It has been two years since Hurricane Maria struck and caused catastrophic damage in Puerto Rico. Since then, many policyholders have been struggling to get the reasonable payment owed under their policy to make repairs, but the number of policyholders with unsettled property claims is still very high.… Continue Reading
After Hurricane Maria, many policyholders in Puerto Rico received payments for the damages caused by the hurricane, and due to the need for repairs to their property, they immediately deposited the checks. The problem with depositing these checks was many included the words “final” or “the endorsement of this check constitutes a total and definitive … Continue Reading
Many Policyholders in Puerto Rico are concerned about the notifications of non-renewal or cancellations they received after Hurricane Maria claims. This is a matter that affects both residential and commercial Policyholders. The process of obtaining insurance coverage from a different insurance company can be even more difficult when repairs related to a prior claim have … Continue Reading
Condado is a diverse community in San Juan, Puerto Rico, that is 7 miles long but well known by tourists for hotels, restaurants and beaches. For the locals this area it is also known for its numerous condominiums, which were greatly affected in 2017 by Hurricane Maria. To this date, many of the insurance companies … Continue Reading
For some time now, people have been keeping a close eye on several of Puerto Rico’s major insurance carriers due to rumors of insolvency. One of those insurance carriers, Real Legacy Assurance, has unfortunately confirmed these rumors and recently filed for liquidation. According to reports, the carrier has paid nearly $40 million dollars to settle … Continue Reading
A raíz de la catástrofe causada por los huracanes Irma y María, surgió la necesidad de revisar el proceso de reclamaciones ante las aseguradoras en aras de hacer este uno más eficiente. Es por esto que, el gobierno ha trabajado en métodos que ayudarán a mejorar los procedimientos de manejo de reclamaciones ante las aseguradoras. … Continue Reading
After the catastrophe caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, there was a need for an efficient recovery process. The government has worked on methods to improve the way insurance claims are handled. Following models from multiple jurisdictions in the United States, Puerto Rico will now have available more protections and resolution methods for property and … Continue Reading
Many Virgin Islands property owners have submitted claims to their property insurance carriers relating to claims from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. One issue that may arise during the adjustment of the claim is how the insurance carrier will calculate the “actual cash value” damages to the property.… Continue Reading
On June 12, 2018, the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of Puerto Rico (OCI) issued Ruling Letter No. CN-2018-241-D, Appraisal Procedures for Insurance Claims for Commercial Property Related to Catastrophic Events.… Continue Reading
One certain way FEMA and National Flood Administrators get out of paying otherwise valid flood insurance claims is to require strict and timely requirements. Citing an internally generated and fraudulent 99% closure statistic, the National Flood Program denied a request to extend the timeline for filing Proofs of Loss for Hurricane Harvey, Irma, and Maria … Continue Reading
As advocates for victims whose lives have been turned upside down as a result of the devastating flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, and Hurricane Maria, we know that one year may not be enough time for flood victims to obtain the estimates and documents necessary to submit their required proof of loss form … Continue Reading
It has been five months since Hurricanes Irma and Maria wreaked widespread havoc on the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Category 5 hurricanes damaged buildings of all shapes and types – residences, businesses, places of worship, warehouses and commercial buildings. Those with insurance coverage filed claims, presumably expecting prompt and fair responses from their insurance companies. … Continue Reading
Following the devastating damages from Hurricanes Harvey, Maria, and Irma, homeowners and businesses alike examined their insurance coverages to assist their recovery. For most people that have never needed to use insurance benefits, or had only small claims, these policies may have seemed like just another large expense every year that mostly protected the bank … Continue Reading
It has been four long months since Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated America’s Paradise; yet, many insureds have still not received a single payment (or even a meaningful response) from their insurance company. Regrettably, these are not isolated or one-off situations.… Continue Reading
The 90-day period to resolve claims made for damages caused by Hurricane Maria may expire soon. To protect insureds from the bad faith and delay of the insurer, Puerto Rico’s Insurance Code provides under Art. 27.162, that insurance companies should be diligent in the processing of claims within the 90-day period for claims to be … Continue Reading
By Chip Merlin and Kesha Hodge on Posted in Insurance
The Virgin Islands are beautiful. The Virgin Islands insurance scenario is pretty ugly right now. One question that has been posed to us several times since Hurricane Irma and Maria struck is whether venue clauses requiring suit to be filed somewhere other than the Virgin Islands are valid.… Continue Reading
Have you noticed that some seminars have just a few speakers and they are not in the middle of the issues, but pretenders? Harris Martin Publishers asked me to co-chair a Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Irma seminar and if you are an insurance attorney, public adjuster, insurance claims manager or governmental counsel with FEMA claims, … Continue Reading
Earlier this month, Ashley Harris discussed the Puerto Rico Unfair Claim Adjustment Practices or Actions statute (26 L.P.R.A. § 2716a) in Is the Insurance Company Adjusting Your Claim Fairly in Puerto Rico?… Continue Reading
In the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the two-catastrophic category five hurricanes that struck the U.S.V.I. in the space of twelve days, many residents are still in survival mode as they deal with the lingering psychological and physical damage. As the resilient Virgin Islanders continue to rebuild, the next ordeal for those affected will … Continue Reading
Hurricane Irma: If you are a homeowner, business owner, or renter affected by Hurricane Irma, you still may be able to receive certain benefits through the Federal Emergency Management Agency “FEMA” if you are uninsured or underinsured.… Continue Reading
Para los millones de asegurados en Puerto Rico que sufrieron daños a su propiedad por Huracán María, estos momentos han sido uno de los más difíciles que han pasado en tiempos recientes. Para muchos de ustedes con póliza de seguro de daños a sus hogares, desgraciadamente será un proceso de mucho estresante, arduo y largo. … Continue Reading
Too many in Puerto Rico are still dealing with the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Maria. Today the focus is on getting basic supplies like drinking water to nearly half the population. An insurance claim is likely not a priority at this moment for those owning homes or businesses in Puerto Rico. However, insurance companies must … Continue Reading
As I noted in my previous blog, Business Interruption Will Play Big Role in Rebuilding the U.S. Virgin Islands After Irma, the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma in the U.S. Virgin Islands is staggering. To make matters worse, the powerful northeast eyewall of Hurricane Maria is now bearing down on the islands with what are … Continue Reading