Civil Remedy Notice of Insurer Violations
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Filing Number:     795901
Filing Accepted:  12/9/2024
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Complainant
Last/Business Name *  
JEFFERS   First Name   JON & MARY BETH
Street Address * 235 DOVER BLUFF DR
City, State Zip * ORANGE PARK, FL 32073
Email Address * JJCANESFAN@YAHOO.COM
Complainant Type: * Insured
Insured
Last/Business Name*   JEFFERS   First Name   JON & MARY BETH
Policy # * 941523379 Claim #* 771528098
Attorney
Attorney is Applicable
Last Name* HUFFMAN First Name * SAMANTHA Initial M
Street Address* 2300 MAITLAND CENTER PARKWAY SUITE 106
City, State Zip* MAITLAND , FL 32751
Email Address * SHUFFMAN@SERRANOCAGAN.COM
Violation
Insurer Type *   Authorized Insurer Unauthorized Insurer
 
Insurer Name*   CASTLE KEY INDEMNITY COMPANY
NAIC Company Code 10835
 
Name of individual responsible for violation (if any):* JOHN OKEIYI
Type of Insurance * Residential Property & Casualty   
Reason for Notice *
Unsatisfactory Settlement Offer
* Statutory provision(s) which the insurer allegedly violated.
 
624.155(1)(b)(1) Not attempting in good faith to settle claims when, under all the circumstances, it could and should have done so, had it acted fairly and honestly toward its insured and with due regard for her or his interests.
624.155(1)(b)(3) Except as to liability coverages, failing to promptly settle claims, when the obligation to settle a claim has become reasonably clear, under one portion of the insurance policy coverage in order to influence settlements under other portions of the insurance policy coverage.
626.9541(1)(i)(3)(a) Failing to adopt and implement standards for the proper investigation of claims.
626.9541(1)(i)(3)(c) Failing to acknowledge and act promptly upon communications with respect to claims.
626.9541(1)(i)(3)(e) Failing to affirm or deny full or partial coverage of claims, and, as to partial coverage, the dollar amount or extent of coverage, or failing to provide a written statement that the claim is being investigated, upon the written request of the insured within 30 days after proof-of-loss statements have been completed.
626.9541(1)(i)(3)(f) Failing to promptly provide a reasonable explanation in writing to the insured of the basis in the insurance policy, in relation to the facts or applicable law, for denial of a claim or for the offer of a compromise settlement.
626.9541(1)(i)(3)(g) Failing to promptly notify the insured of any additional information necessary for the processing of a claim.
626.9541(1)(i)(3)(h) Failing to clearly explain the nature of the requested information and the reasons why such information is necessary.
626.9541(1)(i)(3)(i) Failing to pay personal injury protection insurance claims within the time periods required by s. 627.736(4)(b).
* Specific policy language that is relevant to the violation.
Enter all words or phrases (one at a time) that should be used to filter.

SECTION I – PROPERTY COVERAGE A. Coverage A – Dwelling (Entire Section) B. Coverage B – Other Structures (Entire Section) C. Coverage C – Personal Property (Entire Section) D. Coverage D – Loss of Use (Entire Section)
 
* Facts and circumstances giving rise to the violation.
Enter all words or phrases (one at a time) that should be used to filter.

