United Policyholders

 

  

Florida Road Map to Recovery

 

Back to State Road Maps to Recovery



For more state specific information go to our Florida State Help page.

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United Policyholders offers the information at this site to aid the residents of the communities who have lost so much in Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne. Our goal is to simplify the insurance claim process and offer practical help on getting fair and prompt insurance settlements. Our approach is outlined in the materials posted at this website.

Our organization is made up of professionals and volunteers with many years of expertise and knowledge about insurance coverage and total loss claims. We are proud to offer the survivors of the Florida hurricanes the benefit of our twelve years of experience throughout the United States. UP will be doing its part to ensure that the survivors of these disasters get the fair treatment and claim service they paid for and are entitled to from their insurance companies.

We welcome feedback and e-mail at info@unitedpolicyholders.org.

You will need the free Acrobat Reader installed on your computer in order to view most of these documents.

Claims Tips

Start by reading our Flood Insurance Claims Tips. This is your Roadmap to Recovery and fair settlement with your insurance company.

In addition, this page contains the following four sections of information we have collected to assist you in your recovery efforts:

Florida Flood and Storm Damage Insurance Claim Help:

  1. United Policyholders Claim Tips and Info
  2. Local Resources
  3. Florida Insurance Laws and Regulations
  4. Hurricane Information, Contacts, and Links

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1) United Policyholders Claim Tips and Info

Organizing Carrier-Specific Groups
This document outlines UP's time-tested program for communities hit by disaster. The concept is simple, but it works!

Sample Forms Documenting Your Loss

Resources for Overcoming Obstacles

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2) Local Resources


FEMA Info.US
This site was recently created as an informational resource run "by the victims, for the victims, of catastrophes". It is not affiliated in any way with FEMA or any government agency. This site is intended to help victims receive the compensation they are entitled to and justice in the event they are mistreated. Read the "Frequently Asked Questions" and "Common Problems" sections for useful information about what flood insurance policies cover, how the NFIP works, and what insurance claim problems survivors may face.

Florida Department of Financial Services
This is the state agency that regulates insurance companies in Florida. Call their toll-free Consumer Helpline to file a complaint against an insurance company or agent and get help with any aspect of your claim including lowballing, delays, rotating adjusters or other common problems.

The Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers
AFTL is a trade association that includes lawyers who are experienced in civil trials. This is a good resource for finding a lawyer who can effectively represent a policyholder in resolving a claim dispute. This specialty is known as "insurance coverage and bad faith law." To find one in your area, call AFTL or go to their website and click on "insurance bad faith" under "specialty" in the Find an Attorney area at: http://www.aftl.org/findAtt.asp. Don't enter a city or town, just enter the subject matter.

The National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters
NAPIA is a trade association of public adjusters. Public adjusters are different from the adjusters who work for insurance companies. You can hire a public adjuster, (a "P.A.") to help prepare, file, adjust, and negotiate the settlement of your insurance claim, but use caution. A public adjuster's fee is a generally a percentage that gets deducted from the insurance company's claim payments to you. A P.A. is supposed to add value to and expedite your claim, not slow it down or cost you money. To find an experienced and reliable public adjuster in your area you can start with http://www.napia.com/search/index.as. As with any professional you hire, make sure to check references and license status. Talk to at least one satisfied customer before hiring a public adjuster, and note that Florida law restricts public adjusters from charging more than a 10% fee. If you 're dissatisfied with your P.A. and can't resole the problems directly with them, contact the Florida Dept. of Financial Services (see above).

State Bar of Florida
All lawyers practicing in the state of Florida must be members of the State Bar, pay dues, and comply with professional conduct rules. The State Bar and its website are a resource for consumers who need legal help. You can get help finding the right lawyer and get help resolving any disputes or problems that arise between you and your lawyer. The Florida State Bar does not have a specific referral category for policyholder attorneys, but that is what you need if you have a problem with an insurance claim. (See link to the Florida Academy of Trial Attorneys for referrals to insurance and bad faith specialists.)

Florida Consumer Action Network
Founded in December 1984, FCAN builds grassroots support on important consumer issues, works with government agencies and the media, and lobbies elected officials. In addition to insurance, they advocate for consumers on issues related to health care, utilities, environment, consumer rights, and firearms regulation.

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3) Florida Regulations

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4) Flood Information, Contacts, and Links

NOTE: All these links will open in new browser windows which you can close to return here.

Florida Dept of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR):

Other State of Florida

Volunteer Efforts Information:

FEMA

Hurricane News, Images, Info, Maps

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United Policyholders is a non-profit organization founded in 1991 and dedicated to educating the public on insurance issues and consumer rights. UP publishes educational materials and serves as a resource for individual and business policyholders and residents of communities with insurance problems. UP’s Amicus Project provides information to courts of law to support policyholders’ legal rights. UP unites policyholders and their advocates by sharing information. Write to UP at 110 Pacific Ave., PMB 262, San Francisco, CA. 94111, call us at (510) 763-9740, or visit our website at www.unitedpolicyholders.org.

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The information presented in this Site is for general informational purposes, and should not be taken as legal advice. If you have a specific legal issue or problem, United Policyholders recommends that you consult with an attorney. United Policyholders does not sell insurance or certify, endorse or warrant insurance products or vendors. United Policyholders is not a referral service.