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Negotiating with FIGA: Know Your Rights

Posted by Phillip Warren | Aug 15, 2023 | 2 Comments

If you have an open Hurricane Ian or other property damage claim and your insurance company goes bankrupt (insolvent), Florida Insurance Guaranty Association (FIGA) will likely be responsible to pay your claim, but you need to know your rights and the full amount you are entitled to recover.  Simply because FIGA took over your claim does not mean you have to accept less than the full amount FIGA is required to pay you subject to its statutory caps ($500,000 for a property damage claim).  Having helped homeowners with their hurricane and other property damage claims for decades, our experienced insurance attorneys have dealt with many clients whose insurance company went bankrupt (insolvent) during the claims process and we have helped them recover the full amount they are entitled to within FIGA's statutory limitations.

Florida insurance guaranty association FIGA

Know How FIGA Works

FIGA is a state-run organization that provides financial protection, a guaranty, to Florida policyholders in the event that your insurance company fails, i.e., goes bankrupt.  This is sometimes also referred to as going “insolvent” or “into receivership.”  You can learn more about FIGA and how it works here.  If FIGA takes over a covered claim, FIGA becomes obligated by statute to pay you the amount your now bankrupt insurance company was required to pay you, up to FIGA's statutory cap: $500,000 on homeowners' property damage claims.

Know You Are Not Required to Accept Less than the Full Amount FIGA Owes You

Know that FIGA can apply the same policy limitations and/or deductibles that your insurance company would have been able to invoke under the policy.  However, within FIGA's $500,000 statutory cap on residential property damage claims, FIGA has the same contractual obligation to pay your insurance claim as your insurance company did before it went bankrupt (insolvent).  At TWWH, we have had many clients come to us with an offer they received from FIGA that is less than the amount they would have been entitled to recover from their insurance company before it collapsed and they do not feel they can negotiate with FIGA or push back to recover the full amount they are owed.  This is simply not true. 

Know That FIGA Often Makes Lowball Offers in Hopes of Avoiding Its Obligation to Pay in Full

The mere fact that your insurance claim has been transferred to FIGA does not reduce the amount you are entitled to recover on your insurance claim, within FIGA's $500,000 limit for homeowners' claims.  For example, if the covered damage your home sustained as the result of a hurricane or other covered loss obligated your insurance company to pay you $250,000 to repair that damage but your insurer went bankrupt (insolvent), once the claim is transferred to FIGA, FIGA is now obligated to pay you $250,000.  FIGA does not have the right to offer you $150,000, or $200,000, or any amount less than $250,000 and make you feel like you have no choice but to take it, although we have seen FIGA take actions like this many times. 

Know That You Can Get Help With Your FIGA Claim

Our experienced insurance attorneys have been helping policyholders—homeowners just like you—with their hurricane and other property damage claims for decades.  We have dealt with FIGA after an insurer goes bankrupt many times, and we know how to communicate and negotiate with FIGA to ensure you receive the full amount FIGA is obligated to pay you.  Do not feel obligated to accept a lowball offer simply because it came from FIGA and do not agree to accept any offer from FIGA until you have consulted with an experienced insurance attorney first.  At Taylor, Warren, Weidner, Hancock & Barnes, we never require any fee, cost, or obligation to simply review your insurance claim, including those that have been taken over by FIGA, and make sure you know your rights.  Contact us

Experienced insurance dispute attorneys Pensacola Florida

About the Author

Phillip Warren

Phillip devotes the same honor, courage, and commitment to his clients as he did in the USMC.

Comments

Darci Fletcher Reply

Posted Jan 31, 2024 at 12:07:26

Hi~I am working with a private adjuster for my FIGA insurance claim from hurricane Ian. He was working with an adjuster at FIGA named Julie. He sent her a 58 page document explaining the damages and included pictures for each area of damage. His document stated there was over $216,000 in damages to my house. My insurance company that went under originally gave us &32,000 for the damages but that was before any work was done and the true damage was hidden. Julie started her offer at $34,000 and her last offer was $90,000 of the $216,000 in damages. Then, out of nowhere my adjuster was informed a new adjuster was assigned to the case and this new adjuster refuses to even honor the written letter of $90,000 and now wants an engineer to look at my house, 1.5 years later to decide what the claim is worth. I would appreciate any help in this matter

Darci Fletcher
845-590-0155

Phillip Warren Reply

Posted Jan 31, 2024 at 12:50:34

We are sorry to hear this. Sometimes an additional inspection can lead to evidence to justify additional payment. Unfortunately, an additional inspection can also be used to deny a valid claim. It is important that you cooperate as required by the policy. It is equally important that you understand your rights and how to enforce them even against FIGA. We are happy to discuss your situation without any fee, cost, or obligation. Simply call our office at your convenience.

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