Leaving Your Fort Lauderdale Property: Could It Invalidate Your Insurance?

If you read the fine print of your property insurance policy, you may discover some interesting rules about leaving your home unattended for a prolonged period. Each policy is different, but this may be of interest to anyone who plans to be on vacation for more than a few days. Why is this rule in place? Could failing to check in on your property really invalidate your insurance? These are questions you may want to ask your property insurance lawyer in Fort Lauderdale.

How Often Do I Need to Check on My Property in Florida? 

Each insurer may have different rules about how often you need to check in on your property. Some say that you need to check in on your property every 48 hours to maintain your policy, while others have a 72-hour rule. If you explain to your insurer that the home will remain vacant for many months out of the year, they may provide more lenient guidelines – perhaps only requiring check-in every 30-90 days. Again, it all depends on your specific policy – and an experienced lawyer may be able to help you decipher the fine print.

Why Is Checking on My Home Necessary? 

In the eyes of insurers, a relatively minor issue may become much worse if no one is home to address it. The obvious situation involves some kind of leak, which slowly floods the entire home while you’re away on vacation. However, the same logic applies to many other potential hazards – including fire, mold, hurricane damage, and so on.

The good news is that this rule incentivizes you to take logical steps to protect your home while you’re gone. This is often as simple as asking a family member or a neighbor to pop in every few days and run a visual check of the property – making sure to assess heaters, pipes, and other potential issues.

Checking on Your Property May Be Especially Crucial for Snowbirds 

Florida is home to many “snowbirds” who split their time between the Sunshine State and their primary residence. If you fall into this category, you may need to think carefully about how you’re going to check on your property while it remains vacant for many months out of the year. It may be difficult to find neighbors, especially if you don’t know many people in Florida. You might also live in a community where many snowbirds live together – and every other home in your neighborhood may also be empty over the same periods.

 Contact Our Fort Lauderdale Property Insurance Lawyers Today

At Geyer Fuxa Tyler, our legal team is made up of a diverse combination of attorneys who are well-positioned to protect the legal rights and financial interests of policyholders. If your property insurance claim was denied, we can help. For a free consultation, please call us today at (954) 990-5251. With an office in Sunrise, we represent policyholders in Broward County and throughout the state of Florida.

Sources:

 floridainsurance.com/blog/ways-to-protect-your-home-while-on-vacation/

community.aarp.org/t5/Retirement/Snowbirds-What-do-you-do-with-your-home-when-you-go-south/m-p/2129160