Property Insurance Coverage Law

APRIL 5, 2025

A recent public records request byTampa Bay Timesreporter Lawrence Mower has uncovered a revealing memo from Floridas Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) that could mark a major turning point in how the state handles insurance regulation. The document, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, details a proposal to reunify the states fragmented insurance oversight … The post Floridas Divided Insurance Regulation Is Under Fire and for Good Reason appeared first on Property Insurance

Property Insurance

Property Insurance Coverage Law

FEBRUARY 23, 2025

Investigative reporter Lawrence Mower deserves some type of award and thanks. His work has unveiled a deeply concerning pattern within Florida’s insurance industry, noted in the story: Secret Study Found Florida Insurers Sent Billions to Affiliates While Crying Poor. While insurers have publicly lamented their financial hardships, Mower’s findings reveal that these companies have been … The post Secret Report Proves Florida Insurance Executives Wrongful Self-Dealing appeared fi

Property Insurance

Property Insurance Coverage Law

FEBRUARY 22, 2025

As Florida residents, we know that hurricane season can be relentless. But what happens when two hurricanes strike in the same season? How do insurance claims work when your home has already been damaged once? A recent Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) Bulletin clarifies how insurers must handle claims for multiple hurricanes. If youre … The post Florida Insurance Regulators Demand Fair Treatment for Policyholders appeared first on Property Insurance Coverage Law Blog.

Policyholder

Property Insurance Coverage Law

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

A new bill filed in the Florida Senate by Don Gaetz is making waves by proposing that insurance companies disclose the financial relationships of their executives and related entities. The legislation would require a report detailing the compensation of executives, including salaries, stock options, bonuses, stock buybacks, and other taxable payments.

Compensation

Property Insurance Coverage Law

JULY 27, 2025

In the latest episode of Claim Game, I sat down with Steven Bush to dissect the state of insurance claims handling, particularly following major catastrophes like hurricanes or wildfires. This conversation offers a revealing look at how the claims process is evolving and, in many cases, not for the better when it comes to policyholders’ … The post A Deep Dive into Insurance Claims: Insights from Chip Merlin’s Interview with Steven Bush appeared first on Property Insurance Coverage Law Blog

Insurance Claim

Property Insurance Coverage Law

JULY 22, 2025

A recent Texas decision serves as a warning to policyholders and public adjusters about relying on the appraisal process to revive insurance claims long after an initial denial. In Pool v. State Farm Lloyds, 1 the court granted summary judgment in favor of State Farm, ruling that all of the policyholder’s claims were barred by the … The post Does Appraisal Stop the Statute of Limitations Clock?

Policyholder

Property Insurance Coverage Law

JUNE 26, 2025

The Rocky Mountain Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (RMAPIA) has produced a comprehensive and scientifically grounded guide to handling fire losses that deserves serious attention from anyone involved in the adjustment of fire-related insurance claims. 1 These RMAPIA Fire Protocols are among the most thorough documents I have seen in this area, offering not only … The post Rebuild or Risk It?

Policyholder

Property Insurance Coverage Law

JUNE 22, 2025

A recent Pennsylvania ruling offers an instructive look at the difference between blanket and scheduled insurance coverage and what policyholders must do to ensure they get the coverage they think they are buying. The case, Beazley Underwriting, Ltd. v. Max & Mia Realty, LLC, 1 arose out of a dispute following a catastrophic fire at a … The post What is The Difference Between Blanket and Scheduled Limit Insurance?

Policyholder

Property Insurance Coverage Law

JUNE 15, 2025

This Thursday at 6 p.m. EST, I’ll be joined by one of the most respected voices in insurance law and consumer protection, Professor Jay Feinman, for what promises to be a thought-provoking podcast conversation. Feinman, a Distinguished Professor of Law at Rutgers University, is the author of the nationally recognized book Delay, Deny, Defend, a searing … The post Delay, Deny, Defend: Jay Feinman Returns to Expose Insurance Industry Tactics appeared first on Property Insurance Coverage Law

