Do you need a Florida property insurance lawyer? If you are a Citizens Property Insurance Corporation policyholder, you might. Here’s why you should consult a property insurance lawyer.
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation is encouraging homeowners to use the Managed Repair Program intending remediation of non-weather-related property damage for less than what is required under Florida law. If you are a part of this program, it is essential that you consult an experienced Florida property insurance attorney who can help you understand your rights.
Citizens Managed Repair Program: What You Should Know
Citizens’ Managed Repair Program helps customers whose homes have been damaged by water. The program consists of two services: emergency water removal and a managed repair contractor network, both of which are available for customers with new and renewal homeowner (HO-3) and dwelling property (DP-3) policies only.
Covered by Citizens, once water is removed and dried up for covered damages, contractors are on site to fix your home with a 5-year workmanship guarantee.
According to Citizens, a policyholder may refuse or limit participation in the managed repair program. They advise, however, that it may impact the cost of the claim (excluding Emergency Water Removal Services). For example, if you decline participation in the Contractor Network, your limit for coverage is $10k inclusive of both permanent repairs and Emergency Water Removal Services. If you decline participation, your sublimit is $3000.
A Florida Property Insurance Attorney Will Help You Understand How It Works
While policyholders can receive significantly higher coverage from Citizens, is it worth the tradeoff of losing control of how your home is fixed? The Citizens program offers clients the benefit of receiving more coverage for their losses, but it does not allow homeowners’ advocates (i.e., public adjusters) to participate in the repair process.
It is worth noting that the contractors who Citizens hires often have a conflict of interest—they aim to do what is in the best interest of the insurance company, not the homeowner. Unfortunately for the policyholder, this can result in those contractors performing shoddy work or underestimating the extent of property damage when you need them most.
Citizens policyholders may be faced with a tough decision of who will handle repairs to their home—you can either choose an independent contractor and not get paid for the total amount of the loss or allow Citizens to coordinate repairs with contractors that may not have your best interests in mind.
The Right to Repair Clause and Citizens Managed Repair Program
Even if you opt out of the managed repair program, you could still end up with a contractor chosen by Citizens rather than receiving payment for the loss directly. This is because Citizens includes a “right to repair” clause in their policies, which states that they reserve the right to replace or make repairs of like kind and quality after receiving your sworn proof of loss.
Learn How to Protect Yourself with Help from a Florida Property Insurance Lawyer
Do you have questions about the Citizens Managed Repair Program? We are here to help. Contact a Florida property insurance attorney at RRBH Law today.