Posts by Charles R. Tutwiler

Property Insurance Claim Question: Law & Ordinance Coverage

Q.  What would be a reasonable estimate one could make for in adding this Ordinance or Law coverage?  I read your paper Law & Ordinance Coverage, Is it Illusionary? (very informative/readable and liked his coined term "Nature's Casino") this is what an insurance company attached to their policy application. I was laid off from work and am working with extremely limited funds.  If you could direct me to a resource or person who could answer my question it would be sincerely appreciated.
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Severe Flood and Wind Damage Claims Pose Equal Threat to Bigger Hurricane Events

Given the severe localized flooding to parts of Southern and the east coast of Florida this past week due to heavy rains, it’s timely to point out that it only takes one storm to trigger a property insurance claim that can decimate your property value. It’s interesting to note a recent article that reviews worldwide property loss stats. While we haven’t had a large catastrophe event it points out that a larger group of smaller storms can still impact insurance rates and property values. Smaller losses, as we have seen in our practice, can still create time consuming claim complications. The time to identify your “claims team” is before you suffer your loss. Work with your insurance agent to fully understand the claims process. Then identify trusted public adjusters, restoration contractors, and yes even property insurance attorneys so you don’t fall upon the predatory few that will try to make a buck from your loss.  


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Public Adjuster Gives Back to Local Community

Public Adjuster Gives Back to Local Community

As Public Adjusters, helping homeowners and businesses with their insurance claims is our business. But our firm has always believed in giving back to the local communities we serve. Congratulations to Public Adjuster, Michael Platts who recently presented copies of the Of The Declaration, Constitution and Bill of Rights to Mr. Perez, Social Studies teachers and Mr. Hart, Principal of Monroe Middle School. Thanks to Mike’s efforts, every 8th grader will now have a personal copy for their upcoming Constitutional Studies class. We’re proud of you Mike!


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Condominium Pipe Leak Damages Lower Units. It’s more complicated than you think

Water damage to lower units is a common insurance claim we frequently see in condominium communities. Believe it or not, this can become a complicated claim depending on where the leak originated, the specific damage that was caused by the leak and if the cause of the damage is the result of someone’s negligence or just faulty plumbing. We came across a good overview of this situation in a Herald Tribune article and encourage you to read it. Regardless, make sure you quickly contact all parties if this type of insurance loss occurs and consider putting a public adjuster on your team to avoid claim denials and proper compensation.


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Proof of Loss Property Insurance Claim Requirements in Florida

A recent opinion of Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeals involving a Hurricane Wilma homeowner’s claim has a rather startling decision, and not a good one for the policyholder side. The case Hunt v. State Farm highlights the need for policyholders to pay close attention to their claim, their insurance policy language and any communication they receive from their insurance company. This is particularly true given the results of this case on the requirement to file a proof of loss.
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Policyholder Question: Shower Pan Leak Claim – Is it Covered?

Here is an insurance claim question that we recently were asked to weigh in on as a contributing member of insurance claim experts for United Policyholders who advocates for property owners. 

Q. My shower pan or the drain was leaking slowly. I had a piece of carpet over the carpet at the door of the shower and did not realize it. There is mold through to the sub floor under the pan and the carpeted area which we can see on the ceiling under the shower in the basement. I have Total Protect homeowners. They said it was not the plumbing so will not pay. My regular home insurance is with Allstate. Their representative told me they never pay for a pan leak even if it is the drain or pan itself. I pay for all of this insurance and then they refuse to accept responsibility. What do I do?


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How Emergency Contractors Can Hijack Your Insurance Claim

Action 9 News in Orlando recently did a story about a homeowner who experienced a water loss and quickly hired an emergency contractor who tore out the damaged portion of the kitchen and then kept the insurance proceeds without finishing the job. The conclusion of the report was to strongly recommend that folks that have an insurable loss not sign an all-inclusive right to proceeds contract with a contractor. 


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Gary A. Poliakoff Esq. – A Condominium & Homeowners Association Pioneer and Advocate

I was very sorry to read in the South Florida Business Journal about the untimely passing of Attorney Gary Poliakoff.  Gary Poliakoff was a giant in the field of shared community and condominium living. Along with his partner Allen Becker, they founded Becker & Poliakoff headquartered in Ft Lauderdale Florida that over the years has become a legal juggernaut. The name Becker & Poliakoff has become a brand in and of itself and is synonymous with any issues involving communal property living. 
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The Unlicensed Practice of Public Adjusting – A Restoration Contractor Responds

Our blog of August 5, The Unlicesed Practice of Public Adjusting – The Claims Keep Rolling In  continues to receive comments from many viewpoints and we appreciate the feedback and dialogue in hopes of responsibly addressing the issue. In an attempt to give fair and balanced coverage to the issue, we publish below a comment from Mr. Ron Reese of First General Property Restoration who operates out of Idaho.  I thank Mr. Reese for the time he put into the reply.


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What Happens When The Insurance Company Can’t Pay Your Property Claim?

As public adjusters, we typically focus on helping our clients get a fair settlement for their claim based on the insurance policy in place. However, a recent article Yet another costly mistake Florida has made about homeonwers insurance points out that 8 years into a long period of no major storms in Florida, we continue to see some insurance companies going under.
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"On Property" Insurance Claim Tips Blog

Tips and advice about how to properly file and protect your property damage insurance claim and get a fair settlement. We invite all readers to ask questions about their claim so our public adjusters can post answers for others to benefit. Insurance claim expert guest bloggers welcome to submit posts via our contact form.

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Local Office

Tutwiler & Associates Public Adjusters, Inc.
Licensed Public Insurance Adjusters & Loss Consultants
Offices: Tampa, Orlando, Palm City, Ft. Myers, Florida; Dallas, TX; Pittsburgh, PA

Executive Office
4300 W. Cypress St.
Suite 780
Tampa, FL 33607
Phone: 813.287.8090
Toll Free: 800.321.4488

Licensed in Florida # W840088 &
Texas #1399706 plus 16 other states
and the Virgin Islands