Insurance Industry

Property Insurance Coverage Law

MAY 24, 2025

Appraisals serve as a valuable mechanism for resolving disagreements over the amount of loss. However, as recently illustrated in the Texas case of Rocha v. State Farm Lloyds, 1 appraisals do not resolve all questions. Specifically, they do not determine whether a particular category of damage is covered under the policy. This distinction between the … The post Appraisal Isnt Everything: Why Coverage Still Controls Insurance Payments After Appraisal appeared first on Property Insurance Cov

Damage

Property Insurance Coverage Law

MAY 16, 2025

This weeks Senate hearing on the insurance industrys claims practices following natural disasters wasnt just a made-for-TV moment. It was a five-alarm warning siren for policyholders and insurers across the country. With photos of collapsed breezeways, stories of children sleeping on floors after insurers not paying, and property insurance adjusters essentially confessing to being neutered … The post Should Congress Enact a Federal Unfair Claims Practice Law?

Claim

Property Insurance Coverage Law

MAY 6, 2025

A recent appellate decision in Woodland Villas Condominiums v. Wright National Flood Insurance Company 1 highlights a harsh reality for policyholders seeking to recover under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).Strict compliance with federal procedural requirements, especially the federal proof of loss requirement, can override substantive claims for damages, even when there is no real … The post NFIP Escapes Payment with Form Over Substance Rules: The Need for Reform of the Nation

Policyholder

Property Insurance Coverage Law

APRIL 17, 2025

Following the devastating 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, claims professionals across the country are once again on the media and actual frontlines of a crisis that extends far beyond burned structures and blackened landscapes. The physical damage is immense, but the emotional toll on survivors runs deeper and lasts longer than most realize. A recent must-read … The post Every Claims Professional Must Read Putnam Now: Emotional Recovery After Wildfire Loss appeared first on Property Insurance

Claim

Property Insurance Coverage Law

APRIL 15, 2025

Assembly Bill 597 is working its way through the California Legislature and could soon become law. If passed in its current form, the bill would severely restrict how public adjusters can charge their clients in the wake of catastrophic eventsand it is policyholders who will pay the price, as many may lose access to adjusters … The post Californias AB 597 Threatens to Limit Access to Public Adjusters After Disasters appeared first on Property Insurance Coverage Law Blog.

Policyholder

Property Insurance Coverage Law

APRIL 13, 2025

Few voices for policyholder interests and their rights have remained as consistent, credible, and compassionate as Amy Bach and her team at United Policyholders. I spent yesterday afternoon in Sonoma, California, speaking with Amy, a number of her current and former professional staff members, volunteers who have worked the Maui and Los Angeles wildfires, and … The post Amy Bach and United Policyholders: A Lasting Legacy of Advocacy and Action for Insurance Consumers appeared first on Prop

Policyholder

Property Insurance Coverage Law

MARCH 26, 2025

Property insurance adjustersboth company-employed and independentserve as the backbone of the claims process, ensuring that policyholders receive the full benefits of their coverage as swiftly and fairly as possible. Their expertise in evaluating damages, interpreting policy language, and facilitating settlements is essential in restoring financial stability to individuals and businesses affected by unexpected losses.

Policyholder

Property Insurance Coverage Law

MARCH 19, 2025

The California FAIR Plan, the insurer of last resort for Californians struggling to find homeowners insurance, might be better renamed the “California Unfair Plan.” While intended to be a safety net, recent investigations and a comprehensive operational assessment 1 paint a troubling picture of an institution plagued by significant inefficiencies, questionable management practices, and poor … The post Should We Call It the California Unfair Plan?

Property Insurance

Property Insurance Coverage Law

MARCH 15, 2025

Floridas homeowners have been paying ever-increasing insurance premiums, but where has all that money been going? A secret state report, which regulators conveniently left unfinished and never shared with lawmakers, might have held the answer. That is, until an investigative journalist, Lawrence Mower, pried it loose from the states grasp, as discussed in Secret Report … The post Floridas Insurance Scandal: The Incomplete Report That Almost Stayed Buried appeared first on Property Insuranc

Premium

Property Insurance Coverage Law

MARCH 13, 2025

In a recent decision that offers crucial guidance to policyholders and public adjusters about how to interpret commercial insurance contracts, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the policyholder, highlighting a key lesson about insurance policy interpretation: When insurance language is ambiguous, courts will interpret any ambiguity in favor of the policyholder. 1 At … The post Clear Language Wins the Day: Court Rules Ambiguity Favors Policyholders appeared first on Property In

