Tag: insurance-policy

  • “Insurance Requirements for Florida Contractors”

    – Florida contractors are required to have public liability and property damage insurance in place in order to obtain or renew their construction license. – The Construction Industry Licensing Board conducts random sample audits of licensees to verify insurance coverage. – License holders must provide proof of insurance coverage in the form of an original…

  • Protecting Your Wealth: What’s Safe from Lawsuits in Florida

    – Florida’s homestead exemption protects primary residences on land of half an acre or less in a municipality or 160 acres or less in other areas from creditor judgments. However, this protection may not apply to properties with mortgages or to second homes and investment properties. – Most retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs are…

  • Life Insurance Basics: Choosing the Right Type for You

    – Many people only start thinking about life insurance when they get a full-time job and are offered enrollment in their employer’s group life insurance policy. – Life insurance is a contract between an individual and an insurance company, where the company agrees to pay a specified sum of money to the beneficiaries upon the…

  • Florida Court Rules that Construction Contract Clauses Are Unenforceable

    1. The court found that the no-damages-for-delay clause in the contract between Sarasota County and Southern Underground Industries, Inc. was enforceable, and the contractor was not entitled to additional compensation for the 71-day delay caused by the county’s stop-work order. 2. The court also found that the liquidated damages clause in the contract was enforceable,…

  • What to Do If You Get Hit by a Car While Riding Your Bike

    – Leave the roadway to avoid further injury from traffic. – Call 911 and report the incident to the police. – Seek immediate medical attention, even for minor injuries, as some injuries may not show symptoms immediately. – When documenting the incident, it is important to collect information from the driver, such as their name,…

  • Title Services for Buying a Home | Real Estate Services Company

    – Title insurance protects the buyer if an error is made during escrow that causes the title to be flawed. – Title services ensure that any previous owners have officially transferred their ownership to the buyer so they can share it with their bank. – Title attorneys specialize in real estate law and can help…

  • “Health Insurance Subrogation and Your Motorcycle Injury Case”

    – Health insurance subrogation allows the insurance company to recover the money it paid for the medical treatment of an injured person in a motorcycle crash. – For example, if Mr. Jones has health insurance and is injured in a motorcycle crash, his health insurance company has the right to recover the money it paid…

  • Understanding Title Insurance for Buying a Home

    – Property ownership issues can arise after closing on a new home – Title insurance protects against financial loss due to unknown property ownership issues – Title search is essential to identify potential problems with the deed or title – Lenders often require title searches as part of their underwriting process – Local professionals who…

  • Florida Car Insurance Rules and Common Questions

    1. The impact of climate change is leading to rising sea levels. 2. The use of plastic is causing harm to marine life. 3. Deforestation is contributing to loss of biodiversity. 4. Air pollution is affecting human health. 5. The increase in greenhouse gas emissions is causing global temperatures to rise. – Florida requires a…

  • Changes in Florida Insurance Laws: What High School Students Should Know

    1. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 837 into law, which made significant changes to Florida’s bad faith insurance framework and one-way attorney fee provisions for insurance cases. 2. Senate Bill 2A, enacted in December 2022, aimed to limit one-way attorney fees in property insurance claims by removing the right to attorney fees in suits…

  • “Talking to Your Parents About Making Plans for Their Money and Belongings”

    – Conversations about death and dying are tough for many people, including adult children and their parents. – Despite the difficulty, it is important to have these conversations to plan for the orderly and safe disposition of money and property, and to ensure continued care for loved ones. – Having these difficult conversations can also…

  • What Every High School Biker Needs to Know About Insurance Coverage

    1. Many Florida motorcyclists and motorcycle enthusiasts need to understand the importance of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. 2. In Florida, the bare minimum insurance coverage does not cover a rider’s injuries in the event of a crash. 3. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is crucial for riders as it steps in to cover injuries and damages resulting from…

  • FAQ – Law Firm Q&A

    – Title insurance is a policy that protects against loss if the condition of title to land is other than as insured. – Title insurance is necessary when buying property to ensure that you can enjoy the benefits of ownership without any unexpected debts or obligations. – If there is a problem with your title,…

