Commentary

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

by Rick Tutwiler on 11/26/2024

In Florida, this lack of awareness is especially apparent in the ongoing debate over FEMA’s 50% Rule — a crucial regulation for post-disaster rebuilding that has recently taken center stage in the media. Despite its long-standing significance in guiding recovery after major flood disasters, public awareness remains surprisingly low. What’s even more troubling is the persistent spread of misinformation, often repeated by community leaders, so-called experts, and local building officials. These inaccuracies, amplified by media coverage, lead to widespread misunderstanding, with many mistakenly assuming the rule applies uniformly across all communities. This confusion creates significant challenges for agencies and experts striving to provide clear guidance during critical times.
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Insurance Nightmare Unfolding for Florida Homeowners

by Rick Tutwiler on 10/13/2024

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 lives back together and upholding their insurance coverage.

Homeowners Hit by Helene Are In for an Insurance Claim Shock

by Rick Tutwiler on 10/7/2024

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

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

by Rick Tutwiler on 10/4/2024

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 key issues policyholders were facing. I shared some of the common concerns I’ve been hearing, highlighting how a licensed public adjuster can make a real difference in navigating the claims process.
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Filing a Property Insurance Claim – From Confusion to Clarity

by Rick Tutwiler on 5/29/2024

Dick Tutwiler the Founder and Emeritus CEO of Tutwiler & Associates Public Adjusters was recently featured here on the Homeowners Be Aware podcast. During the interview, he provides some great insight into dealing with property insurance claims and some of the hurdles policyholders will face. If you have a favorite podcast platform, simply search "Homeowners Be Aware." The podcast can also be found on website: https://homeownersbeaware.com/
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ABC Action News Explains Florida’s Property Insurance Disaster

by Rick Tutwiler on 5/16/2024

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.

40 Years of Contributing to the Public Adjusting Profession

by Rick Tutwiler on 2/23/2024

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.
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Hurricane Ian One Year Later: Policyholders Await Justice Amidst a Storm of Bureaucracy

by Rick Tutwiler on 9/22/2023

It's been a year since Hurricane Ian unleashed its fury on Florida, battering both coastlines and wreaking havoc on agricultural and urban areas in between. An event that should have subsided in its aftermath has instead metamorphosed into a year-long saga of pain, resistance, and a battle for policyholder insurance claim justice as countless victims remain ensnared in an unnatural whirlwind: the struggle for fair compensation and treatment in the claim adjustment process.
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Understanding EML and PML: The Dilemma Facing Policyholders in Property Insurance

by Rick Tutwiler on 9/20/2023

Insurance is a cornerstone of risk management, especially when it comes to safeguarding valuable assets like property. However, the concepts of Estimated Maximum Loss (EML) and Probable/Possible Maximum Loss (PML) have been causing ripples of discontent among policyholders. Let's delve into what these terms mean and why they are becoming a concern, especially for commercial clients such as hotels and apartment complexes.
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The Florida Insurance Crisis and Hurricane Ian – This isn't Getting Better

by Rick Tutwiler on 8/10/2023

Last year, we saw one of the most destructive storms in the history of the state with Hurricane Ian. This year, we are witnessing just how severe the lack of oversight is, in regard to regulating property insurance carriers’ financial integrity as well as making them accountable for their claims handling schemes. If the regulators pursued carrier misbehavior with as much vigor as they do policing attorneys, public adjusters and contractors, we might see a better environment for Florida policyholders
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FEMA 50% Rule: Rising Above Challenges and Learning from the Past—What’s the Real Story?

Insurance Nightmare Unfolding for Florida Homeowners

Homeowners Hit by Helene Are In for an Insurance Claim Shock

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

Filing a Property Insurance Claim – From Confusion to Clarity

ABC Action News Explains Florida’s Property Insurance Disaster

40 Years of Contributing to the Public Adjusting Profession

Hurricane Ian One Year Later: Policyholders Await Justice Amidst a Storm of Bureaucracy

Understanding EML and PML: The Dilemma Facing Policyholders in Property Insurance

The Florida Insurance Crisis and Hurricane Ian – This isn't Getting Better

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