Homeowners responsible for property damages if sinkholes occur
Residents with sinkholes on their property should be aware of several key factors as they seek to recoup their losses, state officials said.
Because of Florida’s geology, more sinkholes form here than in any other state, so a homeowner’s insurance policy covering sinkhole damage is recommended.
And if a sinkhole appears on private property—even if the formation was triggered by outside factors such as drought, new construction, heavy rain or heavy ground-water pumping—the property owner is responsible for the damages and repair, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
State law does not require insurance companies to include sinkhole coverage on new homeowners’ insurance policies, according to the state Department of Financial Services. Insurance companies are required to inform clients that sinkhole coverage is extra, at an additional premium.