Title: Allstate Insurance v. Julian Martinez

State: florida

Issuer: Florida Supreme Court

Document:

1. The Third District affirmed the trial court's ruling that the informal
appraisal procedures were the proper resolution of this case.  See Martinez, 790
So. 2d at 1152.  However, the Third District reversed and remanded the case
regarding the trial court's order of prejudgment interest.  See id.  We do not reach a
discussion of the Third District's decision of prejudgment interest in this opinion.
Supreme Court of Florida
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No. SC01-1622
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ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY,
Petitioner, Cross-Respondnent,
vs.
JULIAN MARTINEZ,
Respondent, Cross-Petitioner.
[December 12, 2002]
PER CURIAM.
We have for review the decision in Allstate Insurance Co. v. Martinez, 790
So. 2d 1151 (Fla. 3d DCA 2001), in which the Third District affirmed the decision
of the trial court.1  The parties were in dispute over whether a homeowner's
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insurance policy appraisal clause required formal arbitration, governed by the
Florida Arbitration Code.  See id. at 1152. The Third District certified conflict  with
the decisions in Hoenstine v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Co., 736 So. 2d 761 (Fla.
5th DCA 1999), and Florida Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Co. v. Sheaffer, 687
So. 2d 1331 (Fla. 1st DCA 1997).  See id. at 1152 n. 2.  We have jurisdiction.  See
art. V, § 3(b)(4), Fla. Const.
In Allstate Insurance Co. v. Suarez, No. SC01-1459 (Fla. Dec. 12, 2002), we
recently held that an identical appraisal clause in a homeowner's insurance policy
plainly provided for appraisal proceedings, and did not represent an agreement to
submit to formal arbitration proceedings by the parties.  Accordingly, we similarly
approve the Third District's decision in this case.
It is so ordered.
ANSTEAD, C.J., and SHAW, WELLS, PARIENTE, LEWIS, and QUINCE, JJ.,
concur.
CANTERO, J., recused.
NOT FINAL UNTIL TIME EXPIRES TO FILE REHEARING MOTION, AND
IF FILED, DETERMINED.
Notice and Cross-Notice  for Review of the Decision of the District Court of
Appeal - Certified Direct Conflict of Decisions
Third District - Case No. 3D00-2464
(Dade County)
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Christopher J. Lynch of Angones, Hunter, McClure, Lynch, Williams & Garcia,
P.A., Miami, Florida,
for Petitioner, Cross-Respondent
Michael J. Higer of Mintz, Truppman, Clein & Higer, P.A., North Miami, Florida;
and Lauri Waldman Ross and Theresa L. Girten of Lauri Waldman Ross, P.A.,
Miami, Florida,
for Respondent, Cross-Petitioner