FEMA 50% Rule: Rising Above Challenges and Learning from the Past—What’s the Real Story?

FEMA 50% Rule: Rising Above Challenges and Learning from the Past—What’s the Real Story?

The 2024 Florida hurricane season year has been exceptionally busy and deeply impactful. Especially for those of us in the Tampa Bay region. For many, the effects are devastatingly real; for others, recovery has just begun. Tragically, some communities face complete replacement, leaving scars that may never heal. Writing this, I feel compelled to acknowledge…

Additional Living Expenses Explained for Those Impacted by Hurricane Milton

Additional Living Expenses Explained for Those Impacted by Hurricane Milton

Florida homeowners with severe damage from Hurricane Milton to the extent that their residence is uninhabitable, may have an insurance policy that provides a coverage called “Additional Living Expense” or “A.L.E.” if it is a covered loss. Under the Additional Living Expense coverage, you and your family may be entitled to rent another home of…

Insurance Nightmare Unfolding for Florida Homeowners

Insurance Nightmare Unfolding for Florida Homeowners

I want to thank NBC reporter, Rob Wile for allowing me to contribute to his news piece: Insurance ‘nightmare’ unfolds for Florida homeowners after back-to-back hurricanes (nbcnews.com)   It brings to light something we’ve been blogging about for some time. Policyholders have been put in a precarious position at the worst time when it comes to putting their…

Hurricane Milton Insurance Claims - Make Sure They Get on the Roof

Hurricane Milton Insurance Claims – Make Sure They Get on the Roof

Due to the widespread and extensive wind damage caused by Hurricane Milton, insurance company adjusters and many inexperienced contractors, in their rush to assess claims, may eyeball roof damage and recommend partial repairs based on simple visual inspection. And I don’t want to even address those trying to inspect roofs with drones. This is going…

Homeowners Hit by Helene Are In for an Insurance Claim Shock

Homeowners Hit by Helene Are In for an Insurance Claim Shock

Harsher policy terms mean damages might not be covered Honored to have been asked to contribute to this article. Jean Eaglesham is a topnotch reporter and very knowledgeable at all levels of the insurance industry. I suggest you follow her on the WSJ. https://www.wsj.com/finance/homeowners-hit-by-helene-are-in-for-an-insurance-claim-shock-60ae5519?st=fpHroy&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

Florida’s One-Two Punch Looming: Milton and Post-Helene. What’s Next for Insurance Claims?

Florida’s One-Two Punch Looming: Milton and Post-Helene. What’s Next for Insurance Claims?

As recovery efforts continue in the wake of Hurricane Helene, Tropical Storm Milton has now formed and is projected to bring heavy rainfall and potential flooding to parts of Florida in the coming days. We’ve already received calls from clients in Jacksonville, and we anticipate more to come. Many of my neighbors here on the…

Public Adjuster Rick Tutwiler Talks With CFO and Chief of Insurance Assistance Division of Consumer Services Following Hurricane Helene

Public Adjuster Rick Tutwiler Talks With CFO and Chief of Insurance Assistance Division of Consumer Services Following Hurricane Helene

It was a humbling experience meeting with Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis today at the ‘Insurance Village’ in Clearwater, established for Bay Area residents impacted by Hurricane Helene. As Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, Patronis was on-site offering much-needed reassurance to homeowners who lost everything, providing guidance, and outlining steps for relief. During our conversation, we addressed…

More Hurricane Helene Flood Claim Strategies from a Public Adjuster’s View

More Hurricane Helene Flood Claim Strategies from a Public Adjuster’s View

Since Hurricane Helene impacted Florida’s Gulf Coast, our public adjusters have been besieged with questions about flood claims. Therefore, I thought it would be helpful and hopefully educational to explain the distinction between a flood event and a water loss since these terms are often misused by policyholders filing a claim. In addition, for those…