to repair their house and don’t want to write checks for settlements. Every insurance adjuster and every lawyer representing them seem to think that every homeowner that files a sinkhole claim makes a big pay day, pays [...]
May
9
2012
9
2012
May
8
2012
8
2012
State Farm doing away with appraisals
We have had some lengthy discussions in the past about the appraisal process and what it means and the advantages and disadvantages. State Farm was by far and away the most common user of the appraisal process. Appraisal is not a statutory obligation so for the insurance carrier to demand it, it must be included [...]
Apr
24
2012
24
2012
The USAA “structural damage” ship continues to sink
Everyone knows that USAA long ago took a stance that if a home does not exhibit structural damage (as they defined it) they could deny coverage. The problem is, again as we all know, is that the policy doesn’t define what structural damage means. USAA was making up its own definition, a very narrow one [...]
Apr
23
2012
23
2012
Will insurance companies pay for underpinning?
Q: I just found out 4 weeks ago that I have sink hole activity.My insurance comapny has not denied the claim however they want to grout my home and I do not agree with this kind of repair on my $700,000 home. I have no MTG. They currently want to give me $200,000 for both [...]
Apr
11
2012
11
2012
Barfield and Corless get breakthrough win in Ocala against Tower Hill
Some background on the case is important before we discuss the results. My clients purchased a home in Ocala. Unknown to them or Tower Hill, there had been a prior claim made on the house. My clients noticed damage to their home that appeared to be sinkhole related and filed a claim with Tower Hill. [...]
Apr
2
2012
2
2012
What is an EUO and why do I have to do it?
Q: For an Examination Under Oath (EUO), what can/can’t an attorney do for a claim filer? Can they interject into the questionning? Also, is the insurance company required to provide a reason for requesting the EUO if asked for an explanation? An EUO is a contractual animal that virtually every insurance policy will contain. Essentially [...]
Mar
26
2012
26
2012
Why does Citizens take so long and what do I do?
Boy do we hear this question a lot. Let me stick up for Citizens for just a brief second first off. Citizens is by far the largest insurer in the state and often times forced into insuring risky homes in risky areas. By default then Citizens assumes more bad policies than any other insurance company. [...]
Mar
22
2012
22
2012
Follow up to can I sue my insurance company for the lost value to my home?
Q: My home has just been grouted for the second time. Our home although we are fixing it again at the request of the insurance company has lost value. Is there anything that can be done? We addressed the question of whether you can sue an insurance company for lost value in our last post [...]
Mar
21
2012
21
2012
Can I sue Citizens for the loss of value to my home?
Q: I am selling my house…buyers had engineer inspect back deck and engineer determined hollow and sinking underneath and cracking on walls…said foundation was safety hazard and had to reduce price by around $6000.. Turned in claim to florida citizens..they sent adjuster but they sent me certified letter stating that their investigation may take many months..the [...]
Feb
17
2012
17
2012
Barfield Law Group set to merge with Corless Associates
For some time those that follow this blog have noticed my references to Ted Corless or his web page at www.csalegal.com. Ted Corless was the founding parter of Corless Associates in 2002, one of the largest and most well respected insurance law firms that specialized in sinkhole claims. Corless Associates defended insurance companies such as [...]
Subscribe to Sinkhole Damage Blog:
