Sinkholes and Your Homeowner’s Policy
Living in a home in South Florida, you have to make sure you protect your house from natural disasters with homeowner’s insurance. Although the most prominent type of disasters in South Florida are hurricanes, homeowner’s need to protect themselves from sinkholes or catastrophic ground collapse. Homes or commercial buildings that have confirmed sinkhole activity will lose significant value since under Florida law.
Below is a video by Tower Hill that showcases the different types of coverage available for earth movement in Florida, what types of damage are eligible for coverage and how the deductible for a sinkhole works:
10 Sinkhole Symptoms at your home, condo or building
1. Cracking of the exterior walls (possible stair-step pattern)
2. Cracking in exterior porches, decks, sidewalks or driveways
3. Cracking around in-ground pools or pool decks or lanais
4. Separation of the foundation from the soil
5. Cracking of interior walls, ceilings or floors
6. Cracking around the frames of doors, windows or in the corners of rooms
7. Excessive leakage from your in-ground pool
8. Tilting, un-leveling or sinking of the floor
9. Doors or windows sticking or jamming or not otherwise working correctly
10. Unexplained or unusual water stains on the floor, walls or ceiling