Under Florida law, the court granted the insurer's motion in limine to exclude evidence of bad faith until a breach of the policy was established, but denied the motion insofar as it sought to exclude evidence of bad faith claims handling. Monterey at Malibu Bay Condo. Ass'n v. Empire Indem. Ins. Co.
Hurricane
Summary Judgment for Insurer Reversed Based on Expert Opinion
By Tred R. Eyerly on
After the trial court discounted the insured's expert witness and granted summary judgment to the insurer, the Florida District Court of Appeal reversed. Morales v. Citizens Prop. Ins. Corp., 2022 Fla. App. LEXIS 1831 (Fla. Ct. App. March 15, 2022).
The insureds' property was allegedly damaged by Hurricane Irma in…
Insurer Not Responsible for Insured’s Assignment of Policy Benefits
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The Florida Court of Appeals affirmed the lower court's granting summary judgment to the insurer after failing to abide by an assignment to which it was not a party. Expert Inspections, LLC v. United Property & Cas. Ins. Co., 2022 Fla. App. LEXIS 88 (Fla. Ct. App. Jan. 5, 2022).
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Motion to Strike Insurer’s New Argument Granted
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The court granted a motion to strike the insurer's new argument that the insured had made misrepresentations in its application for the policy. Great Lakes Ins. v. Gray Group Inves., LLC, 2021 U,S. Dist. LEXIS 243929 (E.D. La Dec. 22, 2021).
Gray Group sought coverage for its yacht, HELLO DOLLY…
Prejudice to Insurer After Late Notice of Hurricane Damage Raises Issue of Fact
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The court denied the insurer's motion for summary judgment on admittedly late notice because prejudice to the insured remained an issue of fact. Guzman v. Scottsdale Ins. Co., 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 219625 (S.D. Fla. Nov. 15, 2021).
The insured first noticed water leaking into his kitchen from the roof during Hurricane…
Late Notice Kills Insured’s Claim for Damage Due to Hurricane
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The insurer's motion for summary judgment was granted based upon the insured's late notice nearly two years after a hurricane caused property damage. Ramirez v. Scottsdale Ins. Co., 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 209716 (S.D. Fla. Oct. 29, 2021).
Plaintiff alleged he suffered property loss due to wind and water damage…
Law Firm’s Business Income, Civil Authority Claim Due to Hurricanes Survives Insurer’s Motion for Summary Judgment
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The insurer was unsuccessful in moving for summary judgment on the insured's claim for loss of business income and civil authority coverage due to losses caused by two hurricanes. Townsley v. Ohio Security Ins. Co., 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 202698 (W.D. La. Oct. 20, 2021).
Hurricane Laura struck southeast Louisiana…
Forum Selection Provision Not Binding in Louisiana
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The insurer's motion to dismiss based upon the policy's forum selection provision was denied. Oak Haven Mgmt., LLC v. Starr Surplus Lines Ins. Co., 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 171611 (W.D. La. Sept. 9, 2021).
The insured retirement home suffered property damage from Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Delta. After disagreements with…
Insureds Survive Motion to Dismiss Civil Authority Claim
By Tred R. Eyerly on
After suffering business losses due to a hurricane, the insured's Civil Authority claim survived the insurer's motion to dismiss. Pathology Lab. v. Mt. Hawley Ins. Co., 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 145129 (W.D. La. Aug. 3, 2021).
Hurricane Laura devastated Lake Charles, Louisiana causing severe damage to the insured property as…
Anti-Concurrent Causation Clause Eliminates Loss from Hurricane
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The court found the insured was not covered for losses caused by Hurricane Laura due to the implementation of the policy's anti-concurrent causation clause. Aegis Sec. Ins. Co. v. Lejeune, 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 106804 (W. D. La. June 7, 2021).
At the time of the hurricane, the insureds' home was…