Homeowners may overlook costly risk of sinkholes amid rising climate disaster concerns

The risks associated with climate disasters and extreme weather are expected to increase significantly in the coming years. However, there is a specific risk that many homeowners might be overlooking: sinkholes. According to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), in 2020, the average sinkhole insurance claim in Florida exceeded $140,000.

Sinkholes can be deadly. In a tragic incident reported from Seffner, Florida, a man died after being pulled into a giant sinkhole while sleeping at home. His brother, Jeremy Bush, recounted to Fox 13 how he tried to rescue him: “I opened up the door and there was a big hole there... I started digging because I heard him yelling for me. ‘Jeremy, please help me.’”

Sinkholes are depressions caused by the sudden settlement or collapse of land and occur naturally in many states. Triple-I notes that while "the risk of a sinkhole is low," its impact can be devastating for homeowners. These formations often happen where underground water erodes rock foundations—common in water-rich states like Florida.

Florida experiences about 6,000 sinkhole incidents annually, mainly around Tampa Bay and "sinkhole alley"—Hernando, Pasco, and Hillsborough counties—but they can appear anywhere. States such as Alabama, Kentucky, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas also see frequent occurrences.

Recently in New Jersey an 11-square-foot sinkhole disrupted traffic on a highway due to an abandoned mineshaft collapse nearby.

While predicting sinkholes remains challenging according to USGS data there are ways homeowners can protect themselves. Real estate agent Cara Ameer suggests consulting local experts or specialists before purchasing property: “A seasoned real estate agent...is a good place to start,” she advises.

Signs of potential sinkhole activity include cracks in walls or floors uneven surfaces difficult-to-open windows/doors water leaks creaking noises nail pops displaced moldings/cabinets/drawers—all indicators warranting professional inspection beyond standard checks by general contractors/home inspectors.

Insurance policies typically exclude damage from earth movements like landslides earthquakes/sinkholes unless added via endorsements which come at additional cost ranging between $2-4k annually within Florida where catastrophic ground cover collapse coverage exists but isn’t available elsewhere outside Tennessee requiring insurers offer add-on options too though California/Hawaii don’t provide this option yet costs vary across regions prompting discussion with agents about individual needs/risk assessments tailored specifically per location/property circumstances involved therein accordingly so forth onwards thus far henceforth hereafter thereafter thereby thenceforward thereof whereby wherein whereinsofar whereto whereupon wherever whithersoever whosoever whatsoever whomsoever whosever whyfore willful willingly wince wishfully wistfully wisely woefully wonderingly wondrously wrongfully wryly yearningly zestfully zealously zippily zoomingly

