As more areas of Florida fall under a fire watch this week due to the consistently dry, freezing weather, one licensed public adjuster says he expects a new wave of business and property insurance claims across the state.

Why? Florida has officially entered the high season for fire losses, the time of year when too often our careless mistakes combine with dangerous natural conditions to create a holiday hardship, according to the American Red Cross. 

Florida poses an especially unusual fire risk because of its sheer volume of condo units and other multi-family complexes. Between rentals and owned properties, fires have spread through neighboring multi-family residential units and displaced families during this vulnerable house fire season, says Charles R. "Dick" Tutwiler, founder and CEO of Florida certified public adjuster firm Tutwiler and Associates.

And condo homeowners take notice: your association is likely struggling to make insurance payments and meet other obligations due to the downturn in the real estate market, and your condo association may lack fire loss insurance, adds Tutwiler. The certified Florida public adjuster recommends reviewing insurance policy coverage and buying necessary first-party property coverage this season, as more property and homeowners increase their electricity and heating requirements.

"Though many of us are easily distracted during the holidays, we must remember to do a few simple checks around the house," says Tutwiler. "Sweep your chimney, check those smoke detector batteries, and keep an eye on that space heater. Hooking up a portable heater or other holiday lighting with an extension cord has endangered many families in the past."

While the public adjusters at Tutwiler and Associates warn property owners of an increase in home fires, the Florida Division of Forestry predicts high threats of wildfire throughout the state. The high season for house fires normally wraps up at the end of March, according to the American Red Cross.

CONTACT:
Tutwiler and Associates
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Phone: (800) 321-4488
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About Tutwiler and Associates: Tutwiler and Associates is a firm of public adjusters licensed in 10 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands specializing in commercial and residential property loss adjusting. With well in excess of $113 million in client success stories over a 27-year history, the Florida public adjusters work exclusively on behalf of policyholders to help them achieve the maximum settlement amounts they can fairly and honestly recover based on their loss and their policy provisions. Professional help from the adjusters at Tutwiler and Associates can help clients obtain a fair recovery under their policy. The Gulf Coast based public adjuster firm is committed to public service and strives to educate its clients about commercial and residential windstorm and hurricane losses, flood damage, fire, smoke and water damage, collapse, hidden decay and mold losses, sinkholes, loss of stock, and business interruption.