Policyholder

Property Insurance Coverage Law

MARCH 10, 2025

Fraud allegations in insurance disputes are serious business. When an insurer claims a policyholder intentionally misrepresented facts, its essentially saying, “You lied, and we dont have to pay.” After insurers make that argument, they often state, If we are wrong about the fraud arguments, the most we owe is actual cash value because you did … The post Insurers Fraud and Valuation Arguments Fall Flat: Court Sends Key Issues to the Jury appeared first on Property Insurance Cov

Policyholder

Property Insurance Coverage Law

MARCH 10, 2025

Fraud allegations in insurance disputes are serious business. When an insurer claims a policyholder intentionally misrepresented facts, its essentially saying, “You lied, and we dont have to pay.” After insurers make that argument, they often state, If we are wrong about the fraud arguments, the most we owe is actual cash value because you did … The post Insurers Fraud and Valuation Arguments Fall Flat: Court Sends Key Issues to the Jury appeared first on Property Insurance Cov

Policyholder

Property Insurance Coverage Law

MARCH 4, 2025

How many of us move into a home before purchasing it? How many days do you have to move into a new home after purchase to keep your insurance coverage valid? AmGuard took the position that the new homeowner had no coverage because she was not living at the premises when she purchased the policy … The post When Does Property Insurance Coverage Start?

Property Insurance

Property Insurance Coverage Law

MARCH 4, 2025

How many of us move into a home before purchasing it? How many days do you have to move into a new home after purchase to keep your insurance coverage valid? AmGuard took the position that the new homeowner had no coverage because she was not living at the premises when she purchased the policy … The post When Does Property Insurance Coverage Start?

Property Insurance

Property Insurance Coverage Law

FEBRUARY 28, 2025

When a hurricane damages your home, you expect your insurance company to play fair. But what happens when insurers undervalue claims, drag out disputes, and then hide behind new laws to avoid accountability? Thats precisely what happened in Cindy Vo v. Scottsdale Insurance Companya case that delivered a crucial victory for policyholders in Florida. A … The post Fighting for Policyholder Rights: Florida Bad Faith Law appeared first on Property Insurance Coverage Law Blog.

Policyholder

Property Insurance Coverage Law

FEBRUARY 28, 2025

When a hurricane damages your home, you expect your insurance company to play fair. But what happens when insurers undervalue claims, drag out disputes, and then hide behind new laws to avoid accountability? Thats precisely what happened in Cindy Vo v. Scottsdale Insurance Companya case that delivered a crucial victory for policyholders in Florida. A … The post Fighting for Policyholder Rights: Florida Bad Faith Law appeared first on Property Insurance Coverage Law Blog.

Policyholder

Property Insurance Coverage Law

FEBRUARY 11, 2025

Will My Insurer Pay Me 100% of My Contents Claim After a Wildfire Loss? Californias Insurance Commissioner Thinks They Should Without an Inventory Experiencing the loss of your home and personal belongings in a wildfire is an unimaginable hardship. The devastation from a California wildfire property damage event can leave individuals struggling to rebuild their … The post What to Expect after a California Wildfire Property Damage Event appeared first on Property Insurance Coverage Law Blog

Property Damage

Property Insurance Coverage Law

FEBRUARY 3, 2025

Jeff Raizner is one of my favorite colleagues from Texas. He has always welcomed me since I first stepped foot in Texas. We speak deeply about policyholder issues and his heart is always in the right place. We have battled insurance companies, co-counseled on cases, and discussed property insurance case law at a depth most … The post Brotherhood Mutual Hit With $35 Million Punitive Award on Roof Damage Claim appeared first on Property Insurance Coverage Law Blog.

