Boat Owner Sues GEICO Marine for Denying Claim After Robalo Yacht Sinks in Marathon, Florida
Mitch Conditt, a Texas resident and boat owner, has filed a breach of contract lawsuit against GEICO Marine Insurance Company following the total loss of his insured vessel after a sinking event in the Florida Keys. The action, filed in the Southern District of Florida under Case No. 4:25-cv-10044-DPG, seeks damages of $181,800 for GEICO’s alleged failure to provide coverage under a marine insurance policy issued for the vessel.
GEICO Denies Claim After 32-Foot Robalo R317 Yacht Sinks While Docked in Marathon
According to the complaint, Conditt’s 2018 32-foot Robalo R317 runabout, equipped with twin Yamaha 300 horsepower engines and bearing Hull ID ROBH0108G718, was insured under a GEICO BoatUS Marine Insurance Policy with an agreed value of $181,800. On August 4, 2024, while docked at 12399 Overseas Highway in Marathon, Florida, the vessel suffered a sudden and unexpected sinking.
Conditt alleges that the incident qualifies as a covered fortuitous loss under the marine insurance policy, which was in effect at the time and included coverage for accidental physical damage to the vessel within Florida waters. Following the incident, he took reasonable steps to mitigate damage and promptly notified GEICO of the loss.
Boat Owner Alleges GEICO Breached Marine Policy by Failing to Pay for Total Loss
The complaint states that despite receiving timely notice of the claim, GEICO failed to properly adjust the loss or issue payment. Conditt contends that no policy exclusion applied and that GEICO has offered no valid justification for denying the claim.
The lawsuit alleges that GEICO materially breached its obligations under the maritime insurance contract, despite Conditt having fulfilled all conditions precedent, including full payment of policy premiums and compliance with the claims process.
Marine Insurance Lawsuit Seeks Damages for Denied Claim Following Covered Sinking Event
Conditt is seeking judgment for the agreed value of the vessel, which he claims was rendered a constructive total loss due to extensive hull damage from the submersion. The suit also seeks consequential and incidental damages, attorneys’ fees, and pre- and post-judgment interest arising from the insurance company’s failure to honor the policy.
Contact a Marine Insurance Dispute Attorney Today if Your Yacht Claim Was Denied
Marine insurers have a duty to honor valid claims under agreed-value boat insurance policies. If your boat was damaged or sank and your insurance company denied coverage without justification, you may be entitled to damages under maritime law. To speak with a lawyer experienced in marine insurance litigation, contact us today for a consultation.
Estate of Deceased Boat Owner Files Limitation of Liability Petition After Collision Near Munyon Island
The estate of Michael Thomas Flattery has filed a petition in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida seeking to limit liability under the Shipowner’s Limitation of Liability Act following a November 2024 vessel collision near Munyon Island in North Palm Beach, Florida. Filed by personal representative “John Doe,” the petition seeks to cap liability at $22,500, the post-casualty value of the 26-foot Jupiter Marine vessel involved in the incident.
Vessel Collision in Intracoastal Waterway Allegedly Caused Constructive Total Loss
According to the petition, the 2014 Jupiter Marine open motorboat, bearing Hull Identification No. MEV26146H314, collided with a dock owned by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on November 22, 2024, at approximately 7:00 p.m. The vessel was operated for pleasure use at the time of the incident and had two occupants: Michael Thomas Flattery and his son, Michael Flattery, Jr.
The vessel was deemed a constructive total loss following the crash. The petition asserts that the event occurred while the vessel was being operated on the navigable waters of the Intracoastal Waterway and was engaged in maritime activity.
Estate Seeks Exoneration or Limitation of Liability Under Admiralty Law
Filed pursuant to 46 U.S.C. § 30501 et seq. and Supplemental Admiralty Rule F, the petition claims that the vessel was seaworthy and properly equipped, and that Flattery exercised due diligence and reasonable care in the operation and maintenance of the vessel.
The estate argues that if any damages, injuries, or losses resulted from the incident, they occurred without the privity or knowledge of the deceased owner. The petition seeks either complete exoneration or a judicial limitation of liability to the value of the vessel post-incident.
Limitation Action Targets Future Claims from Dock Owner and Surviving Occupant
The estate names potential claimants including the surviving son and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as the owner of the damaged dock. The petition states that, as of filing, no formal claims have been received. It includes a letter of undertaking from the estate’s insurer for $22,500 as security for any claims arising from the collision.
The filing asks the court to issue a monition requiring all potential claimants to present claims in the limitation proceeding and to enjoin any ongoing or future litigation outside the admiralty action.
Contact a Maritime Limitation of Liability Attorney Today if You Face a Vessel Claim
Shipowners or their estates may invoke federal limitation of liability protections when marine accidents occur, but the legal standards are strict and highly technical. If you are responding to a boating accident claim or seeking to protect vessel assets, contact us today for a consultation to speak with an experienced admiralty lawyer.
