Weitz Co. v. Lexington Insurance (982 F. Supp. 2d 975, 2013)

ORDER

JOHN A. JARVEY, District Judge.

I. INTRODUCTION

Plaintiff, the Weitz Company, LLC (“Weitz”) filed a Complaint against the Defendants on June 4, 2010. [Dkt. No. 1.] Defendants are Lexington Insurance Company (“Lexington”); Allied World Assurance Company (U.S.), Inc. (“Allied”); Westchester Surplus Lines Insurance Company (“Westchester”); Essex Insurance Company (“Essex”); and Lloyd’s of London, et al., a/k/a/ Underwriters at Lloyd’s (“Lloyd’s Underwriters”). Weitz filed an amended complaint on October 28, 2010, a second amended complaint on March 3, 2011, and a third amended complaint on October 30, 2013. [Dkt. Nos. 24, 68, 204.] The second amended complaint alleges two causes of action in equity: (1) subrogation and (2) unjust enrichment. [Dkt. No. 68.] Defendants filed motions to dismiss pursuant to the second amended complaint. On May 25, 2011, this Court issued an order denying Defendants’ motions to dismiss. [Dkt. Nos. 89.]

This matter now comes before the Court pursuant to Lexington/Allied’s motion for summary judgment filed on April 4, 2013. [Dkt. No. 148.] The other Defendants, including Westchester, Essex, and Lloyd’s Underwriters, joined Lexington/Allied’s motion for summary judgment in part and filed separate briefs in support of summary judgment. [Dkt. Nos. 152, 153.] On May 10, 2013, Weitz filed its resistance to Lexington/Allied’s motion for summary judgment. [Dkt. No. 156.] The Court held oral argument on July 12, 2013.

This Court has diversity jurisdiction over the subject matter of this case pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a)(1) and (a)(2) because there is complete diversity of citizenship between Weitz and the Defendants, and an amount in controversy that exceeds $75,000, exclusive of interest and costs. Venue is proper in the Southern District of Iowa under 28 U.S.C. § 1391(a)(2) because a substantial part of the events giving rise to the claim occurred therein. After reviewing the parties’ briefs and relevant case law, this Court finds that there is no genuine issue of material fact, and Defendants’ motions for summary judgment are GRANTED.

II. FACTS

This case arises from the construction of a retirement community in Aventura, Florida. On January 8, 2001, the plaintiff, The Weitz Company, LLC (“Weitz”), entered into a contract with CC-Aventura, Inc., an affiliate of the Hyatt Corporation (“Hyatt”), to build a luxury-life residential community. It consisted of two 23-story residential buildings (“the towers”), an amenities building, an adjacent health center (“the care center”), a plaza deck, and a parking garage. Upon its completion, Hyatt noticed defects in the property’s workmanship. The damage was severe: there were cracks in the stucco on the towers and care center; cracks and water intrusion in the concrete floor slabs in the towers; defects in waterproofing and inadequate drainage in the towers and care center; water and moisture intrusion through the window system in the towers and care center; and damage to the plaza deck.

According to the second amended complaint, Allied, Axis, Essex, Lexington, Lloyd’s Underwriters, and Westchester provided “all risk” property insurance policies to Hyatt covering the project. [Dkt. No. 142 Page 5]; [Dkt. No. 89 Page 4.] For instance, in late 2003, Lexington and Allied World issued commercial first-party property insurance policies to Hyatt insuring multiple Hyatt properties throughout the United States. [Dkt. No. 148-2 Page 4.] These policies included the Classic-Aventura property in Florida. [Dkt. No. 148-2 Page 4.] The policies provided insurance coverage for “direct physical loss or damage” to the covered properties for certain periods of time. [Dkt. No. 148-2 Page 6.] The policies covered losses occurring during the policy time periods, and included contractual limitations and notice provisions.

In 2005, Hyatt, Lexington, and Allied entered into a settlement agreement, in which Lexington/Allied agreed to pay Hyatt $750,000 for the reported claims arising from the project. In return, Hyatt released Lexington/Allied from liability. Weitz alleges that the agreement was coerced — that is, Lexington/Allied threatened not to renew Hyatt’s coverage unless Hyatt agreed to a low settlement offer. The settlement agreement related to the reports Hyatt made about damages to the care center in or about September 2004, and damages to the towers in or about July 2005. Damages to the plaza deck were not reported until in or about the fall of 2008.

In 2006, after settling with Lexington/Allied, Hyatt filed a lawsuit against Weitz and MSA Architects, Inc. (“MSA”) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, on grounds of breach of contract, breach of guaranty, and breach of applicable building codes. Hyatt sought to recover $102 million for the costs it incurred to repair the construction and design defects, and to remediate the impact the project had on Hyatt’s business. Weitz blamed its subcontractors, bringing third-party claims against them, and Weitz made claims against its liability insurers. At that time, Weitz did not bring any third-party claims against Hyatt’s first-party property insurers — the Defendants in this case.

