Additional Living Expenses Explained for Those Impacted by Hurricane Milton

Additional Living Expenses Explained for Those Impacted by Hurricane Milton

Florida homeowners with severe damage from Hurricane Milton to the extent that their residence is uninhabitable, may have an insurance policy that provides a coverage called “Additional Living Expense” or “A.L.E.” if it is a covered loss. Under the Additional Living Expense coverage, you and your family may be entitled to rent another home of the same size, like kind and quality as well as be reimbursed for any extra expenses you incur such as food and temporary lodging.


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The Clock is Ticking: Hurricane Ian Claims Deadline Approaching

The Clock is Ticking: Hurricane Ian Claims Deadline Approaching

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.


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Public Adjuster Tips to Protect Your Hurricane Debby Insurance Claim

Public Adjuster Tips to Protect Your Hurricane Debby Insurance Claim

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.


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40 Years of Contributing to the Public Adjusting Profession

40 Years of Contributing to the Public Adjusting Profession
It's been quite the whirlwind at Tutwiler & Associates! This year we are celebrating our 40th 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

Hurricane Ian One Year Later: Policyholders Await Justice Amidst a Storm of Bureaucracy
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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Upholding Claims Handling Practices to the Highest Standards is a Key to Solving Florida’s Insurance Crisis – Will the Florida Legislature Take Action?

Upholding Claims Handling Practices to  the Highest Standards is a Key to Solving Florida’s Insurance Crisis – Will the Florida Legislature Take Action?

Insurers slashed Hurricane Ian payouts far below damage estimates, documents and insiders reveal - The Washington Post

We all acknowledge there are good and bad actors in every industry. Unfortunately, we see these deplorable activities firsthand when policyholders call us frustrated after trying to settle their claim. I hope the Florida Legislature acts alongside the Department of Insurance and regulators to put oversight in place that will place severe consequences on individuals or companies preventing policyholders from getting a fair claims settlement. This is the type of oversight needed that can only help to stem the litigation crisis. Fortunately, most of those I interact with in the insurance claims industry are trying to do right by the policyholder. Let’s give the policyholders the freedom to pick and choose what resources they require to get a fair settlement.


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Insurance Carriers Create Policyholder Recovery Issues with Poor Claims Practices

Let’s hope the FL legislators take a hard look at the sloppy claims practices and delay tactics that are hindering Hurricane Ian recovery during the special session on insurance reform next week. Insurance carriers and their claims departments should be put under the same scrutiny as Public Adjusters and Attorneys. Maybe if the carriers start getting fined they will treat their policyholders more fairly rather than trying to save a buck. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case based on our experience. https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/state/hurricane-ian-victims-struggling-with-insurance-claim-payouts-seek-help-from-public-adjusters


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Hurricane Ian Policyholders Can Benefit from Lessons Learned after Superstorm Sandy

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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Hurricane Ian Update From a Public Adjuster’s Perspective

Hurricane Ian Update From a Public Adjuster’s Perspective
Here is what we are seeing and advice on how property owners can handle and avoid potential problems with their flood and wind insurance claims.  As tremendous losses continue to mount, many recovering from Hurricane Ian are realizing their insurance companies are not paying policy limits for flood and wind claims, as reported by the Cape Coral Breeze in an article on October 14, 2022. Officials told a crowd of several dozen to stay persistent in working with National Flood insurance companies on getting reimbursement and compensation for work to repair homes, while other owners we have spoken to have already received denial letters. 
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Insurance Claim Tips as Hurricane Ian Races Towards the Florida Gulf Coast

Insurance Claim Tips as Hurricane Ian Races Towards the Florida Gulf Coast

We pay good money to insure our property, while hoping never to have to file claim. When disaster strikes 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 and a check will be forthcoming in a reasonable amount of time. In our 38-years of practicing public adjusting, with storms like Hurricane Ian, we unfortunately see too many cases where this is not the case.


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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