November 3, 2005
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. V. Margaret Roach
Case Number(s):
SC04-2313

Transcript:

Summary:

The issue is whether Florida law dictates the scope of insurance coverage for auto policies that are sold to "snowbirds' in other states but then relied on in Florida. Margaret Roach was injured in a car crash in Lake Wales in January 2001. She was a passenger in a car owned and driven by an Indiana man who spent about half of each year in Florida. She sued State Farm, seeking underinsured motorist benefits. State Farm denied benefits, citing the terms of the policy and Indiana law. Roach argued the benefits would be provided under Florida law. The trial judge ruled in favor of State Farm. But the 2nd District Court of Appeal reversed, based on the length of time the policyholder spent in Florida.