Property damage attorney Joseph Maus has been assisting the victims of property damage due to severe weather in South Florida since 1993.
Most of the time, South Florida is viewed as a mecca for nice weather. Sunny skies and warm temperatures encourage a healthy, outdoor lifestyle. During the rainy season, March through October, every year, extreme weather conditions can occur. Record high temperatures and humidity, strong gale-force storms and the ever-present threat of a full-blown hurricane striking, all make our home susceptible to property damages. Due to the history of severe weather striking out area, many homeowners experience an annual increase in their property insurance, i.e., homeowner’s insurance rates.
Homeowner’s insurance companies are required to submit a proposal to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) every year so that the rate increase can be reviewed. Heritage Property & Casualty Insurance Company recently submitted a proposed rate increase of 14.9 percent on its 180,000 Florida policyholders. After an uproar from Florida Consumer Advocate and an OIR review, the company promptly withdrew its application to increase the premiums. The application can be refiled in the future.
The website insurancejournal.com stated in its article
that, “In Miami-Dade counties, Heritage’s proposed increases for HO-3 policies were as high as 22.2 percent; it requested a 25 percent increase in Martin County. In Broward and Palm Beach, the requested rate increases were 21.4 percent and 22.4 percent”. The company cited “tornados” as the reason for the premium increase. (source: http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2016/07/13/419953.htm)
If you have had property damage it is important that you carefully read your homeowner’s insurance policy to make sure that you have the coverage you think you have and are paying for. When it is time to make a claim, call the Maus Law Firm. We can make sure your claim form is filled out and submitted properly and can advise you of your legal rights. You may have to sue your insurance company if they refuse to pay or underpay your claim. Call us today.