Florida 4th DCA: Appeal Decision in Insurance Guaranty Case

The Fourth District Court of Appeal in Florida heard an appeal in the case of *Florida Insurance Guaranty Association, Inc. v. Restore All, LLC a/a/o Antonio Gonzalez* on September 30, 2026. This appeal, designated as No. 4D2025-1518, originated from a decision rendered by the County Court for the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit in Broward, indicating a review of a lower court's judgment. The Florida Insurance Guaranty Association, Inc. (FIGA) is identified as the Appellant, while Restore All, LLC, acting as assignee for Antonio Gonzalez, is the Appellee.

This appeal carries significant legal implications, particularly for the insurance industry and policyholders in Florida. The involvement of the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association (FIGA) means the case likely pertains to claims against an insolvent insurer, as FIGA's statutory purpose is to protect policyholders in such circumstances. Any appellate ruling concerning FIGA's obligations or the scope of its coverage could impact how claims are handled following an insurer's insolvency, potentially affecting both policyholders' recovery and FIGA's financial responsibilities. Furthermore, the designation "a/a/o Antonio Gonzalez" for Restore All, LLC, points to an assignment of benefits (AOB), a contentious area in Florida insurance law that frequently leads to litigation.

The legal context for this case is rooted in Florida's judicial hierarchy and specific statutory frameworks. The appeal moves from a County Court, which typically handles civil claims up to a certain monetary threshold, to an intermediate appellate court, the Fourth District Court of Appeal. FIGA's existence and operational parameters are governed by Chapter 631, Florida Statutes, which outlines its powers, duties, and limitations in managing claims against insolvent insurance companies. The presence of an AOB highlights the ongoing legal and legislative debates surrounding these agreements in Florida, particularly concerning their impact on insurance claims and litigation costs.

The key parties involved are the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association, Inc. (FIGA) as the Appellant, and Restore All, LLC, acting as assignee for Antonio Gonzalez, as the Appellee. The courts involved are the Fourth District Court of Appeal and the County Court for the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, Broward. The excerpt does not provide details on the specific issues on appeal or the outcome of the appellate review.

Practitioners in insurance law, property litigation, and those representing contractors or policyholders in Florida should closely monitor the eventual outcome of this appeal. A decision from the Fourth District Court of Appeal could provide crucial clarification or establish new precedent regarding FIGA's statutory obligations, the enforceability or interpretation of assignments of benefits in the context of insolvent insurers, or procedural aspects of appeals originating from county courts. Understanding the appellate court's stance on these issues will be vital for advising clients on claim strategies, litigation risks, and potential liabilities in future insurance disputes involving insolvent carriers or AOBs.