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

by Rick Tutwiler on 11/26/2024
FEMA 50% Rule: Rising Above Challenges and Learning from the Past—What’s the Real Story?
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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Public Adjuster Tips for Navigating Your Hurricane Helene Flood Insurance Claim

by Rick Tutwiler on 9/27/2024
Public Adjuster Tips for Navigating Your Hurricane Helene Flood Insurance Claim
Hurricane Helene will produce all kinds of flood claim issues and conflicts with wind related water damage. We believe National Flood will waive the Proof of Loss deadline requirement so look for an extension to the time frame. We’ve revived a very popular blog on understanding flood where our talented staff of public adjusters shared some of the best tips they could think of for handling a flood claim. The following are some tips that hopefully will help folks should they have flood coverage.
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Expert Insights: Public Adjuster Reveals Key Flood Claim Strategies & Hurricane Idalia Updates for Policyholders

by Rick Tutwiler on 9/8/2023
Expert Insights: Public Adjuster Reveals Key Flood Claim Strategies & Hurricane Idalia Updates for Policyholders

Since Hurricane Idalia impacted Florida’s west coast, our public adjusters have been besieged with questions about flood claims. I also noticed from initial state claims data that many claims are being closed without payment. This may be due to policyholders not understanding what is covered under their homeowner's policy vs. their flood policy, if they have one. We are receiving concerning feedback from policyholders who are feeling frustrated in the initial stages of the claims process, especially from the moment they report their first notice of loss.  


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Public Adjuster Tips for Handling Your Hurricane Idalia Flood Insurance Claim

by Rick Tutwiler on 8/31/2023
We’ve revived a very popular blog for the benefit of Hurricane Idalia property owners on understanding flood where our talented staff of public adjusters share some of the best tips they could think of for handling a flood claim. The following are some tips that hopefully will help folks should they have flood coverage. Remember flood insurance is a separate policy from your standard homeowners insurance and covered under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Private insurers also sell under this program. A standard homeowners policy “will not” cover flood defined as rising water. Standard policies will cover wind driven rain or any moisture coming from above such as roof leaks.
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    Hurricane Ian Policyholders Can Benefit from Lessons Learned after Superstorm Sandy

    by Rick Tutwiler on 11/1/2022
    Hurricane Ian Policyholders Can Benefit from Lessons Learned after Superstorm Sandy
    Every day, clients ask questions about the claims adjusting process. Recently, a client and retired home builder affected by Hurricane Ian asked me, how much insurance company adjusters make? I probed, “Why do you ask?” The response, “My insurance company has sent 5 different people to inspect my roof damage and the amount they're paying these people is probably more than the cost to replace my roof!”
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    "On Property" Insurance Claim Tips Blog

    Tips and advice about how to properly file and protect your property damage insurance claim and get a fair settlement. We invite all readers to ask questions about their claim so our public adjusters can post answers for others to benefit. Insurance claim expert guest bloggers welcome to submit posts via our contact form.

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    Local Office

    Tutwiler & Associates Public Adjusters, Inc.
    Licensed Public Insurance Adjusters & Loss Consultants
    Offices: Tampa, Orlando, Palm City, Florida; Dallas, TX; Pittsburgh, PA

    Executive Office
    4300 W. Cypress St.
    Suite 780
    Tampa, FL 33607
    Phone: 813.287.8090
    Toll Free: 800.321.4488

    Licensed in Florida # W840088 &
    Texas #1399706 plus 16 other states
    and the Virgin Islands