In 2010, shortly before trial, Weitz entered into a settlement agreement with Hyatt. Pursuant to the agreement, Weitz paid Hyatt approximately $53 million for the property damage Hyatt suffered. The Defendants allege that Weitz recovered $55,799,684 in connection with the litigation in Florida from settlements with its own liability insurers, subcontractors, and the sureties and insurers of its subcontractors.

Later that same year, Weitz sued Hyatt’s first-party property insurers — the Defendants — in this Court on a breach-of-contract theory. Weitz amended its initial complaint to seek recovery in equity through subrogation and unjust enrichment. [Dkt. No. 68 Page 6.] Weitz alleges that the $53 million Weitz paid Hyatt for property damages should have been covered by Hyatt’s insurance policies that were issued by the Defendants. Based on assignments from entities that contributed to the Hyatt/Weitz settlement, Weitz now seeks to recover a counterclaim of $4,963,404.18 that Weitz gave up as a part of that settlement.

As to the equitable and/or legal subrogation claim, Weitz argues that the Defendants are primarily liable for the property damage to the project because: (1) Weitz paid Hyatt for the property damage covered by the Defendants’ policies; (2) Weitz made the settlement payment to Hyatt to protect its own interests; (3) Weitz’s settlement payment to Hyatt was not voluntary; (4) Weitz’s settlement payment served as payment of Defendants’ entire debt; and (5) given that the settlement payment made by Weitz to Hyatt should have been made by the Defendants, subrogation against the Defendants would not work any injustice to them. See In re Chapala Intern., Inc., No. 94-1208-CH, 1995 WL 17911422, at *34 (S.D.Iowa May 26, 1995) (articulating the five-part test to prove an equitable subrogation claim) (citing In re Hagen, 147 B.R. 166, 167 (Bankr. N.D.Iowa 1992)).

Regarding the unjust enrichment claim, Weitz asserts that it conferred a benefit on the Defendants because it covered the property damages that were the responsibility of the Defendants under their insurance policies. For that reason, Defendants were unjustly enriched by the benefit that Weitz conferred. It would be inequitable, Weitz argues, to allow the Defendants to retain the benefit without paying for its value.

The Defendants argue that Weitz has already been made whole from the payments it received after settling with Hyatt. Therefore, Weitz cannot collect at law or in equity because it has already been reimbursed for everything it paid Hyatt in 2010. In addition, the Defendants contend that no amount of the settlement paid by Weitz to Hyatt was a liability owed by the Defendant insurers. Finally, the Defendants also argue that Weitz’s claims fail as a matter of law because Weitz’s claims are barred by the release Lexington/Allied received from Hyatt, and the suit limitation clauses and notice provisions in Defendants’ insurance policies. Because the Defendants only insured against “direct physical loss or damage” to the insured property, they argue that Weitz cannot recover for an alleged breach-of-contract counterclaim.

III. STANDARD FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

“Summary judgment is proper if there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Carraher v. Target Corp., 503 F.3d 714, 716 (8th Cir. 2007) (citing Fed.R.Civ.P.56(e); Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322-23, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986)). The moving party has the initial burden of demonstrating the absence of a genuine issue of material fact. See Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548. The requirement of a “genuine” issue of fact means that “the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party.” Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986). In other words, the nonmoving party is not “relieved” of its “own burden of producing in turn evidence that would support a jury verdict.” Id. at 256,106 S.Ct. 2505.

This Court “must view the evidence, and the inferences that may be reasonably drawn from it, in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party.” Carraher, 503 F.3d at 716. The nonmoving party, or party opposing a properly supported motion for summary judgment, “ ‘may not rest upon the mere allegations or denials of his pleading, but ... must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial.’ ” Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505 (quoting Fed. R.Civ.P. 56(e)). “One of the principal purposes of the summary judgment rule is to isolate and dispose of factually unsupported claims or defenses, and ... [the rule] should be interpreted in a way that allows it to accomplish this purpose.” Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 323-24, 106 S.Ct. 2548. In this case, there is no genuine issue of material fact for trial because the Plaintiff did not present evidence from which a jury might return a verdict in its favor. See Anderson, 477 U.S. at 257, 106 S.Ct. 2505.

IV. DISCUSSION

A. Choice-of-Law Analysis

An analysis of whether the Defendants’ contractual limitations provisions apply to Weitz’s claims, and whether Weitz’s unjust enrichment claim is separate from Weitz’s equitable subrogation claim, presents a choice-of-law issues as to which of the following three states’ laws apply: Illinois (location of the named insured’s headquarters); Florida (location of the loss); or Iowa (location of Weitz’s headquarters).

A court makes four analytical steps in resolving a choice-of-law issue: (1) characterize the nature of the cause of action; (2) decide if a conflict of law exists; (3) identify the law that applies based on the forum state’s choice-of-law principles; and (4) determine which state’s substantive law applies based on the application of the forum state’s choice-of-law principles. See Jackson v. Travelers Insurance Co., 26 F.Supp.2d 1153, 1156-57 (S.D.Iowa 1998).

In deciding the choice-of-law questions presented here, this Court finds the following: (1) Weitz’s claims are properly characterized as contract claims; (2) A “true conflict” exists between the laws of Florida and Iowa, and the laws of Illinois regarding whether an unjust enrichment claim is a separate cause of action, and whether contractual limitations clauses that shorten an applicable statutory limitations period are permissible; (3) Under the Iowa choice-of-law rules, the “most significant relationship” test of the Restatement (Second) Conflict of Laws § 188 is applicable, not §§ 145 or 193; and (4) In applying the factors set forth under § 188, Illinois substantive law applies.

1. Nature of the Claims

This Court’s jurisdiction is based upon diversity jurisdiction; therefore, this Court must follow the choice-of-law rules of the state in which it sits. See Klaxon Co. v. Stentor Electric Mfg. Co., 313 U.S. 487, 496-97, 61 S.Ct. 1020, 85 L.Ed. 1477 (1941); see also Colonial Ins. Co. of Cal. v. Spirco Envtl. Inc., 137 F.3d 560, 561 (8th Cir.1998). In this case, the parties agree that Iowa’s choice-of-law rules govern the Court’s determination of the applicable substantive law because Iowa is the forum state. See Carton v. General Motors Acceptance Corp., 639 F.Supp.2d 982, 987 (N.D.Iowa 2009) (citing Alumbaugh v. Union Pac. R.R. Co., 322 F.3d 520, 523 (8th Cir.2003)). The parties’ agreement ends there.

The first step in determining a choice-of-law question is to properly characterize the type of case involved, and the law of the forum state controls this question. See Drinkall v. Used Car Rentals, Inc., 32 F.3d 329, 331 (8th Cir.1994) (quoting O’Neal v. Kennamer, 958 F.2d 1044, 1046 (11th Cir.1992)). The “nature of the causes of action” must first be decided because “a state may have adopted different choice of law approaches depending on the nature of the claim.” Jackson, 26 F.Supp.2d at 1156 (citing Drinkall, 32 F.3d at 331).

a. Summary of the Arguments Regarding the Nature of the Claims

The first question in this case is whether equitable subrogation and unjust enrichment claims are properly characterized as tort or contract claims.

In their motion for summary judgment, Lexington/Allied contend that Weitz’s equitable subrogation and unjust enrichment claims implicate Lexington/Allied’s obligations under their property insurance contracts with Hyatt. Lexington/Allied argue that “[f]or choice of law purposes these [Weitz’s] claims most closely resemble contract claims.” [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 15.] This point was reiterated at the hearing on Defendants’ motions for summary judgment in July of this year. [Dkt. No. 185 Page 81.] Lexington/Allied rely on Duchardt v. Midland Nat’l Life Ins. Co., 265 F.R.D. 436, 446-48 (S.D.Iowa 2009), and Dethmers Mfg. Co. v. Automatic Equipment, Mfg. Co., 23 F.Supp.2d 974, 1001-04 (N.D.Iowa 1998), for the proposition that Iowa’s contract choice-of-law principles apply here.

Weitz counters that it has a right to recover based on legally valid assignments to Weitz by its subcontractors and insurers. Weitz disagrees with Lexington/Allied that Weitz “stand[s] in Hyatt’s shoes against [Lexington/Allied] as an insured” or it is a “contractual subrogee.” [Dkt. No. 156 Page 8.] Rather, Weitz stresses that it brings claims for equitable — not contractual — subrogation and unjust enrichment. Since Weitz brings claims “solely in equity, not contract,” it contends that Iowa’s tort choice-of-law rules apply. [Dkt. No. 156 Pages 1213.] According to Weitz, Am. Online, Inc. v. National Health Care Discount, Inc., 121 F.Supp.2d 1255 (N.D.Iowa 2000), is the most persuasive precedent, and any reliance on Dethmers is misplaced.

b. Analysis of the Arguments Regarding the Nature of the Claims

This Court disagrees with Weitz’s characterization of its claims. Under the laws of the forum state, Iowa, all of Weitz’s claims are in contract.

On the one hand, it is true that “[t]he right of subrogation is not founded on contract.” Pearlman v. Reliance Ins. Co., 371 U.S. 132, 136 n. 12, 83 S.Ct. 232, 9 L.Ed.2d 190 (1962). Rather, subrogation is a “creature of equity.” Id. It is formed independent of contractual relationships. See Id. On the other hand, the unjust enrichment and equitable subrogation claims Weitz brings against Lexington/Allied are based on insurance policies between Hyatt Corporation and Lexington/Allied. Therefore, Weitz’s allegations against Lexington/Allied relate to contracts, not torts. See Weitz Co. v. Lloyd’s London, No. 4:04-CV-90353-TJS, 2008 WL 7796651 (S.D.Iowa Mar. 31, 2008), rev’d on other grounds, 574 F.3d 885 (8th Cir.2009) (finding that Weitz’s claim for water damage against other insurers was based on policies of insurance, and therefore, was a contract claim); see also Weitz Co. v. Travelers Cas. & Sur. Co. of Am., 266 F.Supp.2d 984, 992 (S.D.Iowa 2003) (finding plaintiffs allegations related to contracts where plaintiff brought claims based on policies of insurance, and defendant denied coverage for a variety of reasons); Grinnell Mut. Reinsurance Co. v. Jungling Jr., 654 N.W.2d 530, 536 (Iowa 2002) (indicating that “insurance policies are in the nature of adhesion contracts”).