  • Changes in Florida Insurance Laws: How Attorneys’ Fees are Affecting Litigation

    1. Homeowners in Florida now face increased financial risks when pursuing claims against insurers due to the elimination of one-way attorneys’ fees. This may make legal battles more expensive and potentially deter homeowners from seeking the compensation they deserve. 2. Without the right to reasonable attorneys’ fees, policyholders may find it harder to engage in…

  • Florida Passes New Laws to Limit Lawsuits and Insurance Claim Disputes

    – Florida has replaced its system of pure comparative negligence with a modified comparative negligence regime. – The statute of limitations for general negligence actions has been shortened from four years to two years. – The standard for bad-faith insurance claims has been amended. – The bill outlines the evidence that a factfinder should consider…

  • Florida Dive Shop Sues Insurer for Denying Business Interruption Claim

    1. Mace Marine Inc., dba Conch Republic Divers, filed a lawsuit against Tokio Marine Specialty Insurance Co. for denying its business interruption claim due to the coronavirus pandemic. 2. The dive shop claims that the denial was improper, in bad faith, and a breach of contract, resulting in financial harm. 3. The shop had a…

  • Understanding Assignment of Benefits in Florida

    – The Florida assignment of benefits statute affects both homeowners and businesses. – Section 627.7152 of the Florida Statutes outlines the requirements for a valid assignment of benefits agreement. – An assignment of benefits agreement involves the transfer of insurance benefits from the policy holder to a third party. – The validity and enforceability of…

  • Car Insurance: Stacked vs. Unstacked – What You Need to Know

    – Stacking insurance allows you to combine uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage from multiple vehicles on your policy, providing higher coverage limits. – Unstacked insurance only provides the UM coverage limits for the specific vehicle involved in the accident. – Stacking is recommended, especially in Florida where many drivers are uninsured, to ensure adequate coverage for…

  • What Happens if a Civil Case in Florida Goes to Retrial?

    1. The principles guiding trial court’s discretion on remand include the need for a fair and impartial trial, the interest of justice, and the efficient use of judicial resources. 2. The trial court’s discretion may be influenced by factors such as new evidence, errors in the previous trial, and the credibility of witnesses. 3. On…

  • “Florida Court Rules Tenant’s Insurance Payments Don’t Guarantee Coverage”

    1. The Florida court ruled that a tenant’s payment of the landlord’s insurance premiums does not make the tenant a co-insured with the landlord. 2. The court allowed an insurance company to proceed with a $2.1 million negligence lawsuit against a tenant, even after covering the landlord’s losses from a fire. 3. The lease required…

  • Challenges and Opportunities for Businesses in Florida

    -Florida has the fourth-largest economy in the nation, despite a 2.8% contraction in 2020. -Small businesses make up 99.8% of all Florida businesses and employ over 41% of the state’s workforce. -The top six industries for small business employment in Florida are professional, scientific and technical services, other services (except public administration), administrative, support and…

  • What to Keep After Buying a House

    1. The buyer’s agent agreement with the brokerage 2. The real estate purchase agreement 3. Riders, addenda, or amendments to the purchase agreement 4. Seller disclosure forms 5. Inspection report – The closing disclosure details the loan type, loan term, closing costs, interest rate, and other financial elements of the note. – The deed received…

  • Florida Court Upholds Cancellation of Workers’ Compensation Policy

    – The First District Court of Appeal ruled that the cancellation of a workers’ compensation policy for nonpayment was effective, even though the insured employer had a certificate of insurance. – The case involved a Claimant, Mr. Dennis F. Scott, and James A. Jones Construction Co. appealing the judge of compensation claims’ ruling that the…

  • “Why Unmarried Couples Should Plan for the Future”

    1. Unmarried partners are not protected by state and federal laws when it comes to inheritance, taxes, and decision-making powers. 2. Without estate planning, the state’s intestacy statute will determine who receives money and property, and unmarried partners may receive nothing under the law. 3. If a beneficiary is not designated on a life insurance…