Howden Denied Summary Judgment on Insurer’s Fraud Claims in Fla. Brokerage Dispute

MIAMI — A Florida state judge has denied Howden Insurance Brokers summary judgment on claims that it fraudulently schemed with another broker to overcharge a Costa Rican insurer reinsurance commissions.

In a one-page order issued Jan. 9, Judge Beth Bloom of the Miami-Dade County (Fla.) Circuit Court denied Howden’s motion for partial summary judgment on Instituto Nacional De Seguros’ claims of fraudulent misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation and constructive fraud.

INS provides property damage and business interruption coverage to Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), the Costa Rican state-owned telecommunications supplier.

In 2009, INS invited various brokers to bid for the placement of …