Damage

Property Insurance Coverage Law

JULY 27, 2025

In the latest episode of Claim Game, I sat down with Steven Bush to dissect the state of insurance claims handling, particularly following major catastrophes like hurricanes or wildfires. This conversation offers a revealing look at how the claims process is evolving and, in many cases, not for the better when it comes to policyholders’ … The post A Deep Dive into Insurance Claims: Insights from Chip Merlin’s Interview with Steven Bush appeared first on Property Insurance Coverage Law Blog

Insurance Claim

Property Insurance Coverage Law

JULY 23, 2025

Note: This guest post is by Sarah Parker, an educator and founder of Parker Public Adjusting, TheClaim.Directory, and Kuva Media, and a CPAU Certified Appraiser/Umpire. Everyone in the property insurance industry will experience something similar to this at some point: you’ve just passed your licensing exam, and received notice that your new license application was … The post From Lost Newcomer to Industry Connector—How One Public Adjuster Built a Directory to Bridge the Knowledge Ga

Claim

Property Insurance Coverage Law

JULY 20, 2025

Umpires and appraisers should always carry errors and omissions coverage. This lesson is evident from a recent opinion in First Protective Insurance Company v. O’Leary, 1 which affirmed the district court’s denial of arbitral immunity for an appraisal umpire. This holding has broad implications for the scope of protections afforded to professionals who serve in the … The post Can Umpires and Appraisers Be Sued by Parties Losing an Appraisal?

Property Insurance

Property Insurance Coverage Law

JULY 20, 2025

Umpires and appraisers should always carry errors and omissions coverage. This lesson is evident from a recent opinion in First Protective Insurance Company v. O’Leary, 1 which affirmed the district court’s denial of arbitral immunity for an appraisal umpire. This holding has broad implications for the scope of protections afforded to professionals who serve in the … The post Can Umpires and Appraisers Be Sued by Parties Losing an Appraisal?

Property Insurance

Property Insurance Coverage Law

JUNE 27, 2025

A new Alaska law explicitly makes it illegal to depreciate the expense of labor in residential property insurance claims unless very specific conditions are met. Section 89 of Senate Bill 132 adds a new statute to the Alaska Insurance Code: Sec. 21.60.030. Depreciation of labor. In a residential property policy, the valuation of the expense of labor … The post Depreciation of Labor: Alaska Says Don’t Do It appeared first on Property Insurance Coverage Law Blog.

Property Insurance

Property Insurance Coverage Law

JUNE 3, 2025

When vandals triggered a sprinkler system in a vacant building, flooding it with over one million gallons of water, the result was not just property damage. Instead, it was a lawsuit that put the scope of all-risk commercial property insurance under scrutiny. The case ofEpperson v. Lexington Insurance Company, 1 recently decided by an Ohio … The post When Vandals Trigger the Sprinklers: The Battle Over Resulting Losses appeared first on Property Insurance Coverage Law Blog.

Commercial Property

Property Insurance Coverage Law

MAY 27, 2025

A recent court decision in Sublett v. Westfield Insurance Company 1 shows how even well-intentioned policyholders can lose a flood insurance claim before their lawsuit ever begins. This case is not just about a technical legal loss. It is about a family trying to recover from flood damage to their home and finding themselves out … The post Top Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Flood Insurance Claim appeared first on Property Insurance Coverage Law Blog.

Insurance Claim

Property Insurance Coverage Law

MAY 27, 2025

A recent court decision in Sublett v. Westfield Insurance Company 1 shows how even well-intentioned policyholders can lose a flood insurance claim before their lawsuit ever begins. This case is not just about a technical legal loss. It is about a family trying to recover from flood damage to their home and finding themselves out … The post Top Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Flood Insurance Claim appeared first on Property Insurance Coverage Law Blog.

Insurance Claim

Property Insurance Coverage Law

MAY 25, 2025

Slide Insurances recently filed registration statement with the SEC to become a public company marks a bold step for a relatively young Florida-based insurer. Spearheaded by its high-profile founder and CEO, Bruce Lucas, the company is seeking to position itself as an innovative and dominant player in Floridasnotoriously volatile insurance market. With a reputation already … The post The Real Risk in Slide Insurances IPO Isnt Hurricanes, But Its Claims Philosophy appeared first on Property

Claim

Property Insurance Coverage Law

MAY 18, 2025

A recent decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals inAltschuler v. Chubb National Insurance Company1 reaffirms some foundational insurance principles when it comes to proof of ownership and the handling of claims for unique, high-value property. The ruling also provides insight into how Arizona courts evaluate claims of bad faith, a standard that has … The post Lessons on Ownership Proof and the Evolving Standard of Bad Faith in Arizona appeared first on Property Insurance Coverage La

Property Insurance