What are my rights as a homeowner when sustaining sinkhole damage?
All insurance companies licensed to do business in Florida must offer sinkhole coverage, usually as an addendum or rider to an existing policy, and for an additional premium charge. Furthermore, Florida law requires that once a sinkhole insurance claim is filed, the insurance company must send (at no cost to you) a geotechnical engineering firm to perform tests to eliminate sinkhole activity within a certain level of confidence. Therefore, the burden of proving that sinkhole activity is not present is shifted to the insurance company. Since the insurance company selects the testing firm, this may lead to a denial of your sinkhole claim. If you feel your sinkhole claim has been wrongfully denied, please contact the insurance claims lawyer J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo for a free consultation.
