Church is out, and we’ve howdied and shook our way through Dallas—officially wrapping up the 2025 Annual Windstorm Insurance Conference in true Texas fashion! They say everything’s bigger in Texas, and this year’s conference proved it. With 740 attendees, 60 exhibitors, non-profits, and key stakeholders gathering in the Lone Star State, WIND 2025 once again solidified its status as a must-attend event for professionals dedicated to advancing the windstorm and property insurance claims industry. From insightful discussions to thought-provoking workshops, the conference fostered a balanced exchange of perspectives—uniting all members with a common goal: driving meaningful improvements that benefit both industry professionals and the consumers we serve. 
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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.

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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

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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. 
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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.  

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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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Every year, the insurance lobby tells us insurance companies are losing money, yet lawmakers pass laws and reforms stripping consumers' rights, permitting insurers to delay legitimate claims, and implementing preferred contractor network repair programs that enrich contractors working for insurance companies, rather than insurers indemnifying homeowners for their claims. Additionally, there has not been any real and demonstrative evidence lawmakers can show to support how laws and reforms enacted last year have been protective. All things considered; I am not seeing any financial relief forthcoming for homeowners, especially given the many proposed expansions to the upcoming special legislative session. 

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So let me see if I have this right. Of course, I have this right! Déjà vu all over again. Within House Bill 305 there is language that not only treads on but stomps on the rights of two business entities which by the way are both licensed and pay fees to two branches of the Florida state government in order to conduct legal and necessary business. Why else would they be issued a license and required to mail fees to Tallahassee if they were not legal and necessary?

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This is about the time in the insurance claims settlement cycle that we start getting calls from property owners living in condos, who are looking for help following property damage to their building that impacted their unit. This often takes the form of damage to the unit owner’s property, including their personal property as well as items such as carpet, other types of floor covering, trim items such as door frames, baseboards, cabinets and the list goes on depending on the type and severity of the damage and the wording in their condominium documents. When a covered casualty event occurs, whether it is from wind, water, fire, or the dreaded “mold” word, the finger pointing starts and in many cases the unit owner is caught in the middle.

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I was happy to offer some quick insurance claim tips to Hurricane Michael property owners along with Scott Bedell from Master Restoration. We're already taking calls and our Panama City Public Adjusters will be establishing an office next week. Our prayers go out to all the affected residents. This is going to be a long haul and we'll see the same insurance claim issues as we've seen with other storms and I'm sure we'll see a few new twists. The insurance claim settlement challenges will be omnipresent and we'll be sharing our perspective on the developments has they happen along with some claim tips. Send us any of your questions about Hurricane Michael insurance claims so we can share them with our readers. Stay tuned!

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