In a recent development in Nassau County, Florida, a judge has leveled severe criticism against a prominent property insurance provider, Universal Property & Casualty Insurance, accusing the company of obstructing policyholders and flouting court directives.
Court records reveal a mounting tally of grievances filed against Universal Property & Casualty Insurance in both Duval and Nassau Counties. These complaints primarily cite instances of underpaid claims and a pervasive lack of communication from the insurer.
Jessica Parola, a first-time homeowner in the region, finds herself entangled with this same insurer following a disruptive slab leak incident that upended her life. Parola’s distress is palpable as she navigates the aftermath of the calamity. “Where am I going to cook? How am I gonna eat? You know, it’s like, the only thing that’s up is the microwave. I have nothing. I can’t wash dishes. I can’t get a drink of water,” she expressed.
After promptly notifying her insurance company of the incident, Parola enlisted the assistance of a public adjuster to facilitate her claim. However, despite presenting a comprehensive proof of loss statement and contractor quotes valuing the damages at $25,000, Parola asserts that Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company (UPICIC) disbursed only $8,000. Furthermore, she claims that the company made an attempt to prematurely close the claim subsequent to the initial payment, leaving her with unresolved issues. “I feel that it’s been underpaid and kind of neglected,” Parola lamented. “We’ve sent emails, we don’t get a response back, we’re just asking for a negotiation, you know, to, to negotiate the price of it, which is what should happen.”
The predicament faced by Parola is not isolated, as evidenced by a recent judicial rebuke against Universal Property & Casualty Insurance in Nassau County Circuit Court. The court case involved a Fernandina Beach couple embroiled in a similar dispute with the insurer. The presiding judge, exasperated by Universal’s perceived non-compliance, sanctioned the company for what he deemed “blatant discovery stonewalling.” In a scathing indictment, the judge characterized Universal’s actions as “the most egregious act of willfully defying court orders and professional obligations” witnessed during his tenure.
Peter Laframbroise, the public claims adjuster representing Parola, corroborated the systemic delays in communication encountered by policyholders. “There’s a lot of delay in the claims communication, you know, why would they not acknowledge the estimates and all the documents that we had uploaded to their system?” Laframbroise questioned, highlighting the frustrations faced by claimants.
In response to inquiries by News4JAX regarding Parola’s protracted ordeal, an attorney representing Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company cited the initial payment as non-conclusive and hinted at the possibility of additional supplemental payments. However, the company contested the valuation provided by Parola’s public adjuster, citing discrepancies in the assessment. Travis Miller, Attorney for Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company, explained, “The company does not agree with the estimate provided by the public adjuster. As one example, this policy relates to a condominium unit, and Florida law outlines the separate responsibilities of unit owners and condominium associations for different portions of the property.”
Despite Universal’s stance, Parola remains embroiled in a standoff, awaiting the necessary funds to restore her home to its pre-damage condition. Her advocate, Laframbroise, expressed hope for an amicable resolution, stating, “We really hope that somebody on their behalf reaches out to us to try to resolve this claim. So you know, she can put everything back together and go back to a normal way of living.”
