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29
Dec

Spring Hill Homeowner Fights Citizens Insurance Denial of Vandalism Claim

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Spring Hill Homeowner Vandalism Claim Denied by Citizens

By Chad T. Wilson Law Firm Staff — based on reporting by JC Hallman and John Dobberstein December 3rd, 2025

Tom Luby, a homeowner in Spring Hill, Florida, was twice denied by Citizens Insurance for his nearly $100,000 vandalism claim on his rental property. The property damage is extensive, with stolen and destroyed appliances, significant debris inside and outside the premises, and damaged floors.

According to WFTS, Citizens Insurance stated the extensive damage was an “incomplete remodel” of the home, and not vandalism caused by the evicted tenants. Unfortunately, Mr. Luby is unable to take the insurance company to court due to Florida’s insurance reform laws, after being denied twice. He is “forced into meditation” with the Florida Division of Administrative Hearing. (WTFS) The insurer’s refusal to pay highlights problems with the insurance dispute process, which critics claim unfairly benefits the state-backed insurance company.

Florida’s Insurance Reform Law

Under recent insurance reform laws, such as House Bill 799 and enacted changes in 2023, policyholders with Citizens must resolve disputes through arbitration before the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) rather than filing a lawsuit in regular court. The impact of these changes “would speed up hearings and save money.” (Yahoo Finance)

Controversies Around the DOAH Process

Luby himself stated that “three different attorneys” declined to represent him because they believed you “can’t win” under the current system. (Yahoo Finance). Also, Luby’s attorney, who represents him in the mediation, “questioned the neutrality of the DOAH judges” as many of the judges are “former defense lawyers that represented insurance companies.” Investigations by ProPublica and reporting from Florida media have revealed that Citizens wins more than 90% of final hearings at the DOAH. In contrast, when cases go through traditional circuit courts, the insurer wins roughly 55% of the time. (Yahoo Finance).

This disparity raises concerns that the forced arbitration process:

  • Strongly favors insurers

  • Discourages attorneys from taking cases

  • Leaves homeowners feeling they have “no chance” of justice

In addition, Citizens CEO Tim Cerio “defended the mediation process”, stating that policyholders go through a “6-step review of the claim” before being required to attend a DOAH hearing. He further noted that “all disputed claims sent to DOAH, 37% are settled before the final hearing.” (Yahoo Finance)

Denied Property Insurance Claim?

If your homeowner’s insurance claim has been denied, delayed, or underpaid, call the  property insurance attorneys at the Chad T. Wilson Law Firm at (833) 942-0678. We protect the rights of policyholders around the nation. Reach out to us today for a free consultation.

19
Dec

Insurance Costs Push Homeowners to Reduce Coverage, Increasing Risk

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Homeowners Reduce Insurance Coverage Costs

Growing Insurance Costs Push Homeowners

By Chad T. Wilson Law Firm Staff — based on reporting by JC Hallman and John Dobberstein December 3rd, 2025

As we head into 2026, many homeowners are renewing their insurance policies only to find higher deductibles and more complex coverage terms than in past years. Escalating insurance expenses have become increasingly prevalent over the last several years, forcing homeowners to make difficult decisions about coverage.

According to a recent home insurance study by J.D. Power, “47% of homeowners in 2025 have experienced a premium increase in the past year.”

A Growing Trend Toward Higher Out-of-Pocket Costs

To manage rising insurance expenses, more homeowners are opting to accept the risk of a higher deductible. According to the Insurance Information Institute, “increasing your deductible from $500 to $1,000 may decrease your premium by approximately 10% to 25%” (Realtor.com).

Deductibles are the amount you must pay before your insurance coverage applies, and they are rising across many markets. One strategy homeowners are using to lessen premium increases is “opting for higher deductibles” (Realtor.com). While this can reduce insurance costs, it also means homeowners bear more of the financial risk if property damage occurs.

What Areas Are Being Impacted the Most

Homeowners in risk-prone areas are experiencing the most significant changes. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, insurance premiums often rise fastest in areas with the highest risk of natural disasters, such as hurricanes or wildfires (“insurance premiums often rise in areas with the highest risk of natural disasters such as hurricanes or wildfires”) (Realtor.com).

Additionally, Rick McCathron, President and CEO of Hippo Home Insurance, has stated that “higher deductibles are becoming more common across the Midwest and other regions heavily affected by hail and convective storms,” highlighting the increasing severity of weather patterns (Realtor.com).

Start the Year by Reviewing Your Coverage

Before renewing your homeowners insurance policy, it is important to take the time to evaluate your current coverage. Insurance companies routinely adjust policy terms year to year, and 2026 is no exception.

With rising construction costs, inflation, and more frequent severe weather events, insurers are changing how policies are structured by including how deductibles are calculated and applied. A careful review now can help homeowners avoid unpleasant surprises later and better prepare for potential claims.

Protect Yourself Before a Claim Happens

Taking the time to review your policy now is critical, but understanding how those provisions are applied during a claim is equally important. If your claim is delayed, underpaid, or denied, you do not have to face the insurance company alone.

