John the Plumber, Inc., a small family-owned plumbing contractor, has filed a lawsuit against its former insurance agent, Atlantic Pacific Insurance, Inc., alleging negligence in the procurement of insurance policies. The complaint was filed by John the Plumber, Inc. on April 10, 2025, in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida. The defendant in this case is Atlantic Pacific Insurance, Incorporated.
The plaintiff accuses Atlantic Pacific Insurance (APINS) of failing to properly manage and communicate regarding their Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance policies over several years. According to the complaint, APINS had been responsible for procuring JTP's business insurance since 2017 but allegedly neglected its duties by not discussing policy terms or considering updated financial information from JTP. This oversight led to significantly underestimated premiums for JTP's CGL policies with Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies from 2020 through 2024.
JTP claims that due to APINS's negligence, they were hit with unexpected additional premium invoices totaling $120,868.67 after an audit by GUARD revealed discrepancies between reported payroll figures and actual payroll records. As a result of these unforeseen costs and subsequent debt collection threats from GUARD, JTP was forced into a settlement agreement for $90,000 to avoid litigation.
The plaintiff argues that had APINS communicated effectively and sought updated records annually as required under their duty of care as professional insurance agents; JTP could have secured more affordable CGL policies elsewhere without incurring excessive premiums amounting to $184,324.73 over two policy terms.
In response to these allegations against APINS’s negligent procurement practices resulting in financial damages suffered by John the Plumber Inc., compensation is being sought through compensatory damages along with prejudgment interest and legal costs incurred during this process.
Representing John The Plumber Inc., attorneys Ruben E. Socarras and Jafar M. Abuyounis from Chane Socarras PLLC. The Case Number is: 502025CA003419XXXAMB Div: AH.