The bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes to revise the procedures for awarding attorney fees in insurance claims. It specifically updates Section 86.121 to allow for attorney fees in claims for declaratory relief regarding insurance coverage when an insurer denies coverage or reserves the right to deny coverage in the future. Additionally, new sections 626.9375 and 627.4275 are created to establish guidelines for awarding attorney fees in civil claims against surplus lines insurers and other insurers, respectively. The term "judgment" is defined to include damages, prejudgment interest, and reasonable attorney fees, and it specifies conditions under which a party is considered the prevailing party.

The bill also makes several amendments to existing statutes, including the addition of Section 631.696 and 631.9245, which clarify that the new attorney fee provisions do not apply to claims presented to certain associations unless there is an affirmative denial of a covered claim. Other amendments ensure that attorney fees are included in judgments and outline the requirements for written settlement offers made by insurers. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and applies to any claims or lawsuits arising from insurance policies issued on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
H 1269 Filed: 86.121, 624.123, 624.488, 627.062, 627.736, 628.6016