Category Archives: Insurance Defense
When To Hire A Florida Flood Attorney
While Florida is known for its sunny, warm days and beautiful beaches, it is also no stranger to storms and floods. The risk of flooding is a regular concern for Tampa homeowners and businesses alike. This is because the Tampa area does not have a lot of topographical relief when heavy rains and tropical… Read More »
Rights And Responsibilities Of Insurance Companies
If you are wondering about what the responsibilities are for Florida insurance companies, know that there is an area of law specifically designed for these determinations. Property and casualty law in Florida refers to the legal principles and regulations that govern the insurance industry in the state. Property and casualty insurance covers a wide… Read More »
Learning About Insurance Defense
There are many specialty areas when it comes to practicing law. Some lawyers are trained and have experience as insurance defense attorneys. These legal professionals are skilled in understanding when an insurance company is responsible for paying a claim and protecting the rights of policyholders. Because these attorneys are knowledgeable in current laws and… Read More »
How “Choice Of Law” Affected A Judge’s Interpretation Of A Boating Insurance Policy
When interpreting an insurance policy, the choice of law will often determine how a court will enforce that policy’s terms. In this context, choice of law refers to which state’s laws govern the policy. Or in some cases, whether federal law may also apply. A recent decision from a federal judge here in Florida,… Read More »
Florida Appellate Decisions Push Bad Faith Standard & Raise Concerns
The longstanding standard of what constitutes bad faith in Florida was determined by the Florida Supreme Court almost 40 years ago. The Court determined that an insurer has a duty to use the same degree of care and diligence as someone “of ordinary care and prudence.” Insurers must investigate the facts, give fair consideration… Read More »
Study Finds That Third-Party Bad-Faith Insurance Claims Are Somewhat Out of Control in Florida
According to a new study, Florida’s third-party bad-faith legal environment increases claim costs for every insured vehicle by an average of $106 per claim, or a total of more than $7 billion in additional claim costs over more than a decade. According to some experts, most of these costs can reportedly be attributed to… Read More »
Insurers & Coblentz Agreements In Florida
While there are frequently insurance disputes over coverage, damages, or liability – sometimes claims alleging insurance bad faith or plaintiffs seeking extra-contractual liability – there is no comprehensive definition of “good faith” in Florida; therefore, the full extent of what a “showing of good faith” means remains unresolved when it comes to liability insurers… Read More »
Hurricane Irma Powers More And More Insurance Claim Denial Lawsuits Against Insurers
According to recent reports, the top 20 property insurers in Florida were served with more than 10,000 lawsuits over hurricane Irma claim denials just between January and March, reflecting a more than 61 percent increase from last year. Universal Property & Casualty Co.—Florida’s largest insurer—noted that the company has received close to 80,000 Hurricane… Read More »
Flood Claims Likely Biggest Headache For Florida Hurricane Victims
When it comes to hurricane claims, the last thing that any Floridian wants to hear is that their claim has been denied. And yet that is the case for many in our state, especially when it comes to flood claims. In fact, according to statements made by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in… Read More »
Important Eleventh Circuit Insurance Bad Faith Decision
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (which covers Florida) recently reversed an important lower Florida court’s decision which awarded an insurance bad faith plaintiff (Bottini) $30 million in a case involving uninsured/underinsured motorist breach of contract claims. The vehicle involved in the accident at the heart of the claim had been… Read More »