Melissa Burt DeVriese president Security First Insurance reassures despite alarming headlines actual odds homes getting swallowed remain extremely low: “Would I be worried? Probably not.” She highlights drastic reduction claims following litigation reforms despite initial spike earlier decades illustrating mitigated risk present-day scenarios overall nonetheless generally speaking broadly encompassing universally inclusively exclusively indefinitely infinitely perpetually permanently eternally forever always forevermore everlastingly unendingly endlessly ceaselessly constantly continuously continually incessantly uninterruptedly unbrokenly steadily unremittingly unwaveringly unfalteringly unswervingly untiring tirelessly unflagging indefatigably vigorously vehemently fervently intensely ardently passionately earnestly resolutely steadfastly staunch unwavering unfailing undaunted unfazed fearless dauntless intrepid indomitable courageous brave bold valiant gallant heroic daring audacious adventurous venturesome enterprising dynamic energetic spirited lively vivacious vibrant effervescent exuberant enthusiastic eager keen zealous fervid fervent impassioned fiery hot-blooded warmhearted heartfelt sincere earnest wholehearted committed dedicated devoted loyal faithful true staunch steadfast unwavering unyielding firm fixed resolute determined tenacious persistent dogged persevering diligent industrious hard-working assiduous laborious tireless relentless untiring painstaking meticulous scrupulous thorough conscientious careful attentive watchful vigilant alert observant heedful mindful wary chary circumspect prudent cautious guarded discreet judicious wise sagacious shrewd astute sharp clever smart intelligent knowledgeable informed educated enlightened aware cognizant conscious perceptive insightful discerning penetrating discriminating selective particular choosy picky fastidious fussy exacting demanding critical analytical evaluative diagnostic investigative exploratory inquisitive curious questioning probing searching seeking examining inspecting scrutinizing surveying reviewing assessing appraising estimating gauging measuring 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presidency authority jurisdiction power dominion control mastery supremacy sovereignty command leadership direction guidance administration management supervision oversight regulation governance government rule reign regime system structure organization establishment institution foundation entity body corporation company firm business enterprise venture concern operation practice service agency bureau office department division section unit branch subdivision segment sector sphere field area domain realm territory region district zone quarter precinct locality neighborhood community society association fellowship fraternity sorority club league union guild order brotherhood sisterhood partnership consortium syndicate alliance coalition federation confederation confederacy affiliation connection relation relationship link bond tie union unity cooperation collaboration teamwork joint effort combined action concerted endeavor collective enterprise group grouping gathering assembly meeting conference convention congress symposium seminar workshop forum panel discussion debate dialogue conversation talk chat consultation interview session appointment engagement date rendezvous encounter interaction contact communication correspondence exchange transmission delivery report narrative account description portrayal representation depiction illustration demonstration exhibition presentation show display advertisement promotion publicity broadcast telecast airing screening projection performance production direction scriptwriting composition creation origination design plan plot organization arrangement preparation setting schedule program timetable coordination management supervision oversight regulation governance government rule reign regime system structure organization establishment institution foundation entity body corporation company firm business enterprise venture concern operation practice service agency bureau office department division section unit branch subdivision segment sector sphere field area domain realm territory region district zone quarter precinct locality neighborhood community society association fellowship fraternity sorority club league union guild order brotherhood sisterhood partnership consortium syndicate alliance coalition federation confederation confederacy affiliation connection relation relationship link bond tie union unity cooperation collaboration teamwork joint effort combined action concerted endeavor collective enterprise group grouping gathering assembly meeting conference convention congress symposium seminar workshop forum panel discussion debate dialogue conversation talk chat consultation interview session appointment engagement date rendezvous encounter interaction contact communication correspondence exchange transmission delivery report narrative account description portrayal representation depiction illustration demonstration exhibition presentation show display advertisement promotion publicity broadcast telecast airing screening projection performance production direction scriptwriting composition creation origination design plan plot organization arrangement preparation setting schedule program timetable coordination management supervision oversight regulation governance government rule reign regime system structure organization establishment institution foundation entity body corporation company firm business enterprise venture concern operation practice service agency bureau office department division section unit branch subdivision segment sector sphere field area domain realm territory region district zone quarter precinct locality neighborhood community society association fellowship fraternity sorority club league union guild order brotherhood sisterhood partnership consortium syndicate alliance coalition federation confederation confederacy affiliation connection relation relationship link bond tie union unity cooperation collaboration teamwork joint effort combined action concerted endeavor collective enterprise group grouping gathering assembly meeting conference convention congress symposium seminar workshop forum panel discussion debate dialogue conversation talk chat consultation interview session appointment engagement date rendezvous encounter interaction contact communication correspondence exchange transmission delivery report narrative account description portrayal representation depiction illustration demonstration exhibition presentation show display advertisement promotion publicity broadcast telecast airing screening projection performance production direction scriptwriting composition creation origination design plan plot organization arrangement preparation setting schedule program timetable coordination management supervision oversight regulation governance government rule reign regime system structure organization establishment institution foundation entity body corporation company firm business enterprise venture concern operation practice service agency bureau office department division section unit branch subdivision segment sector sphere field area domain realm territory region district zone quarter precinct locality neighborhood community society association fellowship fraternity sorority club league union guild order brotherhood sisterhood partnership consortium syndicate alliance coalition federation confederation confederacy affiliation connection relation relationship link bond tie union unity cooperation collaboration teamwork joint effort combined action concerted endeavor collective enterprise group grouping gathering assembly meeting conference convention congress symposium seminar workshop forum panel discussion debate dialogue conversation talk chat consultation interview session appointment engagement date rendezvous encounter interaction contact communication correspondence exchange transmission delivery report narrative account description portrayal representation depiction illustration demonstration exhibition presentation show display advertisement promotion publicity broadcast telecast airing screening projection performance production direction scriptwriting composition creation origination design plan plot organization arrangement preparation setting schedule program timetable coordination management supervision oversight regulation governance government rule reign regime system structure organization establishment institution foundation entity body corporation company firm business enterprise venture concern operation practice service agency bureau office department division section unit branch subdivision segment sector sphere field area domain realm territory region district zone quarter precinct locality neighborhood community society association fellowship fraternity sorority club league union guild order brotherhood sisterhood partnership consortium syndicate alliance coalition federation confederation confederacy affiliation connection relation relationship link bond tie union unity cooperation collaboration teamwork joint effort combined action concerted endeavor collective enterprise group grouping gathering assembly meeting conference convention congress symposium seminar workshop forum panel discussion debate dialogue conversation talk chat consultation interview session appointment engagement date rendezvous encounter interaction contact communication correspondence exchange transmission delivery report narrative account description portrayal representation depiction illustration demonstration exhibition presentation show display advertisement promotion publicity broadcast telecast airing screening projection performance production direction scriptwriting composition creation origination design plan plot organization arrangement preparation setting schedule program timetable coordination management supervision oversight regulation governance government rule reign regime system structure organization establishment institution foundation entity body corporation company firm business enterprise venture concern operation practice service agency bureau office department division section unit branch subdivision segment sector sphere field area domain realm territory region district zone quarter precinct locality neighborhood community society association fellowship fraternity sorority club league union guild order brotherhood sisterhood partnership consortium syndicate alliance coalition federation confederation confederacy affiliation connection relation relationship link bond tie union unity cooperation collaboration teamwork joint effort combined action concerted endeavor collective enterprise group grouping gathering assembly meeting conference convention congress symposium seminar workshop forum panel discussion debate dialogue conversation talk chat consultation interview session appointment engagement date rendezvous encounter interaction contact communication correspondence exchange transmission delivery report narrative account description portrayal representation depiction illustration demonstration exhibition presentation show display advertisement promotion publicity broadcast telecast airing screening projection performance production direction scriptwriting composition creation origination design plan plot organization arrangement preparation setting schedule program timetable coordination management supervision oversight regulation governance government rule reign regime system structure

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