Central Florida Sinkhole Claim Attorney
Hancock Law Firm, P.A.
Confirmation of a sinkhole is an encouraging sign, but not the end of the story. Florida law requires insurance companies to cover sinkhole damage, but insurers are wily about interpreting that obligation. A settlement offer may pay only to cover up the problem rather than truly fix it.
The structural integrity of your home is on the line, not to mention your property value and peace of mind. You owe it to yourself to get legal advice before accepting any settlement or solution proposed by your insurer, including an offer to pay for "grouting."
Working with independent experts, attorney Mike Hancock can assess whether the insurance company's offer is full and fair or a temporary patch for a bigger problem lurking beneath your house. We represent homeowners and business owners in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Land O' Lakes, Lutz, Wesley Chapel, Lakeland, and throughout Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties. Contact our Tampa office for a free consultation.
My Insurance Company Confirms a Sinkhole but Recommends Grouting
Your homeowners insurance carrier is likely to respond to a sinkhole damage claim in several ways:
Denial or delay — We may have to file suit if the insurer denied your claim on technicalities or by concluding something other than sinkhole damage, such as "general subsidence."
Cosmetic repairs — The insurer may offer perhaps thousands of dollars for crack sealing, repainting, stucco repair and other touch-up work that doesn't address the sinkhole, which will only continue to expand.
Structural repairs — Fixing foundation cracks and cracked driveways, repair or replacement of misaligned doors and windows, leveling tilted floors, etc. This may be only a stopgap if the sinkhole is still growing.
Grouting — Grout is a sludgy mixture pumped under your house and grounds to fill the voids and presumably stop further sinking. There are several issues to consider if the insurance company suggests grouting:
- The insurance settlement may not fully cover the costs of grouting, which can be as high as $70,000.
- Grouting may not necessarily end your sinkhole problems, especially if doesn't penetrate deeply enough.
- Grouting does not fix the damage already done.
We make sure that a grouting settlement covers the costs of the work, plus any structural or cosmetic repairs, plus the costs of temporary housing. If the insurance company balks, we will take your case to neutral evaluation, mediation and ultimately to trial if necessary.
Underpinning — Your sinkhole may demand a more advanced solution. Underpinning involves hammering steel rods into the limestone bedrock far below to serve as "stilts" to keep your house stationary and level. Because this typically adds $100,000 or more to the repair costs, insurers will rarely suggest this remedy and in fact will fight it tooth and nail. If our experts believe that grouting will not solve your sinkhole problems, we will fight for
• Also see our Sinkhole Damage FAQ
Free Consultation With a Tampa Insurance Dispute Lawyer
Mike Hancock has handled sinkhole cases for 15 years and formerly worked in insurance defense. He provides comprehensive legal advocacy for submitting claims, sinkhole confirmation and insurance litigation.
Call 888-975-1110 (toll free) or 813-915-1110 to schedule a consultation with Mike Hancock. You can also reach us by e-mail for answers to your sinkhole insurance questions.
