"We Can't Rebuild": Ruskin Family Trapped by Hurricanes and Insurance Woes

Families Left in Limbo After Back-to-Back Hurricanes

Months after two powerful hurricanes hit Florida, many homeowners are still struggling to recover. For the Kvocka family from Ruskin, the damage caused by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton has left them in a state of uncertainty. Despite purchasing over $1 million in property insurance for their waterfront home, they are now living in a camper with their two teenagers.

The storm surge from Hurricane Helene flooded their home, and a fire sparked by damage to a neighbor’s house spread to their roof. Engineers later discovered that parts of the home were shifting, making it unsafe to live in. However, the family is still waiting for the insurance payout needed to rebuild.

"We thought we had good insurance. Who would have thought?" said Nicholle Kvocka.

Insurance Companies Pass the Blame

The Kvockas found themselves caught in a complicated situation involving two different insurance companies. Citizens Insurance, which is state-run, denied claims related to flooding because it does not cover flood damage. On the other hand, federal flood insurance stated that some of the damage was due to wind or fire, which it also does not cover.

Citizens paid nothing, while federal flood insurance provided $104,000—far less than what the family needs to rebuild based on contractor assessments. Contractors told them the home needs to be completely torn down and rebuilt.

"There's more damage than it's worth. It's not fixable," Nicholle said.

A Last-Minute Settlement Offer Fails

Just before an arbitration hearing with Citizens, the Kvockas were offered a last-minute settlement. The initial offer was $41,000, which was later increased to $250,000. However, they declined the offer, stating it was still far below the cost of rebuilding.

They eventually lost in arbitration, leaving them even more frustrated.

"It's mind-blowing," said Nicholle.

Multiple Storms, One Big Mess

The timing of the storms made things worse. Hurricane Milton struck just 13 days after Helene, leading to three claims, two hurricanes, and two insurers. In the end, the family received only $104,000 in total—now frozen by their mortgage company pending resolution.

When asked why they don’t just sell, Nicholle responded, "Our neighbors are selling for less than we owe. We can’t afford to rebuild."

From Dream Home to Camper Life

Before the storms, their home was valued at $1.3 million. Now, real estate models estimate it to be closer to $400,000. The family of four now lives in a $105,000 camper, with their 16-year-old sleeping in one loft and their 14-year-old in the other.

They still owe nearly $100,000 on the camper loan. Their mortgage is in forbearance, and they continue to pay for home insurance on a house they can't live in.

"They don’t pay out. And if they do, it’s nickels and dimes for something we paid top dollar for," said Neil.

A Possible Solution on the Horizon

The story of the Kvockas was taken to Florida’s Insurance Commissioner, who said his office may intervene in this case. He supports a single-adjuster system, requiring all insurance providers to send one shared adjuster for fire, flood, and wind damage.

This fix would require action from state lawmakers. While it could help prevent similar situations in the future, the current system leaves families like the Kvockas in a difficult position.

What Comes Next?

As the family continues to wait for a resolution, the broader issue of how insurance companies handle multiple disasters remains unresolved. With more storms expected in the future, the need for a clearer and more efficient claims process becomes increasingly urgent. Until then, families like the Kvockas remain in limbo, trying to navigate a system that often seems more interested in avoiding payouts than providing support.