Florida Homeowners Win $61.8K Verdict vs. Citizens Insurance
Table of Contents
Case Background
In a civil trial was held in the Circuit Court of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit in Broward County, Florida. The Mateos had initially filed the lawsuit in September 2024 after the state-run insurer allegedly failed to adequately cover damages the property sustained during the policy period from October 2023 to October 2024. The dispute centered on whether the damage was caused by a covered event specifically, a direct physical loss or by excluded causes, such as wear and tear or pre-existing conditions, which the insurance company had claimed.
Cause
The Plaintiffs asserted a claim against Citizens for breach of contract. Their cause of action stated that they had fully complied with all terms and conditions of their homeowners' insurance policy and had filed a valid claim for losses their property sustained. The complaint maintained that despite the valid claim, Citizens had failed and refused to pay the amounts due, thereby breaching the written insurance contract. This failure to pay, the Mateos argued, forced them to seek legal intervention to recover the money necessary to repair their damaged roof and interior.
Injury
The Mateos suffered financial injury and subsequent loss due to the insurer's alleged breach of contract. The injury was the denial of coverage or underpayment that left them unable to fully repair the damage to their home. The initial direct physical loss had caused both roof damage and interior damage, necessitating repairs. Because the insurer had failed to provide the full promised indemnity, the homeowners suffered the loss of the benefit of their bargain, compelling them to incur attorneys' fees and costs to pursue the payment they were owed.
Damages Sought
In their complaint, Rene and Janill Mateo had demanded judgment against Citizens Property Insurance Corporation for an amount exceeding $50,000, which represented the actual damages and losses they sustained, exclusive of legal fees. They specifically sought the necessary funds to cover the complete cost of repairs for both the roof and the water-related interior damage. Furthermore, pursuant to Florida law, they demanded recovery of their attorneys' fees, costs, and interest as a result of the insurer’s breach of contract.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
The trial proceeded under the civil rules of the Broward County Circuit Court. The proceedings focused entirely on the factual determination of what had caused the damage to the property and the extent of the financial loss the homeowners had incurred.
Legal Representation
Plaintiff(s): Rene Mateo Jr. | Janill Mateo
· Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Izabella Mojica | Scott Evan Kandel | David Acosta | Jasiel Tabares
· Experts for Plaintiff(s): Andre G. Melo | David Delvecchio
Defendant(s): Citizens Property Insurance Corporation
· Counsel for Defendant(s): Cory S. Laufer
Key Arguments or Remarks by Counsel
Claims
The Mateos’ legal team built their case around the policy language and the facts surrounding the property loss. They argued that the evidence demonstrated a direct physical loss occurred during the covered period. Their presentation focused on establishing two key facts: first, that a sudden, covered event, such as a wind storm, had breached the roof or exterior, and second, that this breach subsequently caused the interior water damage. They emphasized that the Mateos had paid their premium and had upheld their end of the contract, asserting that Citizens wrongfully denied or minimized the covered loss, forcing the homeowners into a protracted legal battle to restore their home.
Defense
The insurer’s defense centered on the policy exclusions. Citizens argued that the Mateos’ roof and exterior had been damaged solely by causes that the insurance policy explicitly did not cover. Through their affirmative defenses, Citizens asserted that the damage had stemmed from wear and tear, pre-existing problems, age-related deterioration, or potentially improper installation. By highlighting these exclusions, the insurer attempted to show that it had no contractual obligation to pay for the repairs. Furthermore, Citizens had raised defenses regarding the potential failure of the Mateos to comply with all post-loss policy conditions, such as giving prompt notice, though the core of the dispute remained the cause and extent of the damage.
Jury Verdict
The trial culminated on September 18, 2025, when the jury delivered its verdict.
This determination opened the door for the damage calculation. The jury then proceeded to award specific monetary amounts for both the roof and the interior damage:
Roof Damages: The jury found that $19,696.56 would fairly and adequately compensate the Mateos for their roof damages.
Interior Damages: The jury also concluded that the interior damages resulted from water entering the property through a wind-created opening and awarded $42,174.69 for the interior repairs.
In total, the jury awarded the Mateos $61,871.25 in compensatory damages. This verdict affirmed that the insurance policy covered the homeowners’ loss and concluded the matter of factual causation in favor of the Plaintiffs. The Mateos, having successfully proven that Citizens breached its contract by failing to pay this covered amount, will likely recover additional funds for their attorney's fees and costs, further increasing the final financial judgment against the insurance corporation.
Court documents are available upon request at jurimatic@exlitem.com