
Many homeowners barely give any thought to the details of their property insurance coverage -- until they find out the hard way that their policy isn't what they expected.
For example, many homeowners policies do not cover mold and mildew. In a state like Florida, mold and mildew are almost ever-present within days of storm-caused damage. Indeed, mold remediation may be one of the most expensive repair issues. Yet, many policies exclude coverage for mold remediation unless it is specifically requested -- with an additional premium.
What's known as "law and ordinance" may also be excluded. Let's say your home was built in 1920. It's got old wiring and also doesn't come up to current code requirements. If your home is damaged in a hurricane, and it doesn't include "law and ordinance" coverage, the insurer only has to pay you for the value of the damaged property, which usually is not nearly enough to pay for repairs that will be REQUIRED in order to bring your home up to code. There is no grandfathering for you.
There are any number of other "loopholes" in your policy that may give your insurance company the ability to pay you far less than what it takes to restore your home after a hurricane or other storm event. At Lilly, O'Toole & Brown, we've read -- and litigated -- hundreds and hundreds of homeowners' policies, and if you have questions, about yours, we'd be happy to talk to you about yours, preferably before you have to make a claim. On the other hand, if you do have a claim, we can guide you through the legal lingo of your existing policy to see if you have a viable claim. Don't count on your insurance company's adjuster to tell you how you can use your policy to get a fair recovery. In our experience, many adjusters are more interested in pleasing their masters -- the insurance companies -- than in helping you.
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Lilly, O'Toole & Brown, LLP
Lakeland Office: (863) 683-1111
Bartow Office: (863) 533-5525M
Sebring Office: (863) 471-0003
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Wauchula Office: (863) 767-1111
Also providing legal assistance to clients from:
Wauchula, Lake Placid, Avon Park, Plant City, Brandon, and Valrico, Florida.

Lilly, O'Toole & Brown, LLP
800 South Florida Avenue
Lakeland, FL 33801
Phone: (863) 683-1111