It's not rocket science... “Free Sinkhole Inspections”

Are “Free Sinkhole Inspections” legitimate?


“Non-Engineer” Answer: NO

Explanation: A legitimate (and legal) sinkhole inspection can only be performed by a licensed and qualified geotechnical engineer licensed in your particular State. Further, once a geotechnical engineer has determined if a sinkhole exists then only a State licensed and qualified structural engineer can determine if the sinkhole has impacted the structure to the point of requiring structural repairs.

Commentary: More and more homeowners are being duped into filing sinkhole claims by individuals and companies offering “Free Sinkhole Inspections”. The game plays out like this; first you make the call, next you get a visit from the individual offering the “free” inspection, then you are either referred to or contacted by a public adjustor who encourages you to file an insurance claim. The homeowner is harmed at the end of the day after the claim is settled and the homeowner’s representatives have taken their share, there is not enough money left to fix the house (if it even needed to be fixed in the first place). For more information on legitimate Sinkhole investigations please visit: http://www.fas3.org/

This fact is underscored by a recent paper posted by the Florida Insurance Council which states in part: “The ineffectiveness and inherent fraud surrounding the current sinkhole claims process is underscored by a recent review that indicates only 27 percent of policyholders with moneys paid as a result of sinkhole claims actually had repairs done to their property”. For more information on this study please go to: http://www.flains.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5036:whit