First Chinese Drywall Coverage Ruling in Florida Favors Insureds, HarrisMartin Reports

TAMPA, Fla. - In what is believed to be the first Chinese drywall insurance coverage decision issued in Florida, a state court judge has ruled that drywall-related damage to a Tampa-area home is covered under an all-risk insurance policy issued to the homeowners, HarrisMartin Publishing is reporting. Walker v. Teachers Insurance Co., No. 09-17303 (Fla. Cir. Ct., Hillsborough Cty.).

On March 2, Judge Robert Foster of the Hillsborough County Circuit Court awarded partial summary judgment to Melissa and William Walker after determining that drywall damage to the Walkers' home constitutes a direct physical loss to which none of the exclusions …