Great Lakes Insurance SE Bad Faith Claims in Florida

Florida homeowners who have filed property damage claims with Great Lakes Insurance SE and received a denial, low-ball settlement offer, or prolonged delay have legal options. Florida law imposes strict obligations on insurers, and when Great Lakes Insurance SE fails to meet those obligations, policyholders may pursue a bad faith claim in addition to recovering the full value of their underlying loss.

What Is Insurance Bad Faith Under Florida Law?

Florida Statute §624.155 establishes the legal framework for first-party insurance bad faith claims. Under this statute, an insurer acts in bad faith when it fails to attempt to settle a claim in good faith when it could and should have done so. This applies directly to Great Lakes Insurance SE when the company handles homeowner property claims in an unreasonable manner.

Bad faith conduct commonly includes:

• Denying a valid claim without a reasonable basis
• Conducting an inadequate or biased investigation
• Misrepresenting policy language to justify a denial
• Unreasonably delaying payment after liability becomes clear
• Offering a settlement far below the documented value of the loss
• Failing to acknowledge or respond to claim communications promptly

Before filing a bad faith lawsuit under §624.155, Florida law requires policyholders to file a Civil Remedy Notice (CRN) with the Florida Department of Financial Services. This notice gives the insurer 60 days to cure the alleged violation. If Great Lakes Insurance SE fails to remedy the bad faith conduct within that window, the policyholder may proceed with litigation.

How Great Lakes Insurance SE Handles Florida Property Claims

Great Lakes Insurance SE is a European specialty insurer that writes homeowner and wind-only policies in Florida, often through surplus lines channels. Because surplus lines policies operate outside Florida's standard admitted insurance market, policyholders sometimes face additional hurdles when disputes arise. However, surplus lines insurers are still bound by Florida's bad faith statutes and must handle claims fairly and in accordance with the Florida Insurance Code.

Common patterns in disputed Great Lakes Insurance SE claims include denials citing policy exclusions that do not actually apply, engineer reports that minimize storm or water damage, and settlement offers that fail to account for the full cost of repairs. These tactics, when part of a pattern of unreasonable claims handling, form the basis of a bad faith action.

Your Rights as a Florida Homeowner

Florida law grants homeowners substantial protections when dealing with a difficult insurer. Key rights include:

• Right to a written explanation of any denial — Great Lakes Insurance SE must provide specific reasons for any coverage denial, referencing the applicable policy language.
• Right to invoke appraisal — Most homeowner policies contain an appraisal clause allowing disputes over the amount of loss to be resolved through a neutral appraisal process, bypassing litigation for valuation disputes.
• Right to request the complete claim file — Florida law entitles policyholders to obtain the insurer's full claims file, including internal notes, adjuster reports, and communications.
• Right to retain a public adjuster — A licensed public adjuster can independently document and value your loss, providing a credible counter to the insurer's assessment.
• Right to sue for attorney's fees — Under Florida Statute §627.428, if you prevail against your insurer in a coverage dispute, the insurer must pay your reasonable attorney's fees. This provision levels the playing field significantly.

Florida's Prompt Payment Law (§627.70131) also requires insurers to acknowledge claims within 14 days, begin investigation within 10 days of receiving proof of loss, and pay or deny claims within 90 days. Violations of these deadlines can support a bad faith claim and may entitle you to additional damages.

Steps to Take After a Denied or Underpaid Claim

If Great Lakes Insurance SE has denied your claim or offered an inadequate settlement, acting systematically protects your rights and strengthens any future legal action.

First, preserve all documentation. Photograph and video the damage thoroughly. Keep every piece of written communication from the insurer, including letters, emails, and Explanation of Benefits documents. Maintain a log of all phone calls, noting the date, time, and name of the representative.

Second, obtain an independent damage assessment. Hire a licensed contractor or public adjuster to inspect the property and prepare a written estimate. This creates an independent record of the true scope and cost of the loss.

Third, review your policy carefully. Understand what is covered, what is excluded, and what duties you have after a loss. Missteps in complying with post-loss obligations, such as failing to mitigate further damage or missing a proof of loss deadline, can complicate your claim.

Fourth, consider invoking the appraisal process if the dispute is about the amount of loss rather than coverage. An umpire-selected appraisal panel can issue a binding award without the delay and cost of litigation.

Fifth, consult with a Florida property insurance attorney before accepting any settlement offer or signing a release. Signing a release typically extinguishes all future claims, including a potential bad faith action that could yield significantly greater compensation.

Damages Available in a Florida Bad Faith Lawsuit

A successful bad faith claim against Great Lakes Insurance SE can result in damages that exceed the original policy benefits. Florida courts have awarded:

• The full amount of the underlying property damage claim
• Consequential damages caused by the insurer's delay or denial, such as additional living expenses or loss of rental income
• Attorney's fees and litigation costs
• In cases of particularly egregious conduct, punitive damages

The 60-day CRN cure period is a critical step. Filing the Civil Remedy Notice correctly and on time is essential — errors in the notice can jeopardize the entire bad faith claim. An experienced property insurance attorney can ensure the notice is properly drafted and filed with the Department of Financial Services.

Florida's legal landscape is among the most policyholder-friendly in the country, but navigating a bad faith claim against a surplus lines carrier like Great Lakes Insurance SE requires knowledge of both standard insurance law and the nuances of the surplus lines market. Do not wait to seek legal guidance — Florida's statute of limitations for bad faith claims is five years, but delay allows evidence to deteriorate and insurers to build their defense.

Need Help? If you have questions about your case, call or text 833-657-4812 for a free consultation with an experienced attorney.

Related Articles

• Fight a Kin Insurance Denial in Florida
• Progressive Claim Denied in Florida? Know Your Rights
• Fight Allstate Insurance Denial in Florida