Sinkhole Reports
Sinkholes are a major problem for many homeowners, especially those that live in sinkhole prone states, such as Florida. They can be a real danger to you and your family; if a small sinkhole develops under or near your home, it could cause foundation issues like a sinking or settled foundation, or foundation cracks. Larger sinkholes may even lead to your entire home collapsing. Clearly, sinkholes are a serious issue and should not be taken lightly. It can be difficult to know, however, if your home is in an area that is likely to develop sinkholes.
Often, insurance companies will test for sinkholes on property and do not immediately release the report to the homeowners. There are certain databases, such as the FGS SIR’s, that may show if your property is in a sinkhole area, but insurance companies do not send their reports to these databases and they are normally comprised of voluntary data. If your insurance company tested for sinkholes at your residence, you are entitled to a copy of the report by law (627.7073, F.S.: Sinkhole Reports). If your insurance company has performed sinkhole tests and has not given you a copy of the report, there a few different courses of action that you can take.
The first is to contact your insurance provider and ask that they give you a copy of the sinkhole report. The next person you can contact that may have the report is the engineer or geologist of the report. You may also contact your county Clerk of Court, as 627.7073 (2)(a) requires that the company also file a copy of the report with the county Clerk of Court. Sinkholes are a serious threat to the safety of your home and should not be taken lightly. If your home’s foundation is compromised due to a sinkhole, contact the sinkhole repair experts at Foundation Professionals of Florida.
