Flood Basics still causing pain for some
K&L Gates Triage: Emergency Preparedness and Response in Long Term Care - Part II
Natural disasters are becoming more frequent, more severe, and more destructive. No part of the United States is entirely immune from some combination of tornadoes, fires, droughts, earthquakes, freeze events, and...more
In a rainy season, it's important to understand your flood risk. For insurance purposes, what is a flood? What proactive steps can be taken before a flood? How can you obtain the right insurance coverage?...more
Following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, impacted homeowners have received correspondence from their local building officials notifying the homeowners that their property is affected by the 50% Rule. Sometimes these are...more
After several hurricanes, a church submitted a first-party property claim. The church also had pending coverage litigation from prior tornado damage. On October 12, 2020, the independent adjuster (IA) inspected and...more
In light of the recent heavy rainfall in the UAE, both insurers and businesses must understand the legal framework outlined in Federal Law No. 5/1985 on Civil Transactions Law or Civil Code. This law provides comprehensive...more
In Zurich American Insurance Company v. Medical Properties Trust, Inc., 2024 WL 3504060 (Mass. Jul. 23, 2024), the Supreme Court of Massachusetts held that the term “surface waters,” as used in a limitation contained in a...more
Hope for the best and prepare for the worst—that's the best advice to protect yourself from hurricanes. Despite our best efforts, there's no telling what these storms will bring when they blow through town....more
The communities of Southwest Florida suffered a catastrophic blow in September of 2022 when Hurricane Ian decimated so much in its path. Now Hurricane Idalia brings yet another set of challenges to Southwest Floridians, who...more
For the fourth time since 2019, the Florida Legislature has enacted property insurance reforms aimed towards stabilizing a beleaguered insurance market. The bill, S.B. 2-A, creates a reinsurance assistance program,...more
In late September of 2022, Florida was again at the center of a historic natural disaster when Hurricane Ian made landfall along the Lee Island Coast as a strong Category 4 storm, leaving behind a wake of devastation....more
Most of the Florida homes in the path of Hurricane Ian lack flood insurance, posing a major challenge to rebuilding efforts, new data show. In the counties whose residents were told to evacuate, just 18.5 percent of homes...more
Almost two years after Hurricane Harvey devastated parts of Texas and Louisiana, Central America, and several Caribbean islands, the coverage issues arising out of it are far from resolved. The court decisions addressing...more
1. Identify and review your insurance policies: Depending on your situation, you may have insurance coverage provided through a homeowner’s policy or renters insurance. Coverage may also be available under an auto policy,...more
In this episode of OnRisk, K&L Gates attorneys John Sylvester and Paul Fuener discuss business interruption insurance for hurricane losses, highlighting important steps that policyholders can take to protect their interests...more
When is an insurer’s “Rejection of Proof of Loss” letter for flood insurance damage, which states on its face that it “is not a denial of your claim,” nevertheless a written denial of claim? According to the Third Circuit in...more
In January 2018, the Texas Department of Insurance (“TDI”) presented Hurricane Harvey data to the Texas Senate Business and Commerce Committee. After the hurricane, TDI requested monthly reports from the insurance industry,...more
The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season is already one of the most devastating in history. In late August, Harvey struck at the heart of Houston, Texas, and dropped 51.88 inches of rainfall in Texas, the highest rainfall total to...more
As the waters recede from Hurricane Irma, there are many issues for property insurers to consider as they adjust claims in Florida, including unique issues raised by assignment of benefits, Florida law on concurrent...more
As the waters recede from Hurricane Irma, property insurers have many issues to consider as they adjust claims in Florida. This alert discusses a few of those issues. Claims Reporting - The Florida Office of Insurance...more
This hurricane season represents the first time in the history of record keeping that two Category 4 or higher hurricanes, Harvey and Irma, have struck the U.S. mainland in the same year. Within a month, Hurricanes Harvey and...more
Last week, we wrote a post about a number of bulletins of potential interest to property insurers issued by the Texas Department of Insurance concerning the appropriate conduct of those involved in the insurance claims...more
The number of claims arising from a significant wind event such as Hurricane Irma can create intense time pressure on insurers and their adjusters. The insurer must promptly acknowledge each claim and make prompt inspection....more
As victims of Hurricane Harvey try to assess their (often catastrophic) damages, many business owners are finding that their traditional coverages do not adequately cover the scope of their losses. The National Flood...more
San Francisco Darren Teshima, Co-Leader of Orrick's Complex Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice, litigates high stakes disputes on behalf of clients in the financial and technology sectors and advises corporate...more
As we reported in May, the Texas Legislature recently passed legislation which amends Chapter 542 of the Texas Insurance Code—Texas’s general prompt pay statute for insurance claims. Most of the new law’s provisions are...more