Flood Insurance:
Barlow and Barlow v. American Bankers Ins. Co. of Florida, 2:26-cv-2189-SPC-NPM (M.D. Fla., Oct. 5, 2026 (Polster Chappell, J.) (granting American Banker’s motion to dismiss holding that plaintiffs’ claim was barred by the one-year limitations period in 42 U.S.C. § 4072, having been filed on July 14, 2026, nearly 34 months after the October 26, 2023 denial letter). https://ecf.flmd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show_public_doc?2026-02189-22-2-cv
Attorney’s Fees:
Mulas and Mulas v. Westchester Surplus Lines Ins. Co., 2:24-cv-534-SPC-KRH (M.D. Fla., Oct. 7, 2026 (Polster Chappell, J.) (granting Westchester’s motion for entitlement to attorney’s fees, holding that its proposal for settlement complied with Florida Statute § 768.79, was rejected by the plaintiffs, and therefore entitled Westchester to recover fees incurred after service of the offer. While the Court acknowledged the potentially significant statutory question regarding Westchester’s failure to contemporaneously file the settlement offer, it declined to decide that issue because the plaintiffs forfeited the argument by not raising it). https://ecf.flmd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show_public_doc?2024-00534-86-2-cv
Bad Faith:
Worldwide Door Components, Inc. et al v. Zurich American Ins. Co., 2:26-cv-02135-KCD-NPM (M.D. Fla., Oct. 8, 2026 (Dudek, J.) (denying Zurich’s motion to dismiss, holding that plaintiffs’ statutory bad-faith claims under Fla. Stat. § 624.155(1)(a) and § 626.9541 are not subject to the adverse-adjudication requirement in Fla. Stat. § 624.1551 because that statute applies only to claims brought under § 624.155(1)(b); further, the complaint plausibly alleged bad faith and damages because the factual allegations and incorporated Civil Remedy Notices provided sufficient notice of the alleged misconduct). https://ecf.flmd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show_public_doc?2026-02135-33-2-cv
The Fine Print:
The cases discussed are not a comprehensive list of all Florida decisions from this week. SLC may omit some, including PCAs and procedural rulings unrelated to coverage. SLC also excludes any cases in which I am or have been personally involved. These summaries are provided solely for informational purposes and do not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Any opinions expressed are my own and are not intended as legal guidance for any specific situation.