In addition, the case law relied upon by Weitz is distinguishable. In Am. Online, Inc., the court correctly applied Restatement (Second) § 145’s tort choice-of-law principles because the claims at issue were properly characterized as tort claims. 121 F.Supp.2d at 1269-70. There, an Iowa corporation hired e-mailers to send unauthorized and unsolicited bulk e-mail advertisements to customers of AOL, an Internet Service Provider (ISP), in violation of state and federal laws. Id. at 1270. By relying on Am. Online, Inc., Weitz incorrectly argues that Iowa’s tort choice-of-law rules apply here. In sum, if there is a “true conflict” between the laws of Florida, Illinois, and Iowa, this Court must apply Iowa’s contract, not tort, choice-of-law rules.

2. Existence of Conflicts of Laws

The second step in determining a choice-of-law question requires the Court to decide if there is any conflict or difference between the state laws regarding the claims presented. See Jackson, 26 F.Supp.2d at 1156-1157 (citing Phillips v. Marist Soc’y, 80 F.3d 274, 276 (8th Cir. 1996)). “Before any choice of law need be made, there must be a ‘true conflict’ between the laws of the possible jurisdictions on the pertinent issue.” Harlan Feeders, Inc. v. Grand Lab., 881 F.Supp. 1400, 1404 (N.D.Iowa 1995) (citing Nesladek v. Ford Motor Co., 46 F.3d 734, 736 (8th Cir.1995)). Federal district courts in Iowa have used the term “conflict” or “difference” to indicate the situation where two or more laws are contradictory to each other. Jackson, 26 F.Supp.2d at 1157.

For example, in Harlan Feeders, Inc., the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa held that there was a “true conflict” between Nebraska’s prohibition of punitive or exemplary damages by its Constitution, and Iowa’s establishment by statute and common law of the availability and substantive requirements for punitive damages. Harlan Feeders, Inc., 881 F.Supp. at 1404-05. The court concluded that there was a “true conflict” between the laws of Nebraska and Iowa regarding the right to seek punitive damages in a civil action. Id. The court reasoned that the availability of punitive damages was a question of “substantive law,” rather than “procedural law.” Id. at 1408. Therefore, the court held that “punitive damages must be considered in this case in accordance with the substantive law of the state selected by application of Iowa’s confliet-of-laws rules.” Id.

a. Summary of the Arguments Regarding Unjust Enrichment Claims

At issue is whether a “true conflict” between the laws of Iowa, Florida, or Illinois exists. If no conflict or difference between the laws exists, then the law of the forum applies without a choice-of-law analysis being necessary. Phillips, 80 F.3d at 276.

Lexington/Allied contend that differences exist between the states’ laws relating to (1) if unjust enrichment is a separate cause of action, and (2) if contractual limitations clauses that shorten an applicable statutory limitations period are permissible. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Pages 23, 31.] They cite Siegel v. Shell Oil Co., 612 F.3d 932, 937 (7th Cir.2010), and this Court’s May 25, 2011 order denying Defendants’ motions to dismiss for the proposition that Illinois does not recognize unjust enrichment as a separate cause of action. [Dkt. No. 89.] By contrast, Lexington/Allied assert that Florida and Iowa generally recognize a separate cause of action for unjust enrichment. See Moynet v. Courtois, 8 So.3d 377, 379 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App.2009); see also Iowa Waste Sys., Inc. v. Buchanan County, 617 N.W.2d 23, 29-31 (Iowa Ct. App.2003).

Responding, Weitz disagrees with Lexington/Allied’s characterization of the law. According to Weitz, no conflict of law exists to justify a choice-of-law analysis. [Dkt. No. 156 Page 15.] Weitz refers this Court to Cleary v. Philip Morris Inc., 656 F.3d 511 (7th Cir.2011), and Control Solutions, LLC v. Oshkosh Corp., No. 10 C 121, 2012 WL 3096678 (N.D.Ill. July 27, 2012), contending that Illinois does recognize a stand-alone cause of action for unjust enrichment.

b. Analysis of the Arguments Regarding Unjust Enrichment Claims

There is a difference between the laws of Illinois, and the laws of Florida and Iowa regarding unjust enrichment claims. Under Illinois law, a claim for unjust enrichment is not a separate cause of action based on the facts confronting this Court. See Siegel, 612 F.3d at 937.

Contrary to the arguments presented in Weitz’s brief, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Cleary does not definitively resolve whether Illinois recognizes unjust enrichment as a separate cause of action. Cleary, 656 F.3d at 518. It is true that the Seventh Circuit in Cleary cites Illinois Supreme Court cases that recognize unjust enrichment as an independent cause of action, such as Raintree Homes, Inc. v. Vill. of Long Grove, 209 Ill.2d 248, 282 Ill.Dec. 815, 807 N.E.2d 439, 445 (2004); Peddinghaus v. Peddinghaus, 295 111. App.3d 943, 230 Ill.Dec. 55, 692 N.E.2d 1221, 1225 (1998); HPI Health Care Servs., Inc. v. Mt. Vernon Hosp., Inc., 131 Ill.2d 145, 137 Ill.Dec. 19, 545 N.E.2d 672, 679 (1989); and Indep. Voters v. Ill. Commerce Comm’n, 117 Ill.2d 90, 109 Ill.Dec. 782, 510 N.E.2d 850, 852-58 (1987). However, Weitz overlooks the Seventh Circuit’s analysis of recent Illinois case law suggesting an opposite conclusion than the one Weitz puts forth — that is, “an unjust enrichment claim cannot stand untethered from an underlying claim.” Cleary, 656 F.3d at 518. At the hearing on Defendants’ motions for summary judgment, Weitz went so far as to argue:

“[I]n Cleary v. Philip Morris, the [Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals] expressly addressed what the prior cases hadn’t done, the question of does Illinois recognize a distinct cause of action for unjust enrichment, and after reviewing the lilinois cases and saying that it had located at least four Illinois Supreme Court cases, the Seventh Circuit said it certainly appears to us that Illinois recognizes a stand alone cause of action for unjust enrichment” (emphasis added).

[Dkt. No. 185 Page 69.] Weitz misstates Cleary.

After analyzing the conflicting case law on whether unjust enrichment is a separate cause of action, the Seventh Circuit wrote, “Despite these reflections, it is not necessary to resolve definitively whether Illinois law recognizes unjust enrichment as an independent cause of action: the plaintiffs’ case fails because their allegations are insufficient to support a cause of action for unjust enrichment.” Cleary, 656 F.Sd at 518. More importantly, the Seventh Circuit’s resolution of the “apparently conflicting language” of Illinois state law on unjust enrichment claims bolsters Lexington/Allied’s contentions. As Lexington/Allied note in their reply brief, Cleary stands for the proposition that “if an unjust enrichment claim rests on the same improper conduct alleged in another claim, then the unjust enrichment claim will be tied to this related claim — and, of course, unjust enrichment will stand or fall with the related claim.” [Dkt. No. 164 Pages 10-11]; Cleary, 656 F.3d at 517 (citing Ass’n Benefit Servs., Inc. v. Caremark RX, Inc., 493 F.3d 841, 855 (7th Cir.2007)).

Other Illinois case law — even precedent cited by Weitz — comes to the same conclusion as the court in Cleary. See, e.g., Pirelli Armstrong Tire Corp. Retiree Medical Benefits Trust v. Walgreen Co., 631 F.3d 436, 447 (7th Cir.2011) (“Under Illinois law, unjust enrichment is not a separate cause of action. ‘Rather, it is a condition that may be brought about by unlawful or improper conduct as defined by law, such as fraud, duress, or undue influence, and may be redressed by a cause of action based upon that improper conduct’ ”); see also Control Solutions, 2012 WL 3096678, at *10 (“Thus, unjust enrichment may be asserted as a stand alone claim. However, if the improper conduct that forms the basis of the unjust enrichment claim is the same conduct forming the basis for another claim, then either both stand as alternative theories of recovery or both fail”); Mulligan v. QVC, Inc., 382 Ill.App.3d 620, 321 Ill.Dec. 257, 888 N.E.2d 1190, 1200 (2008) (“[T]his court has held that [a claim for unjust enrichment] is not a separate cause of action that, standing alone, would justify an action for recovery. ‘Rather, it is a condition that may be brought about by unlawful or improper conduct such as fraud, and may be redressed by a cause of action based upon that improper conduct’ ”). Thus, neither Cleary nor Control Solutions, stand for the proposition that Illinois recognizes a stand-alone cause of action for an unjust enrichment claim where, as here, an unjust enrichment claim and an equitable subrogation claim arise from the same conduct of the Defendants.

Furthermore, Lexington/Allied and Weitz refer this Court to its May 25, 2011 order, [Dkt. No. 89 Page 17 n. 10], denying Defendants’ motions to dismiss in which this Court found that under Illinois law a claim for unjust enrichment is not a separate cause of action. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 23]; [Dkt. No. 156 Page 21.] However, in reaching that conclusion, this Court stated that “no conflict exists on the issue of unjust enrichment among the three states (Iowa, Illinois, and Florida) whose law potentially governs.” [Dkt. No. 89 Page 17 n. 10.] Based on this reasoning, the Court did not conduct a choice-of-law analysis. Upon further reflection, this Court is persuaded that it was -wrong. Moreover, after review of the parties’ briefs, and the case law referenced above, this Court finds that a “true conflict” exists because Illinois laws, and the laws of Florida and Iowa would provide conflicting results on whether unjust enrichment is a separate cause of action. See Harlan Feeders, Inc., 881 F.Supp. at 1404.

