Not many details on this yet but we know Tower Hill, after losing a trial just several months ago in Hernando County, decided to try it again. This time they tried a different county, Polk, and a different lawyer representing them and got the same result. A denied sinkhole claim they have to pay for [...]
Mar
30
2012
30
2012
Nov
14
2011
14
2011
Follow up on Ocala sinkhole that swallows a car
We first posted on this story about a month ago. If you recall, a large sinkhole opened up directly next to a home in Ocala, swallowing the homeowners Dodge Durango. The car had to be lifted out of the hole with a crane and the homeowners were advised to stay away from the house. This [...]
Oct
12
2011
12
2011
Ocala suffers heavy rains brining a swarm of sinkholes, swallowing cars and endangering schools
Heavy rains in Ocala over the past week have taken their toll, not only in the water damage and flooding but the activation of sinkhole conditions. At least four sinkholes have opened up in the Ocala area causing some rather severe damage and losses. Three of the sinkholes formed at area schools with the most [...]
Oct
7
2011
7
2011
A house built on trash?
You have to feel sorry for Brian Dyer and his family. Brian decided he wanted to build a pool for his kids. When excavation began to dig the pool they found trash, everywhere. They found washing machine tubs, electronics, tires and other household trash, all buried within four feet of the surface. He hired a [...]
Sep
27
2011
27
2011
Sinkhole opens in Tampa roadway slowing traffic
A sinkhole has opened at the intersection of Fletcher and Nebraska, a very busy roadway in Tampa. The hole appeared almost in the dead center of the roadway and is almost a perfect circle. The hole is estimated to be six feet in diameter and about eight feet deep. The intersection is closed for repairs [...]
Sep
22
2011
22
2011
Citizens receives 32.8% rate increase
Through a lot of speculation and frankly anger and protest, we finally have an answer to how much more can Citizens charge. We have gone from 2,000% percent to 400% to 50% and the final numbers fell at 32.8% on average. This number can fluctuate of course. Pasco and Hernando Counties who are most commonly [...]
Sep
15
2011
15
2011
Citizens backs off huge sinkhole rate hike and proposes phased plan of increases
The news that Citizens had requested and seemingly been approved to increase sinkhole insurance coverage rates by as much as 2,000% did not sit well. A town hall type meeting was held at the Tampa Convention Center to allow residents and supporters of homeowner’s rights an opportunity to discuss the issues. There was a good [...]
Sep
9
2011
9
2011
Citizens seeks legal immunity in Supreme Court arguments
Arguments are currently being heard by the Florida Supreme Court on the issue of whether Citizens Insurance should be granted certain legal immunities. It has been a long standing rule in this state that Citizens is immune from bad faith lawsuits. Bad faith damages occur after an insurance company is ordered to pay damages in [...]
Sep
2
2011
2
2011
Homewise Insurance continues to battle its insureds even though the company is on its last leg
Homewise Insurance company, based out of Tampa, lost its financial health rating last week. Demotech, the only rating agency that rated the company, dropped the rating last Thursday. Most homeowners here in Florida are required to have property insurance from a rated company. The banks that carry the mortgage want to ensure the financial strength of [...]
Aug
7
2011
7
2011
State Farm takes a big hit after verdict in Hillsborough County trial
This past week State Farm Florida Insurance decided to try its luck in a claim where State Farm’s experts had denied sinkhole activity was affecting their insured’s property. After nearly five days of testimony the Hillsborough County jury returned a verdict in favor of the homeowner, not only confirming that State farm should have provided [...]
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