A recent media article following the new catastrophic sinkhole loss in Dunedin, Florida caught my attention the other day as it looks like we have two forces on a collision path. And wouldn’t you know that the poor insured policyholder is caught in the middle. The media recently reported that a Citizens Insurance claim committee will vote…
Public adjuster Keith Grams of Tutwiler & Associates was recently interviewed by WFLA and NBC News about sinkhole insurance repair issues. He offers further comments regarding concerns about the direction the insurance companies and legislature are taking. For many years the Florida legislature and the insurance industry have systematically weakened coverage for sinkholes. Last week’s massive sinkhole…
As part of the national news coverage of the Dunedin, Florida sinkhole collapse, many questions were brought up about the laws governing sinkhole insurance coverage. It was apparent many homeowners and even some media were confused. As part of the coverage Tutwiler & Associates public adjuster Keith Grams was interview by NBC national news. We…
The catastrophic sinkhole that opened up in Dunedin, Florida has brought attention to limits of the new law that was passed in 2011 by the Florida Legislature. This law made it extremely difficult for homeowners to get proper coverage or alternatively pay a hefty price for a very limited sinkhole policy. Many of the changes are not good…
Q. The city where we live experienced a ten inch water main break that flooded our basement with 4 ft. of water. We hired a public adjuster 10 days ago. Now they are backing out saying there are limitations to what they can do. Should we go with the city’s insurance? Should we find out…
Q. Could one choose to have a larger deductible on hurricane insurance? For example; a 20% or 30% deductible on a $100,000 home? What would be the savings as opposed to a 10% deductible? A.I suspect this is one issue that will be on a lot of people’s minds after Super Storm Sandy and the expected…
Q. We own a home that was built in 1964. Last Saturday our family room ceiling collapsed. There does not appear to be any moisture. The insurance company is telling us it’s normal wear and tear, the insulation was too heavy and thus the damage is not covered. There are no cracks in the ceiling, no…
This question was originally answered by public adjuster Dick Tutwiler for United Policyholders “Ask an Expert” where he contributes his experience to helping property owners who have insurance claim questions. Q. If the mortgage company holds on to my insurance repair check and delays my ability to rebuild my damaged home by hanging onto my insurance check, is…
With Super Storm Sandy’s anniversary at hand, not surprisingly, the national media is running a lot of stories on this Frankenstorm Halloween weather event. Having been there with our firm’s troops, we can bear witness to the awful devastation and impact on the communities and their residents lives from Sandy’s furry. Sandy has now been…
Q. How much does the insurance company pay for my groceries in case of fire loss? An amount of $500 regardless or I can make an inventory with photos, prices and quantities? A. If you are asking about the value of the food items you had in the house that were lost, the short answer would be the dollar amount…