We are pleased to announce the settlement of Kings Park Garden Apartments fire insurance claim with its insurer, State Farm Insurance Company. This fire which received national media attention due to the destruction of 51 residences during the December holidays provides an example of the necessity for pre-loss insurance planning.

The insurer's first offer to settle of $3,006,590.00 proved to be inadequate in that significant building code upgrades were required in this 31 year old structure by the building department during the permitting process. After an intense period of negotiations an amicable settlement was reached in the amount of $4,723,030.00 to cover the cost of fire damages as well as the code or law and ordinance issues.

If this condominium association did not have adequate insurance limits as well as law and ordinance coverage, the latter of which is commonly excluded in standard property insurance policies, of the $4,723,030.00 final settlement agreement Kings Park unit owners would have had to fund in excess of $2,000,000.00 to cover the law and ordinance or building code upgrade requirements by assessing the unit owners individually.

Take time to review, plan and implement your strategy to insure adequate insurance protection as part of overall disaster plan for perils such as fire, flood, windstorm and etc.