Insureds Had Standing to Bring Claim Under Force-Placed Flood Policy, 5th Cir. Affirms

NEW ORLEANS — An insurer breached a force-placed flood insurance policy by denying a Hurricane Isaac property damage claim because the insureds had standing to bring a claim under the policy and timely submitted a proof of loss statement, a federal appellate court has affirmed.

On Aug. 1, the 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s denial of the insurer’s motion for judgment as a matter of law following a jury award of $115,279 to the plaintiffs.

Alfred and Rubbie Cotton owned seven rental properties in LaPlace, La., each of which were damaged when Hurricane Isaac made …