c. Summary of the Arguments Regarding Contractual Limitations Provisions

Lexington/Allied contend that Illinois recognizes and enforces contractual limitations provisions. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 30.] Lexington/Allied argue that Illinois courts have held that suits on insurance policies brought after expiration of such a contractual limitations period must be dismissed because compliance with the limitations period is a condition precedent to recovery. According to Lexington/Allied, Iowa also enforces these clauses if they are “reasonable in light of the contracts’ provisions and the circumstances of their performance.” [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 31.] Conversely, Lexington/Allied argue that Florida does not permit contractual limitations clauses that shorten an applicable statutory limitations period. See Scratch Golf, LLC. v. Lexington Ins. Co., No. 08-60815, 2009 WL 1287963, at *2-3 (S.D.Fla. May 6, 2009), aff'd, No. 09-13088, 2009 WL 4377556 (11th Cir.2009).

Weitz asserts that the statute of limitations for a claim for equitable subrogation under Florida law is four years, and only begins to run once payment is made. [Dkt. No. 156 Page 27]; see also Fla. Stat. Ann. § 95.11(3)(k) (West 2013); Allstate Ins. Co. v. Metro. Dade County, 436 So.2d 976, 979 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App.1983). Weitz points to Am. Alliance Ins. Co. v. IARW Ins. Co., Ltd., as the sole authority to suggest Illinois courts are “in accord” with Florida law. 165 F.3d 558, 561 (7th Cir. 1999). Referring this Court to Am. Alliance Ins. Co., Weitz argues that the Seventh Circuit applied Illinois law and held that “[a] period of limitations set by contract binds only the parties to the contract.” Id. Thus, Weitz contends that its claims are not time barred under either Illinois or Florida law.

Weitz also distinguishes the cases relied upon by Lexington/Allied as contractual subrogation cases that are “inapplicable” in the context of a “purely equitable claim.” [Dkt. No. 156 Page 28.] Weitz argues that the cases cited by Lexington/Allied are distinct because they involved direct actions by an insured against its insurer. Weitz also cites Florida and Illinois case law that highlight the distinctions between causes of action for contractual subrogation and equitable subrogation. See, e.g., State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v. Johnson, 18 So.3d 1099, 1100-1101 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App.2009); see also Electric Ins. Co. v. Nat’l Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, 346 F.Supp.2d 958, 964 (N.D.Ill.2004).

d. Analysis of the Arguments Regarding Contractual Limitations Provisions

There exists a conflict of laws over how contractual limitations provisions are treated. The Lexington/Allied policies state in relevant part: “No suit or action on this policy for the recovery of any claim shall be sustainable in a court of law or equity ... unless commenced within twenty-four months next after inception of the loss.” [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 29.] The parties agree that, under Florida law, the contractual limitations provision would not bar Weitz’s action if it shortened the applicable statutory limitations period for the claim. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 32]; [Dkt. No. 156 Page 27.]

Whether Illinois’s law would enforce the Lexington/Allied policies’ limitation is at the center of the parties’ disagreement. This Court finds that Weitz’s reliance on Am. Alliance is problematic. In Am. Alliance, the Seventh Circuit held that a contribution claim was a direct claim, and the contractual limitations period did not apply to it. Yet, the Seventh Circuit reasoned that a contractual limitations period would apply to a subrogation claim. See Am. Alliance, 165 F.Sd at 560-61. As Lexington/Allied correctly pointed out at the hearing on their motion for summary judgment:

“Now, the [United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois], just like the Seventh Circuit, contrasted [subrogation] with contribution and said contribution is distinct because under Illinois law that is a direct claim. Weitz is not bringing a claim for contribution here, it is bringing a claim for subrogation and a claim for unjust enrichment that simply incorporates the allegations from its previous counts for equitable subrogation.”

[Dkt. No. 185 Page 96.] For that reason, Lexington/Allied’s contractual limitations policy would be upheld under Illinois law.

Because this Court concludes there are conflicts of laws, it must next decide which state’s substantive law applies to the controversies presented based on Iowa’s choice-of-law principles. See Jackson, 26 F.Supp.2d at 1159. Once this Court determines which state’s substantive law applies, it will determine whether Weitz can bring a separate unjust enrichment claim, and whether the two-year suit limitations period in Lexington/Allied’s policies applies to Weitz’s claims in equity.

3. Choice-of-Law Principles of the Forum State

The third step in determining a choice-of-law question requires the Court to “identify the applicable choice-of-law principles of the forum state, and finally, apply those principles to decide which state’s law applies.” Jackson, 26 F.Supp.2d at 1157. “The Iowa Supreme Court has repeatedly turned to the Restatement in analyzing the choice of law issues.” Washburn v. Soper, 319 F.3d 338, 342 (8th Cir.2003). It most recently considered choice-of-law issues in May of this year. See Moad v. Dakota Truck Underwriters, 831 N.W.2d 111, 115 (Iowa 2013).

Because choice-of-law clauses express the intent of the parties to a contract, Iowa courts are generally deferential to such clauses. See Gabe’s Constr. Co. v. United Capitol Ins. Co., 539 N.W.2d 144, 146 (Iowa 1995). Nothing in the record indicates that there was a choice-of-law clause in the insurance policies negotiated between Hyatt and Lexington/Allied.

Where the parties to a contract have not specified which law governs, Iowa applies the law of the state with the “most significant relationship” or interests in the litigation, as determined by Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 188. See Aurora National Life Assurance Co., 462 F.Supp.2d 951, 962 (S.D.Iowa 2006) (citing Gabe’s Constr. Co., 539 N.W.2d at 146); see also Woods Masonry, Inc. v. Monumental Gen. Cas. Ins. Co., 198 F.Supp.2d 1016, 1025 (N.D.Iowa 2002); Cole v. State Auto. & Cas. Underwriters, 296 N.W.2d 779, 781 (Iowa 1980) (an insurance contract case in which Iowa adopted the “most significant relationship” test).

a. Arguments Regarding Sections 145,188, and 193

The parties disagree as to whether Restatement (Second) Conflict of Laws §§ 145, 188, or 193 should apply. Weitz asserts that in applying the factors under Restatement (Second) Conflict of Laws § 145’s tort choice-of-law test, Florida law controls. [Dkt. No. 156 Page 13]; [Dkt. No. 185 Page 100.] For the reasons stated above, this Court disagrees with Weitz that a torts choice-of-law test is appropriate.

In the alternative, Weitz argues that “[e]ven if the Court were to apply Iowa’s contract rules to a choice-of-law analysis, Lexington/Allied apply the wrong test.” [Dkt. No. 156 Page 13.] According to Weitz, § 193 of the Restatement, “Contracts of Fire, Surety or Casualty,” provides that the law of the state where the risk is located governs when the contract is one of insurance, unless another state has a more significant relationship to the parties and the transaction. [Dkt. No. 156 Page 14.] Liability insurance is one of the various kinds of “casualty insurance.” See Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 193, cmt. a (1971); see also Gabe’s Constr. Co., 539 N.W.2d at 147.

Weitz urges the Court to adopt the site-specific choice-of-law test under Restatement (Second) Conflict of Laws § 193 for the insurance contracts between Hyatt and Lexington/Allied to determine whether Florida, Illinois, or Iowa law applies. [Dkt. No. 156 Pages 13-14.]- Weitz attempts to bolster its claim that Florida law should apply by referring the Court to comment f of § 193. Comment f addresses the situation of “multiple risk policies which insure against risks located in several states,” and the comment suggests that if a house located in one state were damaged by a fire, then the local law of that state would apply “at least with respect to most issues.” Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 193, cmt. f (1971).

In its reply brief, Lexington/Allied cite St. Paul Fire and argue that § 193 of the Restatement does not apply here “because it pertains only to policies that are governed by state-specific statutory forms.” [Dkt. No. 164 Page 7]; see also St. Paul Fire and Marine Ins. Co. v. Building Const. Enterprises, Inc., 526 F.3d 1166, 1168-69 (8th Cir.2008). Instead, Lexington/Allied argue that § 188, a general choice-of-law test for use when a contract contains no choice-of-law provision, should apply. St. Paul Fire, 526 F.3d at 1168.

b. Analysis of the Arguments Regarding Sections 145, 188, and 193

The Court rejects Weitz’s reliance on Restatement (Second) Conflict of Laws § 193 in support of its alternative argument that Florida law should apply. Section 193 is a specific choice-of-law provision that addresses “contracts of fire, surety or casualty insurance” and treats the principal location of the insured risk as the most important factor in the choice-of-law determination. See Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 193 (1971).

In St. Paul Fire, § 193 was addressed in the context of multi-risk insurance policies where, as here, there is no principal location for the insured risk. St. Paul Fire, 526 F.3d at 1168-69. There, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the argument that Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 193 required the application of Kansas law, and held that Restatement § 188 required the application of Missouri law. Id. at 1169. The insurance contract dispute involved a claim for coverage of construction activity in Kansas. Id. However, the insurance policy was issued in Missouri, the insured was headquartered in Missouri, and the place of contracting for the purpose of entering into the insurance contracts was in Missouri. Id.

The court reasoned that “[w]ith multiple-risk insurance policies, there often will be no principal location for the insured risk. In such circumstances, the general, multi-factored test of § 188, rather than the site specific test of 193, typically controls.” Id. at 1168-69 (citing Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 193 cmt. a (1971) (stating that in cases where “there may be no principal location of the insured risk ... the location of the risk can play little role in the determination of the applicable law. The law governing insurance contracts of this latter sort must be determined in accordance with the principles set forth in the rule of § 188”); Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 193 cmt. b (1971) (stating that situations where the risk cannot “be located, at least principally, in a single state ... and where the location of the risk has less significance, include ... where the policy covers a group of risks that are scattered throughout two or more states”)). In reaching this conclusion, the Eighth Circuit explained that § 193, comment f, was not applicable because it pertained only to insurance policies that were governed by state-specific statutory forms. Id.

