A victory for Florida insureds and policyholders and particularly condominium associations was announced on February 17, 2009 in a Miami-Dade County courtroom. QBE Insurance, one of the largest condo insurers in Florida, was handed a jury verdict in favor of the condominium association to the tune of $20.4 million, which does not include attorney fees, interest and other costs which can easily add millions more to the judgment.
The case started when Hurricane Wilma blew through Miami-Dade County during the 2005 hurricane season and damaged Buckley Towers in North Miami Beach. The condominium association filed its insurance claim and received a denial letter from QBE Insurance. Among other things, the denial letter stated that the property losses existed before Hurricane Wilma, and that poor property maintenance and normal wear and tear were the causes of the damage. Even fraud was later used as an excuse for denying the claim. Because of the hurricane damages sustained, Buckley Towers was in the process of being condemned by the county's building department due to dangerous living conditions.
You can reach Miami Hurricane Insurance Claims Attorney J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo by dialing his direct number at (786) 272-5841, calling the main office at (305) 461-1095, or Toll Free at 1 (866) 71-CLAIM or email J.P. directly at [email protected].
