Category Archives: Insurance Litigation
Can An Insurance Company Prevent An Assignment Of Benefits?
Historically, Florida common law has allowed parties to assign their contractual rights to third parties. There are some exceptions–such as agreements involving personal service obligations or that otherwise violate public policy–but generally speaking, one party cannot prohibit the other from assigning their rights under a contract. And although Florida statutes state that a contract… Read More »
Are Appraisal Provisions In Insurance Contracts Binding On Third Party Assignees?
Homeowner’s insurance policies often contain appraisal clauses. Appraisal is a form of alternative dispute resolution similar to arbitration. In its simplest form, an appraisal clause states that if the parties disagree as to the amount of an insured loss, each side will appoint an independent appraiser. If the appraisers cannot agree on a value,… Read More »
Will “Business Interruption” Insurance Cover COVID-19 Related Losses?
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a significant disruption to many Florida business owners. It has also led to litigation over the scope of “business interruption” insurance. In other words, if a business loses revenue due to pandemic-related restrictions, does that qualify as an insurable loss? The United States Court of Appeals for the 11th… Read More »
What The CDC’s New 60-Day Eviction Moratorium Means For Florida Renters
In early August, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a new 60-day moratorium on residential evictions in certain parts of the country that continue to experience a “high community transmission” rate of the COVID-19 virus. This includes most of Florida. So if you are a Florida resident currently behind on… Read More »
Insurance Litigation As A “Battle Of The Experts”
Even when an insurance company agrees to provide coverage for damage to a home, they will often challenge the extent or cost of the insurable loss. This then forces the homeowner to take legal action to protect their contractual rights. Such litigation then often ends up being a “battle of the experts,” with each… Read More »
What Is The Role Of A Public Adjuster In Filing An Insurance Claim?
If you have ever filed an insurance claim, you have no doubt dealt with an adjuster, i.e., the person employed by the insurance company to review your case. But there are also individuals known as public adjusters who are licensed by the State of Florida to represent individuals, such as yourself, in protecting your… Read More »
Does An Insurer Have To Pay Based On A Homeowner’s Account Of Wind Damage?
After a bad storm, a homeowner might notice damage to their property and assume that the weather was responsible. From the insurance company’s perspective, however, correlation does not necessarily mean causation. In other words, the evidence may show that the damage to the property was the result of normal wear and aging and not… Read More »
Do Homeowners Have The Right To Record An Insurance Company’s Appraisal?
Most Florida homeowner’s insurance policies contain an appraisal provision. This protects the insurance company’s right to have its own appraiser review a homeowner’s claim, including the ability to physically inspect the property itself. This, in turn, minimizes the risk to the insurer of paying out on a fraudulent or exaggerated claim. Florida Appellate Courts… Read More »
Florida Adopts A New Summary Judgment Standard: What You Need To Know
On May 1, 2021, Florida courts adopted the summary judgment standard applicable in the federal courts, joining many other states that had already transitioned to the federal rule. In re Amendments to Fla. Rule of Civil Procedure 1.510, No. SC20-1490. The state amended Rule of Civil Procedure 1.510 to adhere to the federal summary… Read More »
Can an Insurance Company Be Held Responsible for Events That Happened Decades Prior to the Coverage Period?
An insurance policy is a contract that must be interpreted according to its plain language. Under Florida law, a court must interpret an insurance policy “liberally in favor of the insured” and give the “broadest possible” effect to any clauses governing coverage. At the same time, an insurer is not obligated to indemnify any… Read More »
