Many Florida homeowners are shocked to learn that there is no state law constituting the disclosure of a house’s flooding history. In certain states like Texas, homeowners need to disclose that their home has flooded before and if there is a flood risk for the property. In states like Florida however, where there is a higher flood risk, there is no need to disclose if a property has undergone flooding before.
There is evidence of homes being sold across Florida that were damaged in hurricanes such as Irma. If these homes were damaged due to excessive flooding in a hurricane or tropical storm, there’s no need for the past owner to disclose this information. Insurance claims across Florida have been denied as a result of severe repetitive loss to the property.
Severe repetitive loss is a term that insurance companies can use if a property regularly experiences damages that have separate insurance claims on them. If you have ever experienced major damage to your home and it has had many insurance claims against it, you could be denied your claim no matter how severe the damage is to your home.
You may have to find out more about the history of your property and its history with flooding until you begin seeking compensation from an insurance company. Agencies may also delay payment as they are examining the history of your property with flooding. If a company refuses to pay compensation as a result of severe repetitive loss, you may want to consider contacting an attorney so that you can pursue compensation further. Until laws regarding flood disclosure change in Florida, you may need the assistance of an attorney to make sure that you can access compensation when it’s required.
Contact us today if you are having problems with severe repetitive loss and your insurance claim.
This post was written by Kelly-Anne Jenkins of Jenkins Law P.L. Kelly-Anne is a property damage attorney. She specializes in insurance claims and property damage. The information on this site is not intended to and does not offer legal advice, legal recommendations or legal representation on any matter. Hiring an attorney is an important decision, which should not be based on advertising. You need to consult an attorney for legal advice regarding your individual situation.
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