When you are involved in an insurance dispute with your insurance company following a claim, the insurance company may request that you submit to an examination under oath (EUO). In theory, the EUO allows the insurance company to obtain a sworn statement under oath in furtherance of evaluating coverage as well as the nature and amount of any loss. Florida courts have held that participation in an EUO indicated under a policy is a “condition precedent” to payment of a claim. However, the Fourth District Court of Appeals, in Solano vs. State Farm, held that partial compliance with this condition precedent might be sufficient.
The policyholders, Dr. and Mrs. Solano, suffered damage to their home during a hurricane. Like other homeowner’s policies, the Solano’s policy imposed certain conditions prior to a claim being paid, which included appearing at an examination under oath (EUO), submitting a sworn proof of loss and allowing an inspection of the property. The Solanos hired a public adjuster who submitted a claim for over $200,000 in losses. The public adjuster and a representative of State Farm conducted an inspection of the property. The public adjuster also submitted several additional sworn proofs of loss that increased the amount of the indicated loss. State Farm requested that the Solanos submit to a EUO and also asked that the public adjuster submit to an EUO if his knowledge and opinions would be relied on by the Solanos.
Dr. Solano participated in the EUO and submitted a fourth sworn proof of loss. He deferred almost entirely to the adjuster regarding the extent, type and cost of loss while deferring to his wife on certain other questions. With respect to his personal observations after the hurricane, he disclosed the damage he personally observed following the hurricane as well as the progress with regard to repairs. Dr. Solano declined to allow his wife to participate in an EUO after his was completed because he felt the second EUO on the same day would expose Mrs. Solano to excessive stress. While the adjuster also refused to participate in an EUO, he indicated he might be willing to do so in the future. The adjuster contended that State Farm could not compel his participation, as he is not an insured under the policy.
State Farm claimed it was deprived of the opportunity to conduct a meaningful EUO. State Farm also claimed that the Solanos’ sworn proof of losses were deficient. The Solanos produced a fifth sworn proof of loss along with supporting documentation. The insurance company conceded that the final proof of loss with supporting documentation was acceptable. The parties arranged a scheduled EUO for Mrs. Solano, but State Farm canceled the EUO because the Solanos filed a lawsuit to compel an appraisal.
State Farm argued that the Solanos failed to provide a “full, complete and meaningful EUO” and failed to provide all of the requested documents. The insurer contended that it was entitled to summary judgment because the policyholders had failed to satisfy a “condition precedent” to having the claim paid. The trial court agreed and granted summary judgment in favor of State Farm.
On appeal, the court agreed that participation in an EUO as indicated in an insurance policy is a condition precedent to recovery. However, the court distinguished this case from earlier cases in which the insured did not provide any documents and completely failed to submit to the EUO process. The court noted that Dr. Solano had appeared at the EUO and answered some questions; Mrs. Solano had agreed to appear; the public adjuster provided a written affidavit in lieu of appearing; and the Solanos submitted a significant amount of documentation. While the adjuster did not appear, Dr. Solano had arranged for the public adjuster to participate in the EUO. Further, the court pointed out that there was no evidence that Dr. Solano had the ability to compel the adjuster’s participation after the adjuster declined to submit a sworn statement. Because the Solanos satisfied the condition precedent of submitting to an EUO to some degree, the court ruled that the issue of whether the compliance was adequate to satisfy the condition was a question of fact for the jury.
When it comes to participating in an EUO, compliance can have a substantial impact on an insured’s right to recovery. If you have received a request from your insurance company to attend an EUO, seek legal advice from an experienced insurance claims lawyer.
You can reach Miami Insurance Claims Lawyer 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 Attorney Gonzalez-Sirgo directly at [email protected].
