The Florida Insurance Guaranty Association (FIGA), created by legislation, handles the claims of insolvent Florida property and casualty insurance companies.

FIGA is made up of all Florida licensed direct writers of property and/or Casualty Insurance Companies. Surplus lines insurance companies are not eligible to be members of FIGA.

Florida has recently had five insurance carriers declared insolvent. If you have insurance with Western General Insurance Company, Global Liberty Insurance Company of New York, St. John’s Insurance Company, Avatar Property & Casualty Insurance Company or Lighthouse Property Insurance Corporation, and are in the process of completing an insurance claim – the claim will be turned over to Florida Insurance Guarantee Association to finish out the insurance claim handling process.

Attorney fees are not awarded to an attorney for handing a claim that has gone to FIGA. This means that the policy holder will have to pay an attorney out of the proceeds of their recovery. These fees are not recoverable against your insolvent insurance carrier or FIGA.

So, what options are available to you the policy holder if you don’t wish to pay attorney fees. It depends on your initial insurance policy’s language.

If the initial insurance policy allowed for appraisal, then Dispute Resolution of your insurance claim may be available.

Florida Insurance Claim Appraisal will be happy to review your insurance policy at no charge to see if the appraisal process is available to you. Call us today at 954-978-0886.