August 4, 2020

When to Call a Florida Insurance Attorney about a Hurricane or Storm Damage Claim

If you’ve lived through a hurricane season in Florida, you know it’s just a matter of time before a hurricane hits our state. You also know that even unnamed tropical storms can cause extensive damage to homes and businesses and that people often have problems collecting money from their insurance companies to make necessary repairs. Unfortunately, experiencing problems with hurricane or storm damage claims is common in Florida. Home and business owners complain that their insurance carriers have delayed paying their claims, often requesting more and more information and documentation but not issuing any money for repairs. Others complain that […]
July 16, 2020

Preparing for a Florida Hurricane During the Covid-19 Pandemic

We’ve been battered by daily reports of Covid-19 cases surging in Florida, so thinking about the possibility of a hurricane hitting our state and preparing for that possibility seems like a daunting task. However, preparation is key to your family’s safety, and being proactive now can make a big difference during and after the storm. So, while you have time to prepare, please do so. In this blog post, we’re going to cover five steps you should take to prepare for Florida hurricanes: Have an Emergency Safety Plan, Purchase Emergency Supplies, Make Sure Your Insurance Coverage is Adequate, Take Pictures […]
June 17, 2020

Travel Insurance During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Before the COVID-19 pandemic changed our lives, thousands of Americans traveled domestically and internationally every day. When planning their trips, most travelers didn’t think about the spread of viruses or pandemics, and only 22% purchased travel insurance plans to cover trip cancellations in case of unforeseeable events. Now, however, as states and other countries open up and people resume traveling, many are seeking insurance coverage for viral outbreaks and their impact on travel plans. Since the current pandemic is now considered a foreseeable event, it is generally excluded from cancellation coverage, but some insurance providers are offering new policies that […]
June 2, 2020

Protests, Pandemic & Hurricanes: How Local Firms Best Can Prepare for These Impacts

With nationwide protests in the wake of the death of George Floyd, an ongoing pandemic and the start of hurricane season, Florida businesses have a lot to worry about these days. In an interview published on June 1, 2020, Imran Malik, founder of Malik Law, P.A., shares with Orlando Business Journal how small businesses can brace themselves for the challenges they will continue to face this summer. Orlando Business Journal reports, “When it comes to coronavirus, most insurance companies are not providing relief for business interruption claims due to an exemption for viruses.” However, Malik has seen the fight for […]
May 27, 2020

Where the Hotel Industry Stands with Business Interruption Claims

In an article for Hotel Management, published on May 22, 2020, Malik Law attorney Imran Malik encourages hoteliers to explore all their available insurance options for short-term relief and long-term recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Malik writes, “At first glance, business interruption coverage would appear to be an easy claim to file for the COVID-19 crisis.” However, he warns, “Many insurance companies have already begun to signal their intent to deny pandemic-related claims.” Malik explains the basics of business interruption insurance, and why hotel owners should still consider their options and carefully review policies to look for specific ambiguities or […]
May 21, 2020

Will Florida Business Interruption Insurance Cover Losses Due to COVID-19 Closures?

States across the country are currently considering legislation to compel insurers to cover business losses due to COVID-19 closures. The U.S. House of Representatives is also considering two bills (HR 6494 and HR 6497) that deal generally with providing business interruption coverage for pandemic-related closures and business interruption due to a government order. In the meantime, small business losses in the U.S. are climbing to somewhere between $300 and $500 billion, and businesses across the country are suing insurance companies to get them to cover their losses. Are these lawsuits worth pursuing? Should insurers be paying business interruption claims related […]
April 23, 2020

Life Insurance and COVID-19 in Florida

As the number of COVID-19 deaths in Florida approaches 1,000, many of us are wondering if it’s time to invest in a life insurance policy or increase our benefit, if we already have a policy. The decision is, of course, up to each individual, but there are several factors you should consider before deciding on a policy at this time. In this blog post, I’m going to discuss things to consider if you presently have life insurance, as well as problems you might encounter in trying to change your policy, get a new policy, or file a life insurance claim. […]
April 21, 2020

Preparing for Hurricane Season 2020

With the latest projections showing Florida experiencing 149 deaths per day at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s difficult to think about hurricanes, but indeed, summer is approaching and forecasters are predicting a very active Atlantic hurricane season. According to researchers at the Colorado State University, we may see 16 named storms this year, including eight hurricanes, and four of those hurricanes are predicted to be category 3, 4 or 5 storms. With water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico more than three degrees above average, we know to expect bigger, more destructive hurricanes in Florida this year. And […]
March 23, 2020

Does Florida Commercial Property Insurance Cover Losses Due to COVID-19?

If your Florida business has been forced to close due to the outbreak of COVID-19, you might be thinking about turning to your commercial property insurance to help you cover your losses. After all, the reason you have insurance is to pay for losses due to unforeseen threats to your business’s survival. However, insurance matters are rarely straightforward, and this is no exception. In this blog post, I’m going to discuss business interruption coverage and whether or not it applies to interruptions due to COVID-19. First we’ll look at what business interruption coverage typically covers, and then we’ll examine ambiguities […]
February 13, 2020

Orlando Roof Damage Insurance Claim Attorneys

Strong winds and flying debris during storms can damage your home’s roof in different ways. Shingles can be blown off or damaged, leaks can occur, gutters can be damaged, and the interior of your home can be exposed to the elements. Roofs can also be damaged by falling tree limbs and hail. Regardless of how and where the damage occurs, it is very important to get it repaired as soon as possible to avoid further damage to your home. When their roofs are damaged, most homeowners contact their insurance companies, expecting that their policies cover repair or replacement costs. Their […]