News & Events

Investing in real estate can be an exciting, yet risky, venture that will require hard work on your part to protect your new assets. There are specific factors and liabilities to consider when choosing insurance coverage for your properties. Getting the right insurance policies ensures you and your investments are protected even when the unexpected occurs. The best way to ensure you have the appropriate insurance coverage is to cover all of your bases with basic protections like standard landlord insurance and more specific policies that cover personal liability and property damage. Even vacant properties must have the proper insurance coverage. Sometimes disaster strikes when no one is in the property, such as having a fire break out or a burst pipe that floods the area. These disasters could lead to serious, unmitigated damage. If renovating or improving a property, there are even more insurance policies to consider to cover your investment, including builder’s risk insurance and installation insurance. While your real estate investments may provide significant benefits, they can only do so safely when covered by the appropriate insurance policies.

We are pleased to announce that our 2021 Summer e-Newsletter has been published. Please take a few minutes to read it as it contains information on new case law updates, including topics on liability, workers’ compensation, first party property and coverage, trucking, medical malpractice, and many more. The e-Newsletter also includes firm successes secured by Conroy Simberg, additional news and notes, and firm announcements.

Rod Lundy, a partner, and Tylar Heintz, an associate, both of our Orlando office, obtained a favorable verdict in Orange County, Florida before Judge Denise Beamer. Plaintiff was a pedestrian in the crosswalk when contacted by the collapsible mirror of defendant's vehicle which was making a left across plaintiff's path of travel. The incident was captured on a traffic video camera. Defendant admitted liability but argued comparative fault, causation, and damages.

The Florida property insurance market is teetering on the edge of collapse just as the state is starting to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. After years of increased litigation and fraudulent claims, the majority of insurance companies in the state have had to raise their rates to consumers, tighten up their underwriting guidelines, deny coverage for new applicants, and stop renewal of non-profitable businesses just to stay afloat. There has been an increase in consumers and businesses seeking the state’s property insurance, Citizens, as its rates have only increased slightly as a result of statutory requirements. Even without a major storm in 2020, insurers lost $1.5 billion from water damage and roof fraud as well as costly litigation awards. Insurance companies are now feeling hopeful as Bill 76, recently passed by the Florida Legislature on April 30, 2021, was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis.