Title company sued for denying insurance claim

The part-owner of a Beaumont piece of property has filed suit against the insurance company that he alleges denied his claim for damages.

Steven Talalis claims he owns 33 ⅓ percent of the property located in Beaumont and secured an insurance policy on the property through Stewart Title Guaranty Co.

However, when Talalis attempted to file a claim with the insurance company for unspecified reasons, it denied the claim, according to the complaint filed June 20 in Jefferson County District Court.

Talalis claims Stewart Title violated the Texas Insurance Code by failing to affirm or deny coverage within a reasonable time, by failing to provide a reasonable explanation for the denial of a claim and by failing to effectuate a fair and prompt settlement of a claim.

In his complaint, Talalis is seeking damages within the jurisdictional limits of Jefferson County District Court, plus pre- and post-judgment interest, costs and other relief the court deems just.

Thomas O. Moses of Beaumont will be representing him.

The case has been assigned to Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd District Court.

Case No. E190-318