MINNESOTA: Update to Important Insurance Claim Deadlines
A common question we are asked is how long a policyholder has to complete the claims process after a covered loss. The classic answer is that it depends on the ...
RECENT ARTICLES
Why Matching Coverage Matters in Minnesota
The purpose of a property insurance policy is usually to restore the property to its “pre-loss” condition. In the event ...
“You Can’t Make Me!” Vaccination Considerations for HOA Boards and Common Interest Communities
COVID-19 vaccines are now readily available to any Minnesotan who wishes to be inoculated. In fact, Minnesota is one of ...
SJJ Forces a Colorado Insurance Company to Participate in Appraisal
In the case of Pallarito vs. American Family, Smith Jadin Johnson attorneys Christopher Drake, Jared McLuskey, and Zac Morgan successfully compelled ...
SJJ Attorneys Anthony Remick and Tim Johnson Secure Minnesota Policyholders Right to Appraisal
An insurance company’s refusal to appraise a disputed loss “was done in bad faith” according to a Minnesota Judge. In ...
Who’s Going to Pay for This? Common Expenses and Limited Assessments in Minnesota HOAs
Two common topics of discussion in condominium and townhome associations are: (1) who is responsible for the maintenance, repair, and ...
Colorado: Covid-19 Safety Measures in Common Areas for Common Interest Communities
Community associations, like all other entities in the United States, have had to learn to navigate a new landscape of COVID-19 restrictions in the past year. Associations have had to adapt to the ever-changing situation on the fly, filling in the gaps left by government guidelines and legal requirements in order to fulfill their obligation to, among others, safely maintain…
Insurance companies refuse payouts after hailstorms
Colorado homeowners are facing serious damages as a result of hailstorms throughout the state. However, when they file a claim with their homeowners’ insurance policies for the storm damage, they are facing delays, denials and lowered estimates that could hinder their opportunity to recover from the damage caused by the hail. In the past decade, homeowners and businesspeople in the…
What to know about storm damage claims
When a storm hits in Colorado or other states, it is possible that it could cause damage to a person’s home. However, there is no guarantee that an insurance policy will cover the cost of repairing that damage. In some cases, an insurance policy will damage caps or other limits that may leave a homeowner paying for some repairs out…
How to file an insurance claim
Those who have an insurance policy may feel at ease knowing that there is financial protection in case of emergency. However, the process of filing a claim after a natural disaster or other event that causes damage may be confusing to policyholders. The first step in the process is to review the policy itself to get a better idea of…
What Winter Home Repairs are Covered by Homeowners Insurance
Winter in Minnesota is brutal. Snow accumulates, and when the sun shines, it melts and turns into ice. When you combine these wintry elements with freezing temperatures, it creates particularly dangerous conditions. This can cause issues in your home. You may wonder if winter home repairs are covered by homeowners insurance. Here is what you need to know about a…
Hail damage costs billions nationwide each year
Anytime a large storm hits, you hear about the hail damage. But how much does that damage cost Americans each year? The Insurance Information Institute states that 2017 saw 6,045 major hail storms, which caused about $1.8 billion in crop and property damage. When combined with wind damage, that figure rises to well over $2 billion. Where does hail hit…
Duty to Cooperate in Property Damage Claims
An insurance policy is a contract that is binding and enforceable on both the policyholder and the insurance company. Within the policy, both parties have certain obligation and duties. The “duty to cooperate” is one of the most important policyholder duties. From a practical viewpoint, the duty to cooperate requires the policyholder to allow an insurance company to investigate the…