Source: https://www.burldaniel.com/homeowners-insurance-expert-witness/
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 16:04:50+00:00

Document:
Homeowners coverage offered by carriers has become more restricted in recent years. Traditionally, homeowners’ policies provided broad coverage for physical damage to homes, including loss from fire, windstorm, theft, and water claims plus broad coverage for comprehensive personal liability. However, carriers have become more discriminating in selecting policyholders, and coverage tends to be less comprehensive. This trend stems partly from adverse loss experience with Florida hurricanes, Texas mold claims, wildfires in numerous states, and other multi-billion dollar natural disasters.
Actual replacement cost for the dwelling and/or contents may exceed policy limits.
Coinsurance penalties applied to Underinsured dwellings.
Exclusions poorly understood by policyholders (i.e. Flood, earthquake, and mold).
Building codes may significantly increase rebuilding costs.
Impaired coverage for fire and vandalism due to “Vacancy” of the dwelling.
Home occupied by someone other than the owner (i.e. tenant, owner’s children, etc.).
Adequacy of Additional Living Expense after a severe loss.
Personal liability exclusions and/or inadequate limits.
Engaged by policyholder counsel to calculate Superstorm Sandy damage to several buildings that would have been recoverable had agent properly placed NFIP policies. The case required preparation of proforma NFIP ACV and ICC claim values plus potential recovery under an excess flood policy. Attorney Jeff Schulman, Pasich, LLP (212) 686-5000. Ferguson v. Whitmore Group, Index No. 15-610192 / CAL No. 17-014260T, Supreme Court State of New York, IAS Part 38 – Suffolk County.
Engaged by defense counsel as their Flood Insurance expert. Case required analysis of NFIP regulations and flood insurance rating for 23 lots deemed to be in FIRM Zone AE following FEMA flood zone map revisions. Claim included allegations by homebuilder of lost property values due to Inverse Condemnation based on FEMA’s revised Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Attorney Mike Shaunessy – McGinnis Lochridge & Kilgore, LLP (512) 495-6061. Woodlake v. Guadalupe County; Cause No. 11-1270-CV In The District Court Of Guadalupe County, Texas, 25th Judicial District.
Engaged by defense counsel as their Agent Errors & Omissions and Homeowners Insurance expert. Case involved a fire loss to a vacant home in Dallas, TX due to grass fire started by neighbor. Attorneys David Woodward and Stacy Hoffman (214) 220-5203, Cobb Martinez & Woodward. Greene v. Farmers Insurance, et al; Cause No. 08-11723-G, 134th Judicial District Court, Dallas County, Texas.
Retained by defense counsel for insurance agency as Agent Errors & Omissions, Homeowners and Flood Insurance expert. Case required expertise as to the effect revised FEMA flood zone maps have on available coverage. Seale v. Lyons Insurance Agency, No.: 2007-6427, 14th Judicial District Court, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. Attorney David Calogero, Davidson Meaux Attorneys, (337) 237-1660.
Designated by plaintiff counsel as their Property Insurance Expert regarding a horse barn insured under a Farm & Ranch Owners insurance program. Case involved the barn being significantly underinsured after a tornado caused a total loss. Runyon v. Goetz Insurors, et al; Case No. CJ-2005-3716 in District Court for Oklahoma County, State of Oklahoma. Attorney Joe Carson 405-604-5581, Buxton | Carson, PLLC.
Retained by counsel for Successor Federal Receiver as their Property and Homeowners Insurance expert regarding a total fire loss to an uninsured vacant dwelling. Case issues included responsibilities of Receiver in regards to insurable interest. Attorney Greg Ostfeld, Greenberg Traurig, LLP (312) 476-5056. Le Petomane v. J. Brian Hittinger, US District Court for The Northern District of Indiana, No. 2:98-CV-00012.
Engaged by counsel for plaintiff to assist with Agent Errors & Omissions and Homeowners claims issues in regard to Excess Flood Insurance. Attorney Peter Koeppel – Best Koeppel Attorneys (504) 598-1000. Best v. Independent Insurance Associates, Inc., Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans, State of Louisiana; No. 05-13441, Division “H”, Docket No. 12.; Best v. Independent Insurance Associates, Inc. and Employers Reinsurance Corporation; United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana; No. 06-1130, Section “C”, Magistrate 5.
Retained by plaintiff counsel as Homeowners Insurance Expert to advise regarding Agent Errors & Omissions allegations for failure to replace Dwelling Fire Policy coverage, and claims handling “customs and practice”. Attorney Guillermo Cronfel – The Cronfel Firm (512) 347-9600; Olga Palacios v. AIC-Sunbelt Group, Inc., et al, Cause No. 276966 in The County Court at Law No. Two (2) of Travis County, Texas.

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