On or about 09/26/2024, ("Insured"), sustained a covered direct physical loss to Insured's property due to a weather-related incident. Insured reported the loss thereafter to CASTLE KEY INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY ("Insurer"). Prior to the date of loss, Insurer issued a policy of insurance, believed to be policy # 000941523379 which afforded coverage for the aforementioned property for losses caused by the covered peril. The policy was in full force and effect on the date of loss. The Insured promptly notified Insurer of the loss, who then assigned the loss claim # 0771528098. Insurer was fully afforded any and all opportunity to inspect the loss and document the loss. To date, Insurer has paid $0.00 to Insured on this claim even after numerous attempts by the Insured to provide documentation of additional damages and compensation owed. Insured had no choice but to retain legal representation on or about 11/21/2024, as the Insurer refused to pay the full amount due and owed to its Insured. Insurer has continually failed to negotiate this claim with Insured’s attorney and/or failed to provide a satisfactory settlement offer to resolve the subject claim. This has severely harmed the Insured's ability to remedy their losses and continue with repairs to the property. The only purpose for Insurer's refusal to negotiate the claim is to increase profits and harm their insured. This is either done intentionally as a pattern and practice of Insurer to deny coverage and harm their insureds, or Insurer has failed to properly train and supervise its adjusters to the harm and detriment of their insureds. This pattern and practice are done for only one reason, which again, is to maximize profits and harm their insureds. Insurer has violated the following statutory provisions: 624.155(1)(b)(1): Not attempting in good faith to settle claims when, under all the circumstances, it could and should have done so, had it acted fairly and honestly toward its insured and with due regard for her or his interests; 624.155(1)(b)(3): Except as to liability coverages, failing to promptly settle claims, when the obligation to settle a claim has become reasonably clear, under one portion of the insurance policy coverage in order to influence settlements under other portions of the insurance policy coverage. 626.9541(1)(i)(3)(a): Failing to adopt and implement standards for the proper investigation of claims. 626.9541(1)(i)(3)(c): Failing to acknowledge and act promptly upon communications with respect to claims; 626.9541(1)(i)(3)(e): Failing to affirm or deny full or partial coverage of claims, and, as to partial coverage, the dollar amount or extent of coverage, or failing to provide a written statement that the claim is being investigated, upon the written request of the insured within 30 days after proof-of-loss statements have been completed; 626.9541(1)(i)(3)(f): Failing to promptly provide a reasonable explanation in writing to the insured of the basis in the insurance policy, in relation to the facts or applicable law, for denial of a claim or for the offer of a compromise settlement. 626.9541(1)(i)(3)(g): Failing to promptly notify the insured of any additional information necessary for the processing of a claim. 626.9541(1)(i)(3)(h): Failing to clearly explain the nature of the requested information and the reasons why such information is necessary. 626.9541(1)(i)(3)(i): Unfair claim settlement practices, and any other applicable statutes to the factual allegations included herein. To remedy and/or cure this CRN, Insurer must immediately tender payment in the amount of $1,806.96, less any applicable deductible and prior payment to the Insured, to complete the repairs for the Insured property. The payment shall be tendered to the Insured’s attorneys, Serrano Cagan & Cagan at 2300 Maitland Center Parkway, Suite 106, Maitland, Florida 32751.
Comments
User Id Date Added Comment
SHUFFMAN@SERRANOCAGAN.COM 04-04-2025 THE COMPLAINTANT HEREBY WITHDRAWS THIS CRN.
Carla.Allen@allstate.com 02-10-2025 This letter is in response to the above referenced Civil Remedy Notice filed against Castle Key Insurance Company (“Castle Key”), by attorney Serrano Cagan & Cagan on behalf of Jon and Mary Beth Jeffers. This response is provided on behalf of Castle Key and all its employees, agents, officers and affiliates. The Department accepted the CRN 795901 on December 9, 2024. Castle Key does not consider there to have been any manner of violation, and questions the validity of the Notice as it fails to meet the requirements set forth in Section §624.155, Florida Statutes and Florida law and thus fails to perfect the insured’s right to pursue civil remedies. The potential statutory violations and information submitted are nothing more than unsupported, baseless allegations. The CRN addresses a carrier other than the issuer of the policy. Complainant filed CRN #795901 alleging that Castle Key Insurance Company violated sections of§624.155 and §626.9541. The notice also addressed a cure to be made of $1,806.96, yet Provided an estimate totaling $47,741.44. This answer is provided on behalf of Castle Key Indemnity Company. As indicated below, the subject property was dutifully inspected and coverage for the claim was denied based on the clear meaning of the subject policy. Castle Key has at all times during the handling of this claim acted fairly and honestly toward its insured. Castle Key fully and fairly considered information in regard to the matters at hand and fully observed its contractual, statutory and administrative obligations. Castle Key has carefully reviewed, considered, and evaluated the alleged violations charged and believes they are completely without merit. Castle Key wholly denies any and all allegations of wrongdoing, and unsatisfactory settlement offer. in connection with the above claim. The claim was reported on October 5, 2024, for wind or hail damage allegedly sustained on September 26, 2024, to the roof of the subject property. Castle Key Indemnity Company investigated the claim, including two inspections of the roof, to determine if the damages were related to a covered loss. The inspections determined that there was minimal covered wind or hail damage to the roof, and damages were below the insured’s hurricane deductible of $9,139.00. A subsequent reinspection was completed on January 18, 2025, which found scattered wind damage to the roof Due to the age and condition of the 22 year old roof, we determined a full roof replacement is warranted. The roof was found to have granule loss and blistering from general age-related deterioration unrelated to wind or hail. No other damages found. Castle Key issued an undisputed payment and currently in discussions For an amiable settlement. An offer of $20,000 in exchange for An executed release was extended and pending attorney’s response. Castle Key denies any and all allegations of bad faith in connection with the claim submitted by the insured. The claim was investigated, and a good faith determination was made with regard to the claim. Nothing herein constitutes, nor should it be construed as, a waiver of any of Castle Key’s rights under its policy of insurance, nor is it the purpose of this letter to waive any of the policy’s terms and conditions. Further, no action or inaction by the carrier should be construed as a waiver of any of its legal defenses. If there are questions concerning this response, please contact me at 727-571-8227, or at claims@claims.allstate.com.
Acknowledgement
* The submitter hereby states that this notice is given in order to perfect the rights of the person(s) damaged to pursue civil remedies authorized by Section 624.155, Florida Statutes.

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DFS-10-363
Rev. 10/14/2008