NU Online News Service

Florida officials said they are expanding the state's insurance mediation program for homeowners to include condominium associations in dispute with their carriers in the wake of this year's hurricanes.

The mediation program was set up for homeowners last year after a series of major hurricanes hit the state and has helped more than 11,000 insureds with storm claims reach an agreement with their insurer, according to the Florida Department of Financial Services.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher said expanding the program to condominium associations would help speed the rebuilding process after the storms.

"Many condominium communities in our state have not yet started to rebuild because they are struggling with their insurance companies to get their claims paid," said Mr. Gallagher. "My goal is to offer them a no-cost alternative to resolving their claims and help them successfully recover from catastrophic losses."

The mediation program will offer a dispute resolution process for condominium associations and other commercial residential properties to resolve disputes relating to their hurricane claims before the parties take legal action.

There is no cost for the mediation program and participation does not affect a condominium association's ability to bring the case to court if no agreement is reached.

If a request for mediation is received, the department said it will inform the insurance company involved that it has 21 days to settle the claim, or it will have to appear at mediation with the policyholder or its legal representative. Court-certified mediators provided through the Collins Center for Public Policy, which has offices in Miami and Tallahassee, will oversee the mediation process.

Special Reports /

Fla. Expands Hurricane Damage Mediation

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