SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – What happens when your property insurer goes out of business?

 

It is happening quite a bit in Florida and is leading to all policyholders paying more. The Florida Insurance Guaranty (FIGA) is adding a 1% assessment to policyholders starting in October to cover claims for insolvent companies.

 

A Seminole County couple has lived without a fully functioning kitchen for three years because their insurer went out of business. Sandra Braga Alfonso said what started as a leak under her sink has turned into a three-year nightmare. She said there was already a fight with her insurer to pay out the claim, but then the company went under and it got worse.

 

Alfonso has a fridge and an oven but is missing lower cabinets, a stove, her normal sink, and a dishwasher.  “It has been a total nightmare,” Alfonso said.

 

It started in December of 2019 with a leak under her sink, she said. She eventually discovered water in all her lower cabinets and in the sheetrock behind the cabinets, she said. The insurance company gave us approval to rip everything out that was damaged and now they don’t want to pay to put it back in,” Alfonso said.

 

While the insurance company cut a check for $4,800 of that amount, $4,300 went to water mitigation to prevent mold. That left about $500, not nearly enough to replace her kitchen, she said. “We’ve tried to settle, go to mediation, everything,” she said.

 

Finally, Alfonso and her husband filed a lawsuit against her insurer, but after two years of hearings and motions and waiting for a court date, her insurer went out of business. Alfonso has now turned to FIGA, which handles the claims of insolvent property and casualty insurance companies. They are still negotiating the amount it will take to fix her kitchen — more than three years later.

 

If your insurance company is dragging their feet or offering you a lowball check, let the experienced Florida Property Damage Attorneys at The Consumer Law Office (CLO) push your important matter and help you receive the maximum property damage compensation you are entitled to under your insurance policy.

 

Contact CLO Today 305-940-0924 for a FREE Comprehensive Property Damage assessment and consultation. Visit https://consumerlawoffice.com/

 

At CLO, there are NO upfront FEES, and we only get paid when you get paid by your insurance company.

 

Contact CLO Today! 305-940-0924

and ask for Attorney Mordechai Breier