[G.R.I.T.S.]

Originally Posted by Cheryl Barrios

I am in the process of buying a home and have to provide insurance. I was just denied insurance by Progressive because of a sinkhole 0.2 miles from the home. I am totally unaware of any sinkholes in the Village of Sunset Pointe. I have contacted the realtor but it's too late to contact anyone else. Does anyone know of a sinkhole(s) or know about denial of insurance due to them? Now I'm lost on what to do.

I've lived in sunset pointe for 15+ years and know of two, both near our home and both beyond 5 year declaration limit.

[RedFoxRick]

We are in the process of moving to TV (close on our home next week). The first house we put a deposit on (Calamut Grove) was denied by my insurance company, Amica, who I have worked with for over 35 years. They typically do not insure homes in Florida, but they make exceptions for long-term customers. However the first house was within .3 miles of a sinkhole and they would not insure it. I actually passed on two more houses after checking with my insurance company - they had the latest map - and the homes were also within .3 to sink holes. We did find a lovely place in Village of Dunedin where closest sink hole was 1.5 miles away. It wasn't only about insurance, w also used the ability to get insurance as a way to mange overall risk (who wants the risk of a sink hole in Central Florida - where they are almost as plentiful as golf carts). We are happy we stayed with Amica and they gave us a big discount once we had a wind mitigation report done when the house was inspected pre-sale (saved over $600 a year with a $75 inspection report). I think real estate salespeople should be more aware of the sinkhole risks and locations to help a buyer and seller understand the risks going-in.

[Catalina36]

I recently purchased in TV in October. I used Allstate, The Bascom Agency, 1-352-753-1177. Speak with Alyssa, Excellent Service.
I live in the Ashland Village.

[caseycasebeer]

A previous poster mentioned sinkhole coverage (that may not be available), but also stated that all FL policies cover “catastrophic ground collapse.”

What’s the difference?

[bowlingal]

go to AAA for insurance

[GRACEALLEMAN]

What you need what you need to do is call community development of the villages. And ask them about the sinkholes in that area, I would also if your nearby go to the neighbors, knock on doors and ask what insurance they use, this should have been told to you by the realtor she should have done her leg work and figure this one out... Also just because progressive denies it does not mean other ones will deny it. I would check around do not give up yet.

[themarinos]

I have a policy through TV Insurance group with ASI with Sink Hole coverage and now its
ASI/Progressive renewed in May

[Pbthrockm@msn.com]

Where do you get this map.

[NoMo50]

Our homeowners insurance, in Chitty Chatty, was written by Progressive/AS I, and does include sinkhole coverage. So, yes, they do offer the coverage. I can't speak for all areas. We went through The Villages Insurance...Stacee Shroeder.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by caseycasebeer

A previous poster mentioned sinkhole coverage (that may not be available), but also stated that all FL policies cover “catastrophic ground collapse.”

What’s the difference?

It's a little complicated, but here is a good explanation.

“Catastrophic ground cover collapse” is
defined as “geological activity that results in all
of the following:
1. The abrupt collapse of the
ground cover;
2. A depression in the ground cover
clearly visible to the naked eye;
3. Structural damage to the building
including the foundation; and
4. The insured structure being
condemned and ordered
to be vacated by the government
agency authorized by law to issue
such an order for that structure.”

If you do not purchase sinkhole coverage and
your home is damaged by sinkhole activity,
the only coverage you have is for catastrophic
ground cover collapse and if the damage does
not meet all four criteria required for catastrophic
ground cover collapse – for instance, you may
have foundation cracks, but the home is still
livable – your insurance company may not pay
for the damage.

[Beanze]

Originally Posted by banjobob

I was told by Progressive they would not
write home insurance in Florida. Does anyone have Progressive here?

Yes, we have progressive & we purchased a home in June of 2020 Village of Amelia

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by banjobob

I was told by Progressive they would not
write home insurance in Florida. Does anyone have Progressive here?

I have Progressive homeowners insurance and it includes sinkhole coverage. I just renewed the policy.

[Villages Kahuna]

Find another insurance company. Their underwriters have decided to limit risk. You won’t win the argument. When we moved here our longtime auto and homeowners insurance company, USAA, wasn’t writing any homeowners insurance in Florida, none!

After several years USAA returned to writing homeowners policies, but only very selectively in very few, well-defined areas. They still avoid any areas with sinkhole risk or coastal areas which could suffer hurricane hits and will only write a certain number of policies.

[lmack]

I've used Villages Insurance for years, 4 properties, 2 just ground collapse and 2 sink hole coverage.
Shopped around last year and still they had the best price (included AAA, USAA, State Farm and Allstate in my shop).

[Indiana Randy]

Allstate, The Bascom Agency, 1-352-753-1177 Tim Bascom comes to our Real Estate office often and talks about this.