Security First Insurance

Florida has a higher risk of sinkholes than any other state in the country. Security First Insurance realizes the importance of having the right coverage for your home. Below are answers to questions you should be asking when considering the sinkhole coverage you need for your home.

What's included in Security First Insurance's
base policy?

Your policy with Security First Insurance Company automatically provides coverage for damage to your home due to a "catastrophic ground collapse." Florida law affirms that catastrophic ground collapse does not occur until all of the following four conditions have been met:

• There is an abrupt collapse of the ground cover;
• There is a depression in the ground cover clearly visible to the naked eye;
• There is structural damage to the building, including the foundation; and
• The structure is condemned and ordered to be vacant by the local government agency responsible for issuing condemnation orders.

Are there additional coverages I should consider?

At your option, for an additional premium, and subject to a satisfactory inspection, you may purchase “Optional Sinkhole Loss” coverage for damage to your home from settlements called sinkhole activity. This includes movement or raveling of soils, sediments or rock material into underground voids (if the voids have been created by the effect of water on limestone or other rock formations). Damage to your home from other types of earth movement or settlement is not covered by this endorsement or the base policy. If you decide that you do not want the additional “Optional Sinkhole Loss” coverage and would like the base policy from Security First Insurance, you will need to sign the Optional Sinkhole Loss Coverage Disclosure Form.

What do I need to do to purchase the addtional Optional Sinkhole Loss Coverage?

Security First Insurance takes your coverage seriously. We want to be sure that the type of coverage you need is the type you purchase.

Optional Sinkhole Loss Coverage is available to all Florida homeowners. However, if you live in any of the ZIP Codes on this list, you'll need to follow an easy step-by-step process that you and your insurance agent must complete in order for you to obtain Optional Sinkhole Loss Coverage. The steps to this process are listed below:

1. You must first pay your Security First Insurance policy premium.
2. Sign the Optional Sinkhole Loss Coverage Disclosure Form. Your insurance agent must fax or mail this signed form to Security First's Agency Services in order for the policy to be issued.
3. Your insurance agent will order an inspection from SDII Global Corporation (SDII) by filling out an online application on the SDII Web site. Are you looking for an insurance agent? Click here.
4. The total cost of the inspection is $140. This is a one-time, non-refundable fee. You are required to pay $70 upon the order of your inspection. Security First Insurance will pay the remaining $70.
5. A representative of SDII will contact you for an appointment.
6. A copy of the inspection report will be mailed to you and to Security First Insurance Company’s Underwriting Department.
7. Security First Insurance will evaluate the inspection and advise you of the underwriting decision on whether or not the coverage is available. The entire process from submitting an application for a policy to the underwriting decision may take up to 30 days.
8. If Optional Sinkhole Loss Coverage is not available, you may cancel your policy and your unearned policy premium will be refunded. The inspection fee is non-refundable and has no cash value.

How will I know if the inspection is approved?

A letter will be sent to you and your insurance agent with the decision. If approved, you will also be billed the additional amount for the Optional Sinkhole Loss Coverage and receive revised policy documents. Once you receive your inspection, you may have additional questions. Click here to preview our "Understanding Your Inspection" document.

When will the coverage become effective?

If the inspection is approved, the Optional Sinkhole Loss Coverage becomes effective on the date the inspection was conducted.

What is included in the inspection?

The inspection will document existing damage, evaluate the structural integrity of the dwelling and verify that there is no current or proximate sinkhole activity. We look at the condition of the following:

• Property
• Construction
• Current site
• Pool/hot tub
• Surrounding area
• Interior

The conditions we look for are used to screen for sinkhole and other geological hazards.

For more information please call us toll-free at 877-333-9992.