Auto Insurance
- State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., v. Kevin E. Cochran, et al., 8:25-cv-2265-KKM-NHA (M.D. Fla., Feb. 18, 2026 (Kimball Mizelle, J.)) (dismissing State Farm’s declaratory‑judgment claim for lack of subject‑matter jurisdiction because the insurer failed to prove that the amount in controversy exceeded $75,000, as its speculative indemnity exposure was unripe and its assertions about defense costs were conclusory, and also dismissing the Cochrans’ counterclaims for failure to state a claim, explaining that the pro se pleadings did not identify any specific breached policy provisions, but granting leave to amend.)
https://ecf.flmd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show_public_doc?2025-02265-57-8-cv
Commercial General Liability
- United Specialty Ins. Co., v. Advanced Wrapping and Concrete Solutions of Central Florida, Inc., 6:25-cv-1353-PGB-DCI ( M.D. Fla., Feb. 18, 2026 (Irick, J.) (denying the insurer’s motion for default judgment because the motion failed to establish subject‑matter jurisdiction—particularly the amount in controversy—and did not adequately analyze the elements required for declaratory relief or show that an actual, ripe controversy existed, and further reasoning that the insurer provided insufficient support for applying Florida law, failing to demonstrate that the policy’s coverage period or exclusions were implicated, and therefore had not shown entitlement to declaratory judgment even in the defendant’s absence.)
https://ecf.flmd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show_public_doc?2025-01353-20-6-cv
Property Insurance
- Clearwater Key Ass’n – S. Beach II, Inc., v. Lexington Ins. Co., 8:25-cv-295-VMC-AAS (M.D. Fla., Feb. 18, 2026 (Hernandez Covington, J.)) (denying Lexington’s Motion for Summary Judgment, holding that factual disputes remain regarding whether Lexington was prejudiced by Clearwater Key’s late notice and whether the claimed damages stemmed from a systemic plumbing failure or an isolated leak, and because both sides presented conflicting expert testimony on causation and the impact of delayed reporting, the Court found these issues must be resolved by a jury rather than on summary judgment.)
https://ecf.flmd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show_public_doc?2025-00295-53-8-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.