A Florida Public Adjuster Representing Sinkhole Claims in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Spring Hill, and Brooksville
Sinkholes are common in the Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Land of Lakes, Dunedin, New Port Richey, Spring Hill, and Brooksville area. It is important to understand what your policy covers and what types of loss your policy 
does not cover. First-of-all, if your home is located within these areas, I would hope you purchased sinkhole coverage. While most policies contain coverage for a catastrophic ground collapse, your policy may still not contain coverage for a sinkhole loss. Why is this? Because catastrophic ground collapse and a sinkhole loss are defined differently.
"Sinkhole" means a landform created by subsidence of soil, sediment, or rock as underlying strata are dissolved by groundwater. A sinkhole forms by collapse into subterranean voids created by dissolution of limestone or dolostone or by subsidence as these strata are dissolved.
Catastrophic ground collapse means - (2) As used in ss. 627.706-627.7074, and as used in connection with any policy providing coverage for a catastrophic ground cover collapse or for sinkhole losses, the term:
(a) "Catastrophic ground cover collapse" means geological activity that results in all the following:
- The abrupt collapse of the ground cover;
- A depression in the ground cover clearly visible to the naked eye;
- Structural damage to the covered building, including the foundation; and
- The insured structure being condemned and ordered to be vacated by the governmental agency authorized by law to issue such an order for that structure.
If you live in Tampa or St. Petersburg and your sinkhole claim has been denied, you should give me a call. If you are in Spring Hill or Brooksville and you believe your sinkhole loss settlement to insufficient to repair you damages, please call and we can discuss your loss.
If you are not absolutely sure that your policy contains sinkhole coverage, you may want to speak with your insurance agent.