Articles Posted in Home Owners Policies

The U.S. District Court, Eastern District, Sherman Division, issued an opinion in May 2018, styled, James Cunningham and Tabatha Cunningham v. Allstate Vehicle and Property Insurance Company.

The Cunningham’s allegedly suffered damages during a hail and windstorm.  The claim was reported to Allstate and five days later Allstate inspected the property.  The Cunningham’s requested a re-inspection which was denied.  Without providing a proof of loss in accordance with policy provisions, the Cunningham’s filed suit against Allstate.

Allstate responded by filing a motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction due to the Cunningham’s failure to satisfy the policy proof of loss requirement.

The United States District Court, S.D. Texas, McAllen Division, denied a defense motion for summary judgment in a case where the defendant settled a claim with a homeowner who had two claims, asserting that the release covered both claims.  The case is styled, Aidee Bazan v. State Farm Lloyds.

Bazan had insurance with State Farm insuring his residential property.  Two storms are alleged to have damaged Bazan’s property – the first in March 2016, and the second in May 2016 – forming the basis of two different lawsuits against State Farm.

A dispute arose about the damages sustained by Bazan and a lawsuit was filed as to the March 2016 damage.  Bazan later filed a lawsuit on the second storm damage.   This second claim was assigned claim number 912. The pleadings on the two lawsuits are essentially the same.

The United States District Court, Northern District Texas, Abilene Division, issued an opinion March 13, 2018, that is worth reading to note deficiencies in a case against State Farm.  It is styled, Bob Click v. State Farm Lloyds and Rob Allen.

Pleadings in Federal Court are strict.  This case was filed in State Court against State Farm and their adjuster.  State Farm removed the case to Federal Court and Click filed a motion to remand back to the State Court.  The Motion to Remand was denied.

Click’s home suffered water damage.  Click’s homeowners policy with State Farm covered this type of loss.  Click objected to State Farm’s estimates of damages that were quotes of $9,015 and $11,824.  State Farm did another inspection and quoted $18,288.

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Judge Boyle, issued an opinion on March 9, 2018, wherein the court denied the insurance company request for summary judgment.  The case is styled, Padilla v. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Company.

This dispute arises from a claim for insurance benefits under a homeowners’ policy.  The claim was with Allstate for wind and hail damage to Padilla’s property.  Allstate’s adjuster inspected the home, a shed roof, several windows, the back fence, the back deck, an AC unit cover, the pergola, and the carport.  The adjuster assessed damages at $19,132.24.  After subtracting the $9,789.70 deductible, recoverable depreciation of $801.61, and non-recoverable depreciation of $3,786.16, Allstate issued a check for $4,754.77.

Padilla filed sued for breach of contract and violations of the Texas Insurance Code.  Allstate caused the case to be removed to Federal Court and filed it’s motion for summary judgment.

Too many homeowner claims resulting from a fire get denied by the insurance company because the insurance company believes they can prove the fire was the result of arson.  The Insurance Journal ran a story in March 2018, that illustrates that sometimes the insurance company is right.  The story is titled “Two Plead Guilty To Insurance Fraud By Arson In West Virginia.”

The story tells us that two men pled guilty in federal court for their respective roles in a scheme to commit insurance fraud by arson.

Dudley Bledsoe, age 63, of Hanover in Wyoming County, West Virginia, and Ricky Dwayne Gleason, age 54, of Peach Creek in Logan County, West Virginia, both pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawful monetary transactions before Senior District Court Judge David A. Faber in Bluefield, West Virginia.

CNBC published an article in February 2018, titled, “Florida Shootings May Complicate Insurance For Gun Owners.”

To start with, gun owners need to know that most homeowner policies are not going to cover situations where a person has to use a gun.  The policies will cover accidents but not other types of occurrences.

The insurance company Chubb has decided to stop underwriting an insurance policy for gun owners called NRA Carry Guard.  This policy covers gun owners in the event they face legal repercussions following firearm incidents.

Insurance lawyers practicing law in urban areas will usually be around a lot of condominiums.  Most people do not realize there is insurance that is specifically for condominiums.

Two Insurance Services Office (ISO) commercial property forms have been designated for condominium property exposures:

1. Condominium Association Coverage Form; and

Almost all insurance policies require a “sworn proof of loss” be filed when making a claim.  The Dallas Division, Northern District of Texas, issued an opinion in October 2017, dealing with a situation where the sworn proof of loss was waived by the Court.  The opinion is styled, Alexander Vilaythong v. Allstate Insurance Company.

Vilaythong (Plaintiff) had a homeowners policy with Allstate.  Plaintiff suffered a hail storm damage and submitted a claim to Allstate, who estimated damage at $17,053.76.  Plaintiff hired an adjuster who estimated the damage at $40,905.22.

A lawsuit ensued and Allstate moved to have the case dismissed under Rule 12(b)(1) for lack of standing because Plaintiff did not satisfy a condition precedent for filing the lawsuit, because he had not filed a signed and sworn proof of loss at least ninety one days before suing Allstate.

Insurance lawyers know that one of the more common claims arise from homeowners claims.  Trying to keep the case in State or County Court is most favorable for the homeowner.  However, doing that is more and more difficult.  This is illustrated in the 2017, Northern District, Fort Worth Division opinion, William Mauldin v. Allstate Insurance, et al.

After damages were suffered to the residence of William, he made a claim against his homeowner’s policy with Allstate.  A lawsuit was eventually filed against Allstate and the adjuster Mayella Gonzalez for violations of the Texas Insurance Code and the Texas DTPA.

Allstate and Gonzalez removed the case to Federal Court under 28 U.S.C. Section 1441(a), alleging that the adjuster Gonzalez was improperly joined in an effort to defeat diversity.  When improper joinder is alleged, the Court does a Rule 12(b)(6) type of analysis to determine whether there is a chance of recovery against Gonzalez.