Tuesday, June 5, 2001
Ruben Flores v. Allstate Insurance Co.

Case No.00-2281

Hillsborough County

Flores filed claims with Allstate arising from a traffic accident in which he was injured, but nearly $200 worth of his claims under the personal injury category of the policy proved to be fraudulent. Allstate discovered this and sought to admit evidence of the fraud in the resulting lawsuit, which included claims under the separate policy category for uninsured motorist coverage. The trial judge permitted it and the jury found in favor of Allstate on all claims. Flores appealed and the Second District Court affirmed, but certified a question whether fraud in one category of insurance can be used to deny coverage in a separate category of insurance.