“Catastrophic Ground Cover Collapse” means: Geological activity that results in all of the following:
- The abrupt collapse of the ground cover;
- A depression in the ground cover clearly visible to the naked eye;
- Structural damage, other than settling or cracking, of a building or structure including the foundation.
“Sinkhole Loss” means “structural damage” to the building, including the foundation, caused by “sinkhole activity”.
“Sinkhole Activity” means:
- Settlement or systematic weakening of the earth supporting your property and;
- The settlement or systematic weakening must result from movement or raveling of soils, sediments, or rock materials into subterranean voids created by the effect of water on limestone or similar rock formations.
“Structural Damage” for purposes of “sinkhole loss” coverage means:
- Damage to a covered building, including the foundation, that prevents the primary structural members and/or primary structural systems from supporting the loads and forces they were designed to support; and
- At least one of the following: (a.) For buildings utilizing a concrete slab foundation, that horizontal surface mapping of the floor proves there is a vertical variance permitted by the current Florida Building Code of one-half of an inch within a 10 foot horizontal distance; or (b.) For buildings utilizing wood floor members, that horizontal surface mapping of the floor proves there is a vertical variance within the floor resulting from sinkhole related displacement that is greater than the maximum allowable deflection permitted by the current Florida Building Code.
- “Structural damage” for purposes of “sinkhole loss” coverage exists only if both (a.) and (b.) above are satisfied.
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Horizontal surface mapping of the floor must be conducted by a professional engineer selected or approved by the insurance company.
