Sinkhole activity isn’t limited to areas in Florida with high limestone levels, like Pasco and Hernando counties. You may find yourself in a situation where you are presenting minimal evidence of sinkhole activity, but the claim has to be paid because the engineering firm cannot determine the cause of the damage with any reasonable degree of specificity.
In looking for signs of sinkhole damage, grout cracks should be evaluated.
When a sinkhole claim is filed one of the first steps is for an adjuster from the carrier to come out and inspect the damage. During this initial inspection these adjusters almost always request that the homeowner submit to a recorded statement. We say that the carrier requests the statement but in reality, you are required to cooperate with any reasonable investigation or your insurance company could deny you coverage, so you are really forced to provide a statement.
Next suggestion: always raise your concerns with the insurance company in writing, both to your claims adjuster and your insurance agent. Many times, insurance claim representatives have a difficult time separating what is a “problem†versus what is just common frustrations of an insured. If you submit your concerns in writing, and tell them exactly what you want them to do, it makes it clear you have defined your expectations. That way, you will both know if the issue has been resolved.
Reports prepared by geologists and geotechnical engineers following the investigation of a sinkhole claim can be very difficult to understand. However, there are certain issues to look for in reviewing a sinkhole investigation report prepared by your insurance company’s consultants.
Depending on your home insurance policy, you may be able to claim living expenses in your sinkhole claim.
What had probably occurred was that the claim adjuster heard someone say that you were filing a claim, due to settlement damage, in part because of the debris found in your soil. But, understand this: claims do not come in any particular shapes, sizes, or flavors. Your claim was for the damage to the home, and you were under no requirement to submit a particular kind of claim. Instead, you are supposed to be able to submit your claim for the damage that is present, and the insurance company must either pay it, or tell you why they won’t. If the damage is consistent with sinkhole or sinkhole activity, they are required to do an investigation, regardless of how you submitted it or what you thought the damage was.
Assure the insurance company that you intend to comply with all reasonable requests, but that you are uncomfortable with what they are seeking. By doing so, you can document your continued cooperation of the claim. This is important because insurance companies can use any "alleged failure" to provide information as a separate defense of their failure to cooperate. Keep copies of the letters in your own file, so you can produce these if litigation breaks out.
My home has a confirmed sinkhole, which the insurance company paid to repair. However, there is no question that the value of my home, even after being fixed, is less than it was before my claim. Can I get paid from the insurance company for the loss of value? This is a hotly contested issue,…
Mediation is a method of resolving a dispute that is an alternative to litigation. Learn what to expect and how the mediation process works.
