Owning a home is part of the American Dream, and more and more families are living that dream by purchasing a home to call their own. According to the United States Census Bureau , the current average homeownership rate in the South is over 65%, with a 78% homeownership rate for adults over the age of 65.
With its sunny weather and mild climate, Florida attracts a large number of retirees each year, with many of them settling into homeownership. Unfortunately, homeownership can come with unanticipated complications. From hurricanes, failing sump pumps, flooding, and countless other issues, the potential for property damage is as prevalent as ever.
When your property is damaged, it’s time to call a property damage attorney in Pembroke Pines. A Pembroke Pines personal property damage lawyer understands the complexities involved with owning a home in Florida and knows how to ensure that your home is safe for your family following any damage. Call today.
Property Damage Statistics
Costs for damage protection are on the rise, with insurance premiums increasing over 3.6% recently. According to the Insurance Information Institute [1], Florida homeowners have the highest premiums in the country for property protection. With a national average premium of almost $1,200, Floridians are paying almost twice that amount, with an average cost of over $2,000 in annual protection.
Not surprisingly, property damage accounts for over 98% of all homeowner insurance claims. In terms of dollar amounts, property damage claims accounted for the top five out of the eight most frequent claim payouts, with the most expensive property damage claims being:
Fire and lightning Bodily injury Water and freezing Wind and hail All other property damageIn terms of frequency, wind and hail ranked as the most frequent cause of property damage, with water and freezing a close second, causing an average of over $12,000 in losses for each insured homeowner.
Florida is home to unique weather conditions such as hurricanes, and the property damage caused by these powerful storms is immense. According to the Insurance Information Institute [2], Florida accounted for 13% of all catastrophic losses in the United States from 1987 to 2016, costing the insurance industry over $70 billion in losses.
Hurricane Insurance
While there are generally no specific policies written for hurricane damage, a homeowner’s insurance policy will typically cover any wind damage caused during an intense storm. Florida Statutes, § 627.0629(6), forbids a policy provider from “writing [a] residential property insurance policy without providing windstorm coverage or hurricane coverage.”
This legislation was written to “assist consumers by providing [a] greater assurance that hurricane premiums are lawful and by providing more complete information regarding the components of property insurance premiums.” Flooding, however, may not be covered under an insurance policy and is typically purchased separately.
In addition to purchasing private flood insurance, the Federal Emergency and Management Agency (FEMA), created the National Flood Insurance Program with the aim to “reduce the impact of flooding on private and public structures… by providing affordable insurance to property owners, renters and businesses and by encouraging communities to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations.” The goal of this program is to “reduce the socio-economic impact of disasters by promoting the purchase and retention of general risk insurance, but also of flood insurance, specifically.”
Many times, the cost of homeowner’s insurance in a flood zone is exorbitantly expensive and too cost-prohibitive. For this reason, FEMA opens its flood insurance program to all homeowners, even if they live in areas that are prone to flooding. However, it takes 30 days after initiating a policy for it to take effect. If you purchase a policy in anticipation of an oncoming storm, it may be too late.
When do you need a property damage attorney in Pembroke Pines?
When it comes to issues of property damage, dealing with insurance companies can be complicated. Filling out the proper paperwork can be time-consuming, and if an error is made, it could affect the amount of compensation you receive. This is where a property damage attorney can help.
Understanding insurance claims is what we do at Schlacter Law. From flood and hurricane claims to fires and wind damage, our attorneys have the experience to anticipate the needs of our clients. Call our attorneys today for a consultation so we can assist you in receiving as much compensation as possible.
References
https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-homeowners-and-renters-insurance ↩https://www.schlacterlaw.com/es/abogado-de-danos-causados-por-huracanes-en-pembroke-pines/ ↩
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