Suit Targets The Hartford's Handling of Hurricane Wilma Claims in Florida

July 29, 2009

A Miami lawyer has filed class action suit against The Hartford alleging the company failed to pay replacement cost on Hurricane Wilma claims to insureds who had purchased the coverage.

The suit claims The Hartford refused to pay replacement cost coverage unless and until the insured actually replaced the property, which lawyer
Steven Simon says is a violation of Florida law.

Simon says the state requires insurers to pay replacement cost to policyholders irrespective of whether the policyholder actually replaced the property.

The lawsuit alleges that The Hartford saved millions of dollars in claim payments by failing to comply with this statute.

"We felt this was wrong and filed the class action to protect Hartford's insureds who may not have knowledge that they are entitled to payment based on replacement cost coverage without having to first replace the damaged or destroyed property," Simon said.

A spokesman from The Hartford was not immediately available for comment.