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Southern Am. Fire Ins. Co. v. Spitzer

District Court of Appeal of Florida, Third District
Nov 12, 1975
322 So. 2d 615 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1975)

Opinion

No. 75-82.

November 12, 1975.

Appeal from the Circuit Court, Dade County, Edward S. Klein, J.

John L. Hartnett, Coral Gables, for appellant.

Courshon Courshon, Miami Beach, Lapidus Hollander and Robert J. Schaffer, Miami, for appellees.

Before PEARSON, HENDRY and NATHAN, JJ.


Southern American Fire Insurance Company appeals a judgment based upon a jury verdict. The judgment upon a policy of fire insurance, provided for separate recoveries to Stanley Spitzer and Washington Federal Savings and Loan Association. Stanley Spitzer was the beneficial owner and Washington Federal was the named mortgagee and loss payee. The judgment also included attorney's fees.

Southern contends that its named insured, Virginia Stilphen, did not have an insurable interest and that, therefore, it was not liable on its policy. Stilphen was the nominee of Spitzer, who provided all the money for the purchase of the apartment. Stilphen held title and had assumed the mortgage on the premises. The court correctly held the insurance policy enforceable. See Cincinnati Insurance Company v. Palmer, Fla.App. 1974, 297 So.2d 96; Spindler v. Kushner, Fla.App. 1973, 284 So.2d 481.

Southern also urges that the attorney's fees allowed Washington Federal and Spitzer were unauthorized under Fla. Stat. § 627.428. We cannot agree. See All Ways Reliable Building Maintenance, Inc. v. Moore, Fla. 1972, 261 So.2d 131; see also Hoffman v. White, Fla.App. 1973, 277 So.2d 290; and cf. Travelers Insurance Company v. Tallahassee Bank and Trust Company, Fla.App. 1961, 133 So.2d 463.

Appellant's remaining points do not present reversible error.

Affirmed.


Summaries of

Southern Am. Fire Ins. Co. v. Spitzer

District Court of Appeal of Florida, Third District
Nov 12, 1975
322 So. 2d 615 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1975)
Case details for

Southern Am. Fire Ins. Co. v. Spitzer

Case Details

Full title:SOUTHERN AMERICAN FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY, A FLORIDA CORPORATION…

Court:District Court of Appeal of Florida, Third District

Date published: Nov 12, 1975

Citations

322 So. 2d 615 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1975)

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