(1) Upon the rendition of a judgment or decree by any of the courts of this state against an insurer and in favor of any named or omnibus insured or the named beneficiary under a policy or contract executed by the insurer, the trial court or, in the event of an appeal in which the insured or beneficiary prevails, the appellate court shall adjudge or decree against the insurer and in favor of the insured or beneficiary a reasonable sum as fees or compensation for the insured’s or beneficiary’s attorney prosecuting the suit in which the recovery is had. In a suit arising under a residential or commercial property insurance policy, the amount of reasonable attorney fees shall be awarded only as provided in s. 57.105 or s. 627.70152, as applicable.
(2) As to suits based on claims arising under life insurance policies or annuity contracts, no such attorney fees shall be allowed if such suit was commenced prior to expiration of 60 days after proof of the claim was duly filed with the insurer.
(3) When so awarded, compensation or fees of the attorney shall be included in the judgment or decree rendered in the case.
(4) In a suit arising under a residential or commercial property insurance policy, the right to attorney fees under this section may not be transferred to, assigned to, or acquired in any other manner by anyone other than a named or omnibus insured or a named beneficiary.
History.—s. 477, ch. 59-205; s. 1, ch. 67-400; s. 3, ch. 76-168; s. 1, ch. 77-457; ss. 2, 3, ch. 81-318; ss. 376, 377, 809(2nd), ch. 82-243; s. 79, ch. 82-386; s. 114, ch. 92-318; s. 3, ch. 2019-94; s. 9, ch. 2021-77; s. 12, ch. 2022-268.
Structure Florida Statutes
Chapter 627 - Insurance Rates and Contracts
Part II - The Insurance Contract (Ss. 627.401-627.444)
627.4025 - Residential coverage and hurricane coverage defined.
627.4035 - Payment of premiums; claims.
627.404 - Insurable interest; personal insurance.
627.405 - Insurable interest; property.
627.406 - Power to contract; purchase of insurance by or for minor.
627.407 - Alteration of application.
627.408 - Application as evidence.
627.4085 - Insurer name, agent name, and license identification number required on application.
627.409 - Representations in applications; warranties.
627.4091 - Specific reasons for denial, cancellation, or nonrenewal.
627.40951 - Standard personal lines residential insurance policy.
627.410 - Filing, approval of forms.
627.4101 - Credit insurance enrollment forms.
627.4102 - Informational filing of forms.
627.4105 - Life and health insurance; reduced premiums upon rigorous physical examination.
627.411 - Grounds for disapproval.
627.412 - Standard provisions, in general.
627.413 - Contents of policies, in general; identification.
627.4131 - Telephone number required.
627.4132 - Stacking of coverages prohibited.
627.4133 - Notice of cancellation, nonrenewal, or renewal premium.
627.4135 - Casualty insurance contracts subject to general provisions for insurance contracts.
627.4136 - Nonjoinder of insurers.
627.4137 - Disclosure of certain information required.
627.4138 - Wrap-up insurance policies for nonpublic construction projects.
627.414 - Additional policy contents.
627.4143 - Outline of coverage.
627.4145 - Readable language in insurance policies.
627.4147 - Medical malpractice insurance contracts.
627.4148 - Medical malpractice insurers; required offer of coverage limits.
627.41495 - Public notice of medical malpractice rate filings.
627.415 - Charter, bylaw provisions.
627.416 - Execution of policies.
627.417 - Underwriters’ and combination policies.
627.418 - Validity of noncomplying contracts.
627.419 - Construction of policies.
627.4195 - Health insurance; claims for payment of psychotherapeutic services; confidentiality.
627.4205 - Coverage identification number required.
627.4215 - Disclosures to policyholders; coverage of behavioral health care services.
627.422 - Assignment of policies or post-loss benefits.
627.423 - Payment discharges insurer.
627.4232 - Health insurance out-of-hospital benefits.
627.4233 - Total disability defined.
627.4234 - Health insurance cost containment provisions required.
627.4235 - Coordination of benefits.
627.4236 - Coverage for bone marrow transplant procedures.
627.4237 - Sickness disability or disability due to sickness.
627.4238 - Health insurer examinations.
627.4239 - Coverage for use of drugs in treatment of cancer.
627.42392 - Prior authorization.
627.42393 - Step-therapy protocol.
627.42395 - Coverage for certain prescription and nonprescription enteral formulas.
627.42396 - Reimbursement for telehealth services.
627.42397 - Coverage for air ambulance services.
627.424 - Minor may give acquittance.
627.425 - Forms for proof of loss to be furnished.
627.426 - Claims administration.
627.4265 - Payment of settlement.
627.427 - Payment of judgment by insurer; penalty for failure.
627.429 - Medical tests for HIV infection and AIDS for insurance purposes.
627.4295 - Dental procedures; anesthesia and hospitalization coverage.
627.4301 - Genetic information for insurance purposes.
627.4302 - Identification cards for processing prescription drug claims.
627.43141 - Notice of change in policy terms.
627.441 - Commercial general liability policies; coverage to contractors for completed operations.
627.442 - Insurance contracts.