Doing Business in Florida Blog

Hung Out to Dry: Property Insurance Cancellation

June 24, 2021
Gina Clausen Lozier  |  Hurricane Preparedness, Atlantic Hurricane Season, Policy Cancellation

Following the recent wave of policy cancellations and non-renewals, many of Florida’s property owners are left wondering whether cancellation of their policy is imminent and, if so, how long will they have to find new insurance. The cancellation of an insurance policy always a concerns but even more time-sensitive during hurricane season. Fortunately, the cancellation of certain property insurance policies during a hurricane event is governed by Florida Statute Section 627.4133(2)(d), which outlines the various requirements and time frames Florida’s insurers must follow.

Storm Season Water Quality Outlook in South Florida

June 21, 2021
Sidney C. Bigham, III  |  Hurricane Preparedness Week , Hurricane Preparedness, Atlantic Hurricane Season, Lake Okeechobee

In May of 2021, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expressed concerns about water levels at Lake Okeechobee, stating that: “with the lake at the level it is now, we're really concerned and bracing for the Corps to discharge. And that's not, we think, the way we want to go forward." With the onset of the wet season and what could be an active hurricane season this year, the Governor and some lawmakers are urging the Army Corps not to discharge Lake Okeechobee to canals and rivers to the east and west, but to send the water south to the Everglades. The reason is simple: toxic algae bloom in the waters of Lake Okeechobee, spurred on by the summer heat, threatens to impact residents and tourists who use south Florida waterways for business and recreation. 

Mental Health: Coping with Hurricane Season During a Global Pandemic

July 16, 2020
Mental Health, Hurricane Preparedness, COVID-19

For many of us, it is not the physical symptoms of Covid-19 that plagues us but rather the isolation, the uncertainty and fear that has mentally pushed us to the breaking point. And as if all of that was not enough, along comes hurricane season and the high likelihood that over the next couple of months Covid-19 will have to share center stage with reports of tropical storms, hurricane watches, and hurricane warnings as storms develop hundreds of miles away off the coast of foreign lands and slowly advance towards us.

Protecting Trade Secrets When a Hurricane Hits During a Pandemic

July 15, 2020
Gavin C. Gaukroger  |  Trade Secrets , Hurricane Preparedness, Atlantic Hurricane Season, Hurricane Insurance Claims

With more and more employees working from home or other places remotely from their normal brick and mortar office buildings, employers with protectable trade secrets have an added stress when a hurricane looms -- to safeguard their valuable confidential business and professional information from exposure or loss.  The Covid-19 pandemic presents many similarities to the burdens caused by a pending hurricane.  
 

Learn Your ABC’s: Understanding Your Basic Homeowner’s Insurance Coverage

July 14, 2020
Gina Clausen Lozier  |  Hurricane Preparedness, Atlantic Hurricane Season, Hurricane Insurance Claims

Third DCA rules Pre-2018 policy renewals only require Notice of Policy Change and Notice of Mediation Rights is only required once dispute arises

July 13, 2020
Madelyn Rodriguez  |  Hurricane Insurance Claims, Hurricane Preparedness

In its recent decision in People’s Trust Insurance Company v. Lavadie, Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal addressed the requirements for notice of policy changes and notice of mediation availability. The underlying loss involved damage to the insureds’ home caused by a water leak in April 2016. The insurance company acknowledged coverage for the loss and notified the insured homeowners that it would be using its contractor to repair the damage. The homeowners provided the insurance company with their contractor’s estimate, which was significantly higher than the insurance company’s estimate. In response, the insurance company sent a letter advising the homeowners of mediation’s availability to attempt to resolve the dispute. The insurance company also sent a letter demanding an appraisal of the claim. After the homeowners refused to proceed with the appraisal, the insurance company filed suit. 

What You Need To Know About Construction Weather Delay Claims

Jeffrey S. Wertman  |  Hurricane Preparedness, Hurricane Season, Construction

Inclement weather particularly tropical storms and hurricanes can have a devastating economic impact on a construction project. There may be labor cost overruns, material cost overruns, equipment rental overruns and disruption of cash flow due to time extensions and interest payments, just to name a few. Planning for and understanding weather delays claims will help construction businesses avoid disputes.

VLOG - How is a hurricane's path predicted?

October 7, 2018
Gina Clausen Lozier  |  Hurricane Preparedness

VLOG - The Peak of Hurricane Season: Why Now?

September 6, 2018
Gina Clausen Lozier  |  Hurricane Preparedness

It's now the peak of hurricane season. Hurricane season officially begins June 1, and generally, the peak is from mid-August to the middle of October. Why do we see the peak at this time of the year? Watch now to find out!

The Clock is Ticking on Your Hurricane Irma Loss

August 12, 2018
Christopher B. Choquette  |  Hurricane Preparedness, Insurance

The upcoming date of September 10, 2018 is an important one for Florida’s policyholders as it is the anniversary of Hurricane Irma. It also means policyholders only have two more years to report their Hurricane Irma claim, supplemental claim, or re-opened claim. In 2011, Florida’s legislature passed a law that limited the amount of time for insureds to

Mandatory Mediation and Your Property Insurance Claim

August 5, 2018
Christopher B. Choquette  |  Hurricane Preparedness, Insurance

The mounting number of property insurance claims following Hurricane Irma has provided new challenges for Florida’s insurance companies. With close to one million hurricane claims filed across the state, insurance companies are looking towards alternative methods to resolve claims. As an alternative to litigation, insurance companies are increasingly

Did Your Insurance Company Pass the Grade?

August 1, 2018
Christopher B. Choquette  |  Hurricane Preparedness, Insurance

Weiss Ratings, an independent ratings agency, released its 2018 grades for property insurance companies doing $100 million or more premium business in Florida. The ratings are based on whether the insurance company is financially prepared for the 2018 hurricane season. The insurers that scored a Weiss Safety Rating of “A” include Cincinnati Insurance Co.