If you think you have a sinkhole, this guide will help you understand the steps in your claim process. Geo-Logical has helped thousands of home owners understand their sinkhole claim and remediation options. For a confidential, professional and free evaluation, call 727-232-8000 or contact us using the form on the right side of this page.
1. Call your insurance company.
- (Don’t – call a public adjuster or an attorney.)
2. Adjuster Interview
The insurance company will send an adjuster to your home for an interview and visual inspection. Based on the interview and visual inspection, the adjuster will make a determination about whether or not your claim should be moved forward. (Based on the complexity of your claim this could take a while, the amount of time you will wait to hear back could vary widely.)
During this interview, the adjuster will try to establish the date that damage first occurred? They will ask:
- When did you first notice this damage?
- Has the damage gotten any worse?
- Where do you work? What is your profession?
- Are you aware of any neighbors who have sinkholes?
- When did you purchase your home?
- When you bought your home was there a home owners disclosure statement provided by the seller? Do you have a copy?
- Did you have a home inspection done when you purchased your home? Do you have a copy?
- Was there any damage on the property at the time of purchase?
- Who is on the deed?
- What year was the home built?
3. Structural/Geo-technical Analysis
If the adjuster moves your claim forward, your insurance company will require either a structural analysis or a geo-technical analysis to determine if you have a sinkhole.
Structural analysis will include:
- Floor elevation survey
- Inspect property for any or all cracks
- Evaluate the roof
- Evaluate the vertical nature of wall
- Test pits that will expose the structures footing
- Engineer will interview about your home (similar to questions asked by claims adjuster)
Geo-techinical analysis will include:
- Shallow borings with cone penetrometer testing
- Deep boring with SPT testing
- Ground penetrating radar
- Visual Inspection
- Engineer will interview about your home (similar to questions asked by claims adjuster)
4. Sinkhole Determination
Once the analysis has been completed, it could take up to two weeks or longer to receive the results and hear the determination from your insurance company.
- If the engineer determines you do not have a sinkhole, your claim will be denied. At that point you can request a neutral evaluation from the State.
- If the engineer determines that you have a sinkhole, the insurance company will determine the cost of both the cosmetic repair to your home and underground repair or sinkhole remediation.
5. Cosmetic Repair Costs
For cosmetic repair determination the insurance company can:
- Have the claims adjuster perform an estimate.
- Hire another adjuster or contractor to give an estimate.
- Require you to get an estimate from a general contractor.
6. Sinkhole Repair Costs
The cost of the underground repair of your sinkhole will be calculated in one of 2 ways:
- You may be required to get an estimate for your sinkhole repair
- Engineer will provide an estimate for repair
7. Compensation Determination
Your insurance company will compare estimates to policy limits and determine if they will repair or cash out your home.
If the insurance company decides to repair your sinkhole:
- The new Florida statute requires you to sign a contract with an underground contractor within 90 days of claim acceptance and to have your home repaired within one year.
If the insurance company chooses to cash out:
- Your mortgage company will require you to either pay off your home or fix the home. If you do not have a mortgage, it is your decision on whether or not you would like to repair your home.
Have more questions about your sinkhole claim? Contact with the form to the right or give us a call at 727-232-8000.
Next: Questions to ask when choosing a sinkhole repair company?
