BatesCarey partner Matthew Fortin analyzes key Illinois insurance law rulings from Q4 2025 in Law360. His review highlights appellate rulings involving overlapping water damage coverages, statutory protections for genetic health information and the interpretation of contractual suit limitation provisions. Matthew also examines the Department of Insurance’s recent and unusual lawsuit against State Farm.

Key takeaways from the article include:

• The Illinois Appellate Court’s decision in Schaff v. Travelers Home and Marine Insurance Co., recognized that limited coverage under one additional coverage does not necessarily prevent recovery under another, broader additional coverage provision. This ruling clarifies how overlapping coverages should be evaluated in first-party property claims.
• In Reynolds v. State Farm Life Insurance Co., the Appellate Court affirmed the trial court’s dismissal, concluding that Section 20(b) applies only to health insurance underwriting, providing important guidelines on the statute’s scope and limits.
• In Garcia v. Sanchez-Lopez, the First District reinforced that contractual suit limitation provisions must clearly identify a specific deadline for policyholders to bring suit. Any ambiguity will be construed in favor of the insured, emphasizing the need for precise policy drafting.
• In a rare move, Director Ann Gillespie filed a lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court to compel State Farm to produce nationwide homeowners’ insurance data as part of a financial and market conduct examination.

These developments offer practical guidance for insurers, policyholders and legal practitioners navigating coverage disputes, drafting policy language and handling regulatory inquiries in Illinois. They also signal how courts and regulators may approach similar issues in future matters.

Click here for the full article.

Matt Fortin is a Partner who has spent his career investigating, litigating and advising clients on first-party insurance matters.