April 8, 2025
ShareKelley Kronenberg Secures Client’s First-Ever Arbitration Defense Victory
Kelley Kronenberg Partner and Business Unit Leader Katie Koener and Partner Michael Albani secured a complete defense verdict in binding arbitration for American Integrity Insurance Company, successfully defending against a Hurricane Ian claim with potential exposure exceeding $400,000.00.
The case involved a property where the homeowner claimed wind damage caused a door to blow open during Hurricane Ian, allowing rainwater to enter and requiring a full gut of the home and complete roof replacement. The insurer maintained that the extensive interior water damage resulted from storm surge/flood, which is excluded under the policy, and that roof damage was limited to approximately five linear feet of ridge cap shingles.
Despite facing challenges including a last-minute expert affidavit from the plaintiff’s engineer who had physically inspected the property (while the defense engineer had only conducted a desk review), Katie effectively dismantled the opposing expert’s testimony. She strategically used the plaintiff’s own contractors’ testimony against their case, while Michael prepared a sophisticated interactive presentation that visually demonstrated their defense.
The arbitrator ultimately agreed with American Integrity’s position, finding it “not plausible that rainwater entering a door or doors would cause the extensive water damage throughout the whole home.” He specifically noted the evidence of a water line on a toilet base and debris against the fence as indicative of storm surge rather than wind-driven rain.
This landmark victory represents American Integrity’s first case to proceed through their mandatory binding arbitration process, establishing an important precedent for future claims. The firm extends its appreciation to Mike Sperounes at American Integrity for his confidence in our legal team’s capabilities to achieve this significant result.
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