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Florida Tops the List of States in the U.S. Most Dissatisfied with Insurance

It is true that while people know the importance of insurance cover, they do not like to pay the premium year after year for years if they have never used the policy. However, according to recent studies, it appears that people living in Florida might be more dissatisfied with their insurance companies than those living in any other state in America. While the average score given by consumers to American insurers was 4.27, the score given by consumers in Florida is only 4.03.

According to the survey of insurance consumers, there are valid reasons behind the apparent dissatisfaction of Florida consumers with their insurance companies. The claim disputes reported by consumers in Florida was as much as 8% in stark comparison with the figure of just 1.5% across the nation. Hurricane damage accounted for as many as 17% of the disputed claims. Another reason why Florida insurance consumers were unhappy was that the insurance rates in the state were climbing faster than the rest of the country. There was also a tendency of consumers to misunderstand the scope of their coverage, which is why the conclusion of the survey contained a reminder to people to review their insurance policies and make sure there is adequate coverage.

The Fundamentals of Insurance Policies in Florida

The standard homeowners’ and renters’ insurance policies cover damage due to wind as well as damage resulting from rain entering through an are damaged by wind. These policies also cover damage due to fire and vandalism in addition to loss through theft. Most insurance companies follow a practice of paying for emergency repairs to protect the property from further damage. In most situations, the insurance companies will also cover debris removal, the replacement or cash value of the damaged property as well as living expenses of the owner and his family.

Normally flood insurance is not included in a homeowners’ policy and is sold separately along with the homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policies. The coverage of flood insurance includes damage to property due to sea waves, tidal action, and overflowing of rivers, creeks, and lakes, and runoff of groundwater. The coverage of a flood insurance policy normally includes the repair or replacement of damaged or destroyed buildings, compensation for personal property that has been wrecked, and removal of debris. Vehicle damage by weather events is normally covered under a comprehensive automobile insurance policy.

Concerns About Insurance Companies

Even as we like to believe that the insurance company will look after our interests, it is not necessarily true. Like any commercial organization, insurance companies also like to maximize their income and profits and hence are inclined to settle claims for as little money as possible or even deny the claims altogether. This is the reason why insurance companies may seem to be less than enthusiastic when faced with a claim. Some of the tactics they may employ to avoid paying out for damages include:

• Denial that the coverage exists
• Claim denial because your claim is completely or partially excluded under the terms of the policy
• Refusal to pay a part of the claim
• Make misleading or patently false statements to you
• Outright refusal to settle the claim or force you to settle under the coverage of other policy
• Delay the adjustment, processing, or payment of claims unreasonably
• Attempt to undervalue estimates, payments, or offers
• Demands claimants to provide a written release of any supplemental claims as a pre-condition for releasing the claim payment
• Including terms like final” or “full” in the letter or check issued to you even though you feel that full reimbursement has not been done

When Should You Consult an Attorney?

If you have made a claim to your insurance company and have encountered any of the above problems or engaged in a dispute of any other kind, it may be the right time to keep pursuing the insurance company on your own and get in touch with an experienced attorney. The skilled and competent lawyers at Lavalle, Brown & Ronan, P.A. have vast experience of pursuing insurance companies to settle claims equitably. For a free evaluation of your case, contact us today!