Tag Archives: Insurance Coverage

Insurance Bills to Watch for the 2020 Legislative Session in Florida

Several key insurance-related bills were introduced in this year’s Legislative Session, including reform for auto glass (windshield), assignment of benefits (AOB) abuse, reforms to the state’s legal system, and changes to the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund.

Here are a few more bills to keep an eye on:

  • CS/SB 292: Insurance Claims Data
  • SB 898/HB 529: Insurance Guaranty Associations
  • HB 329/SB 540: Insurance Guaranty Associations
  • HB 359: Insurance (General)
  • SB 378: Motor Vehicle Insurance (Personal Injury Protection)
  • HB 771: Motor Vehicle Insurance (Personal Injury Protection)
  • HB 895: Insurance
  • SB 904: Sinkhole and Catastrophic Ground Cover Collapse Insurance
  • HB 963/SB 1670: Consumer Data Privacy
  • HB 1137/SB 1492: Consumer Protection
  • SB 1204: Citizens Property Insurance Corporation
  • Senate Joint Resolution 1460: Commissioner of Insurance
  • SB 1494: Insurance Coverage for Condominium Unit Owners
  • HB359/SB 1334: Financial Services

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Filed under Legislation

Couple Denied Coverage After Water Heater Leak Under Policy’s Earth Movement Exclusion

Barbara and Charles Hatch had a water heater leak about 4,000 gallons of water flooding their home. Their insurance company, GeoVera Specialty Insurance Co., inspected the claim and issued payment to mitigate the damage. However, after then work had begun the Hatch’s discovered damage to the foundation and structure of the home.

Upon further inspection, GeoVera denied coverage based on the Hatch’s policy that excludes under the earth movement, which caused the foundation and structural damage. The district court ruled the structural damage to the Hatches’ home was excluded as the company claimed and GeoVera was entitled to summary judgment on that portion of the Hatches’ claim. In its decision, the district court explained that, under the policy, any damage caused by the accidental discharge of water from the water heater, including the structural damage to the Hatches’ home, was covered “unless otherwise excluded.”

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Filed under Property (Homeowners)