Summary Judgment for Insurer Reversed Based on Expert Opinion

Tred R. Eyerly | Insurance Law Hawaii

    After the trial court discounted the insured’s expert witness and granted summary judgment to the insurer, the Florida District Court of Appeal reversed. Morales v. Citizens Prop. Ins. Corp., 2022 Fla. App. LEXIS 1831 (Fla. Ct. App. March 15, 2022).

    The insureds’ property was allegedly damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017. They filed a claim with Citizens. Citizens sent its adjuster and eventually denied the claim because the policy did not cover damages caused by wear and tear. Further, there was no coverage for loss caused by “rain . . . unless a covered peril first damages the building causing an opening in a roof or wall and the rain . . . enters through this opening.”

    The insureds sued and Citizens moved for summary judgment. At the hearing, Citizens’ expert, a civil engineer, concluded that there were no storm-created openings in the roof. The insureds engaged a licensed contractor, Steven Delgado, who stated that he found significant damage to the roofing system and water intrusion through the roof. He observed loose shingles which were most likely damaged during Hurricane Irma, allowing for high winds and airborne debris to create small openings permitting water intrusion. 

    The trial court rejected Delgado’s testimony, finding he was not qualified to provide expert testimony as to causation. Summary judgment was issued to Citizens.

    The appellate court noted that Citizens, as the party moving for summary judgment, had the burden to demonstrate that the party moved against could not prevail. Here, the genuine issue of material fact was whether hurricane force winds created openings in the roof to allow water to enter the interior, creating damage that was covered by the policy. The insureds’ expert provided sufficient evidence to introduce a genuine issue of material fact regarding the cause of the property damage. The trial court appeared to weigh the evidence rather than determine whether a genuine issue of material fact existed. 

    Consequently, the court reversed and remanded for further proceedings.

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