Storm surge and wind from Hurricane Helene has created significant damage along the Gulf Coast. Experiencing  wind damage or flood in your home or business can be distressing, and the aftermath can often be overwhelming. One of the critical steps post-storm is to document the damage for insurance claims accurately. Proper documentation not only helps in maximizing your claim benefits but also ensures a smoother claims process. Here are the best tips to help you document and prepare an insurance claim effectively.
Read More

Hurricane Helene is a fast moving large storm system that will impact a large geographic area. You pay good money to insure your property, while hoping never to have to file a claim. But when disaster does strike, you expect your insurance company to have your back. In a perfect world, your insurance carrier will send out their field adjuster following your notification of a loss. The adjuster will thoroughly inspect and properly value your damage. A check to help you rebuild will be forthcoming in a reasonable amount of time. Unfortunately, in our 40 years of practicing public adjusting, we often see too many cases where this is not the case.
Read More

Hurricane Ian – Two Years Later: Time is Running Out for Victims to File Claims

As Hurricane Helene approaches, we hope your family stays safe and that your property remains undamaged. Even if Helene doesn’t make landfall in your area, regions outside the forecast cone could still experience strong winds, embedded tornados, heavy rain, and storm surge. It’s important to secure your property and stay tuned to local advisories.However, while Helene grabs attention, Floridians affected by Hurricane Ian face another urgent concern—time is running out to file or reopen claims for damages from this devastating storm.

Final Call: Hurricane Ian Claims Deadline Approaching

Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida as a powerful Category 4 storm on September 28, 2022. As we mark the two-year anniversary, it’s crucial for policyholders to remember that the deadline to file or reopen claims related to Ian is rapidly approaching. The final day to submit a Hurricane Ian claim is September 28, 2024. After this date, no new or reopened claims can be filed, meaning you may lose your right to recover compensation for property damages caused by Ian.

Read More

As a follow-up to our insurance claim tips blog post yesterday, some of the calls and reports we are receiving in the aftermath of Hurricane Debby are quite alarming. Residents of the Lakewood Ranch community are reporting extensive flood damage to homes and cars, along with critical care needs due to heart attacks, electrocutions, and other emergencies that have tragically resulted in loss of life. Property owners are stuck in their homes, waiting for the waters to recede, and many are concerned about their coverage since these inland communities, which haven't experienced flooding in over 30 years, are not near the coast. While automobiles will likely be covered, expensive damages to homes may result in numerous liability claims against developers and possibly municipalities. This is an ongoing critical situation, and we are working to assist those calling in need of help.

Read More

It is extremely important to have records of your property’s condition in the event that you need to file a claim with your insurance company. Based on current assessments, Hurricane Debby is expected to cause significant losses from Ft. Myers in Southwest Florida, Sarasota to Clearwater St. Petersburg, and especially into Tampa Bay. Right now, flash flooding continues, storm surge coinciding with onshore winds, a full moon, and high tides may produce some surprises. Property owners should prepare for the worst. Additionally, embedded tornadoes and significant wind gusts are always a risk, causing roof and interior water damage that may initially appear as roof leaks.

Read More

It already appears 2024 will be a very active hurricane season. It’s still not to late to secure your property, make needed repairs, take photos of personal property and pre-loss property conditions. If you do experience a loss here’s 3 things you can do to make your insurance claim, go smoother.
1. Report your claim to your insurer in a timely manner. 
Read More

Our firm was happy to contribute to the June Florida Community Association Journal Hurricane Preparedness issue. Below is our article plus here’s a link to many more expert articles on disaster prep.
Read More

Congratulations to ABC Action News ITeam reporters for clearly explaining the state of Florida’s Property Insurance situation in their Florida Insurance Disaster show. There are still home and business owners battling their insurance companies trying to rebuild. While we applaud Florida’s My Safe Florida Home Program and the recent fine of an insurer not complying with claim regulations during Hurricane Ian, much more can be done to give policyholders an avenue to resolve disputes, hold unresponsive insurers accountable and require insurers have the financial staying power to withstand the serious storms that will come. Follow ABC’s continuing coverage of the Insurance Crisis in Florida.  

Read More

The Last House Standing  by Director - Producer George Siegal, is a documentary film that explores why we continue to place cost over safety, while the technology exists to build homes capable of withstanding hurricanes, fires, and tornadoes. The film explores the challenges of post storm recovery and features an interview with our founder, Dick Tutwiler. Watch the Film Here
Read More

It's been quite the whirlwind at Tutwiler & Associates! This year we are celebrating our 40^th Year Anniversary of putting policyholders first. This week, the Emeritus and Founder paid a visit to our office, sharing insights from his career in the professional public adjusting industry and invaluable insider knowledge acquired during his tenure at a major Insurance Company. From what I've gathered, the video company is doing a news piece diving deep into unraveling the complexities of insurance schemes in Florida along with the internal methods used in the claims settlement process between insurance companies and their policyholders.
Read More