Our Hurricane Blog | Colling Gilbert Wright & Carter

It is important to plan well in advance of hurricane season to assess your insurance needs to protect your home and family. If you live in low lying or coastal areas, purchasing a separate flood insurance policy is a must.

A homeowner’s policy or condo owner’s policy will cover most types of water damage, but usually not flood damage. Flood damage is covered under a separate policy, and perhaps you have both of these policies. Disputes often turn on the determination of whether damage is from “flood” or from “water”. There’s a strict legal definition for what a flood is.

One extremely important thing to remember is that a newly purchased flood insurance policy does not take effect until after 30 days, so purchasing a policy as a storm approaches will not protect you. More information about flood insurance can be found at Floodsmart.gov.

If you have a flood insurance policy and you feel your claim has been denied or you have not been fully compensated, please call us or send us an email. We can give you a free consultation and start to determine whether you might have a valid legal claim. Our office serves all of Florida. Se habla español.

Labels: Flood Insurance Claims, Florida Hurricane Insurance Claims, Florida Hurricane Insurance Denial, Hurricane Property Damage, Tropical Storm Fay

The Florida Property Insurance Reform Bill, passed during the 2008 legislative session becomes law effective July 1, 2008. It offers a number of important protections and upgrades for Florida homeowners. Among the more important changes made to Florida law:

• Extends the rate freeze for Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, the state's insurer of last resort, to January 2010.
• Allows single-family residential homes and condominiums with a replacement value of up to $2 million into the Citizens insurance pool.
• Requires Citizens' policyholders of property located in wind-borne regions and with an insured value of $500,000 or more to disclose the property's windstorm mitigation rating to prospective buyers.
• Increases fines for violations of the insurance code and for unfair trade practices by private insurers.
• Extends by one year to January 2010 a provision from last year's insurance bill that requires insurers to get state approval before raising property insurance rates.
• Requires insurers to notify state regulators 90 days before dropping more than 10,000 homeowners' policies in one year.
• Requires insurers to use state-approved methods to predict the risk of hurricanes, a key factor in setting rates.
• Creates a bad faith cause of action for insurers who fail to pay undisputed portions of claims within 90-days.

While it does not completely solve all the problems causing rising insurance costs here in Florida, some of the requirements should help bring additional relief to residents who have seen their premiums sky rocket over the last few years.

If you have any doubts about whether your hurricane homeowners’ insurance company is treating you fairly regarding your insurance claim, please contact experienced hurricane damage attorney Michael D. Cerasa today to arrange your free consultation. Se habla español.

Labels: Florida Hurricane Insurance Claims, Florida Hurricane Insurance Denial, Florida Hurricane Insurance Laws, Hurricane Property Damage

As we enter the 2008 hurricane season residents should have enough supplies on hand to survive for at least three days after a hurricane hits. Here’s a checklist of the basic items for a disaster supplies kit that will help you survive the first 72 hours:




□ Drinking water: 1 gallon per person per day.
□ Enough nonperishable food for at least the first few days.
The ideal: two weeks’ worth.
□ Comfort food (cookies, pastries) to relieve stress.
□ Toilet paper, paper towels, plastic tableware and cups, wet wipes,
plastic wrap, plastic trash bags.
□ Two coolers: one for food, one for ice.
□ Manual can opener.

□ A flashlight and batteries for each family member.
□ First-aid kit: bandages, antiseptic, tape, compresses,
pain relievers, anti-diarrhea, medication, antacid.
□ Medication for routine illnesses such as colds.
□ Liquid soap, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, toothbrushing pads.
□ Water purification kit.
□ Two-week supply of medications.
□ Fire extinguisher.
□ Infant necessities: medicine, diapers, formula, bottles, wipes.

□ Cleanup supplies: mop, buckets, towels, disinfectant, bleach, for demolding.
□ Camera or camcorder to properly record property before the storm and document damage.
□ Extra batteries.

□ Pillows, blankets, sleeping bags or air mattresses. Shelters provide no sleeping facilities.
□ Folding chairs or cots.
□ Extra clothing and shoes.
□ Personal hygiene items: tooth-brush, washcloth, deodorant, etc.
□ Food, water, ice.
□ Prescription medications in their original containers.
□ Books, handheld games, cards, toys, needlework.
□ Cash. ATMs, credit-card networks might be down.

□ Fill you car’s gas tank.
□ Extra eyeglasses; sunglasses.
□ Insect repellent.
□ Sunscreen.
□ Appropriate clothes for after the storm passes: closed-toe shoes, dry socks, rain gear, hat.
□ Flat fixer for tires.
□ Work gloves.

If your place of residence or business has suffered damage from a hurricane or other extreme weather, it is in your best interest to hire an experienced hurricane damage attorney. Michael Cerasa knows how to get you the maximum amount of compensation you deserve from your insurance carrier.

You do not have to deal with uncooperative insurance companies by yourself. Michael D. Cerasa is here to help. Please contact us today and we will be glad to set up a free consultation for you. Se habla espanol.

Labels: Flood Insurance Claims, Florida Hurricane Insurance Claims, Florida Hurricane Insurance Denial, Hurricane Property Damage, Tropical Storm Fay