At Chad T. Wilson, we help businesses and homeowners hold insurers accountable for the full benefits they are owed under their policies. If you need assistance with a property insurance claim, contact our firm today for a free consultation.

05
Dec

State Farm Denies Oklahoma Homeowner Hail Claims

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State Farm Denies Oklahoma Hail Claims

Oklahoma Homeowners Battle State Farm

By Chad T. Wilson Law Firm Staff — based on reporting by JC Hallman and John Dobberstein December 3rd, 2025

Several severe hailstorms struck Oklahoma in October, damaging thousands of homes across the state. To make matters worse, a growing wave of recent lawsuits suggests that many homeowners are being denied or underpaid for hail damage to their roofs by State Farm. If your home in Oklahoma has recently survived a hail storm and your insurance claim was denied or severely underpaid, you may not be alone.

A Growing Number of Homeowners Take State Farm to Court

According to recent investigative reporting and court filings, “More than 100 Oklahoma families have taken the insurance giant, State Farm, to court, alleging the company schemed to deny hail damage claims and pocket billions of dollars.” (KFOR) The high out-of-pocket costs for roof repairs, often totaling thousands of dollars, have been left to Oklahomans to pay.

The Hursh Case 

The October 4, 2023 Storm

On October 4th, 2023, Billy and Lacy Hursh’s home in Broken Arrow suffered significant hail damage to their home. Contractors told the Hurshes that they needed a full roof replacement. Upon filing his claim, Billy Hursh, a policyholder since age 16, received an offer from State Farm in the amount of $1,400 against an estimated $22,000 cost of repairs.

Second Storm, Same Results

Eight months later, a second hailstorm hit. This time, State Farm insisted the total damage was below their deductible. In the end, the Hursh family had to borrow $22,000 against their home to replace the roof. (BASentinel)

A State Farm customer since he was 16, Hursh said the experience “made [him] feel like a sucker,” and that the company was not acting in good faith.

Allegations: The Wind Hail Model Enhancement Team and Pre-denied Claims

Recently, Oklahoma Watch described an internal State Farm initiative launched around 2020: a Wind Hail Model Enhancement Team was formed with the specific goal of cutting hail claim costs by 50% (Medium)

According to those filings (allegations, not facts):

  • A 2020 meeting at a State Farm high-rise in Illinois kicked off a hail claims “enhancement” push
  • Adjusters were allegedly trained to resist full roof replacements, minimize hail as “wear and tear” or “preexisting,” and rely on outside consultants to narrow what counted as covered hail damage.
  • The initiative was allegedly launched in Dallas County, Texas, in June 2020 and was extended to Oklahoma and other “hail states” before going nationwide within six months. (Oklahoman)

Plaintiff’s lawyers say this amounted to “pre-denying” hail claims to save the company billions. State Farm’s attorneys say this was simply a change in claims-handling features and emphatically deny this was a fraudulent scheme.

125 Cases And Multimillion-Dollar Settlements

Before the Hursh lawsuit, an Oklahoma City law firm brought 125 separate hail cases against State Farm. All 125 cases reached confidential settlements. Later court hearings revealed that at least one of those homes had been settled for $3 million. One judge openly questioned why State Farm would pay that kind of money on a relatively modest–$250,000–house unless there were more at stake.

State Farm accidentally disclosed some of these confidential settlement figures by submitting them to CLUE (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange), a system insurers use to view claim histories. Other carriers saw these huge roof settlements and, according to plaintiffs, either refused new coverage or jacked up premiums for the homeowners involved.

Recent hearings in the Hursh case prompted District Court Judge Amy Palumbo to be rather blunt about the situation, stating, “This is not about $1,400.” With seven lawyers in the room arguing over what counts as a “document”, she suggested this is just the top of a much larger iceberg involving many cases with State Farm.

Why Is It Important For Oklahoma Homeowners

Many Oklahomans are experiencing:

  • Quick denials without thorough inspections
  • Refusal to cover full roof replacement and issuing only partial costs
  • Conflicting adjuster assessments with third parties
  • Homeowners left with large out-of-pocket repairs

What to Do If State Farm Has Denied or Underpaid Your Hail Damage Claim

If you believe your hail damage claim was wrongly denied or underpaid by State Farm, or if your roof was damaged:

Get an independent inspection

Roofing contractors or a third-party inspector may document damage differently from the insurer’s adjuster.

Document everything

Keep a record of:

  • Storm dates
  • Photos before and after the damage
  • Adjuster reports
  • Contractor estimates
  • Preserve all paperwork or correspondence with the insurance company

These documents are essential proof if legal proceedings are needed.

Consult an experienced property damage insurance attorney

Given the number of similar lawsuits and the complex allegations involved, legal guidance may be necessary to secure fair compensation. Many homeowners recover significantly more with representation than they were initially offered.

How Chad T. Wilson Law Firm Can Help

At Chad T. Wilson Law Firm, we have extensive experience in representing homeowners across Oklahoma in hail damage claims against State Farm. Our firm has successfully represented over 9,000 policyholders nationwide, helping families receive the coverage their insurance policies promise.

If your claims were denied or underpaid, you may have legal options. Contact us today for a free consultation on your property damage claim.