Bill32, our homeowners coverage was underwritten by Security First Insurance. They required a sinkhole inspection prior to committing to providing that piece of coverage when we got the policy late last year. The inspection was done by a third-party organization that specializes in such things - SDII
http://www.sdii-global.com/sdii-dnn/ . The insurance company split the cost of the inspection with us so our out-of-pocket for the inspection was $75 - and this 'split' was mentioned up-front and voluntarily by our insurance agent.....no arm-twisting on our part. Seemed fair to me! Our house passed muster and we got the coverage. If there were issues found or if the company felt there was reason based on whatever to deny coverage, I guess that would be their prerogative to decline providing the sinkhole coverage.
Our insurance agent told me earlier this fall that more and more companies are moving towards requiring inspections prior to underwriting any sinkhole coverage for their policyholders.
Bill