Weitz does not address St. Paul Fire, and its reliance on Gabe’s Construction Co. is misplaced. [Dkt. No. 156 Page 14.] In Gabe’s Construction Co., the Iowa Supreme Court relied upon § 193 to conclude that Iowa law should apply because the principal location of the insurer’s risk was in Iowa. Gabe’s Constr. Co., 539 N.W.2d at 146-47. There, liability arose from an endorsement that named Gabe’s Construction Co. as an additional insured. Id. at 147. The certificate of insurance was also specifically limited to coverage from liability arising from a project in Iowa. Id.

This case is markedly different than Gabe’s Construction Co. Here, the insurance policies of Lexington/Allied and Hyatt were not specifically limited to coverage of one project in one state. Lexington/Allied’s insurance policies do not cover Hyatt principally in Florida. Thus, § 193 loses its significance. See Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 193 cmt. b (1971); see also St. Paul Fire, 526 F.3d at 1168-69.

As in St. Paul Fire, the Lexington/Allied insurance policies provided coverage to the real and personal property of Hyatt throughout the United States and Territories. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 16.] Weitz was also not named as an additional insured for purposes of any property located in Florida. [Dkt. No. 164 Pages 78.] Hence, because Iowa courts apply Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 188 in deciding choice-of-law questions in like circumstances, this Court must now apply the principles of § 188 to the present conflict to determine if Iowa’s choice-of-law principles favor Illinois or Florida law on the facts before the Court. See, e.g., Gabe’s Constr. Co., 539 N.W.2d at 146; see also Cole, 296 N.W.2d at 781.

4. Application of the Forum State’s Choice-of-Law Principles

This Court must take into account the contacts considered under Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 188(2), including: (a) the place of contracting; (b) the place of negotiation of the contract; (c)' the place of performance; (d) the location of the subject matter of the contract; and (e) the domicile, residence, nationality, place of incorporation and place of business of the parties. These contacts are to be evaluated according to their relative importance with respect to the particular issue.

a. Application of the Restatement (Second) Conflict of Laws Section 188 Factors

A review of the record, and an examination of the specific factors set forth in the Restatement, shows that Illinois has significant contacts to the transaction or dispute and the parties. Illinois law applies to this dispute.

Regarding factor (a), comment e of § 188 of the Restatement indicates that “the place of contracting is the place where occurred the last act necessary, under the forum’s rules of offer and acceptance, to give the contract binding effect, assuming, hypothetically, that the local law of the state where the act occurred rendered the contract binding.” Restatement (Second) Conflict of Laws § 188 cmt. e (1971); see also White v. Farmers Insurance Exchange, No. C96-1052, 1998 WL 34112764, at *4 (N.D.Iowa, Feb. 6, 1998). Here, Hyatt (the named insured), Hyatt’s insurance broker, and the Lexington/Allied underwriter for the insurance policies are all located in Illinois. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 16.] Moreover, Hyatt’s principle place of business is in Chicago, Illinois. [Dkt. No. 185 Page 94.] The insurance policies were negotiated, written, and delivered in Illinois. Therefore, the relevant parties reside in Illinois, and the last act necessary to create the contract was presumably in Illinois.

As regards factor (b), the place of negotiation is where the parties negotiate and agree on the terms of their contract. See Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 188 cmt. e (1971). Here, Weitz does not dispute that the contract between Hyatt, Hyatt’s insurance broker, and the Lexington/Allied underwriter for the insurance policies was negotiated in Illinois. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 16]; [Dkt. No. 156 Pages 13-14]; [Dkt. No. 185 Pages 99100.]

With reference to factor (c), the place of performance in an insurance contract is “the place where premiums are paid, absent some provision in the policy to the contrary.” White, 1998 WL 34112764, at 4* (citing Hartford Accident & Indemnity Co. v. Cooper Park Dev. Corp., 169 F.2d 803 (3d Cir.1948)). In this ease, the record indicates that the Midwestern Risk Specialists collected the premiums on the policies in Illinois, and delivered the policies to Hyatt’s broker in Illinois. [Dkt. No. 148-2 Page 8.] Moreover, as explained at the hearing on Defendants’ motions for summary judgment, the premiums are paid in Chicago, Illinois. [Dkt. No. 185 Page 94.]

As to factor (d), the situs of the subject matter of the contract is the state or states where a thing or risk is located. The situses of the subject matter of the Defendants’ policies are the United States and Territories where Hyatt’s properties are located. [Dkt. No. 185 Page 94.] The policies insured risks in many states, and therefore, no single insured location, or state, is the subject matter of the policies. However, the Court agrees with Lexington/Allied because the strongest connection is to Illinois, where the underwriter, broker, and insured are all located. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 16.]

Concerning factor (e), all of the places considered under factor (e) are places of enduring relationships to the parties. In the case at bar, the broker, underwriter, and insured all have their principal places of business in Chicago, Illinois. The principal place of business of each of the relevant Hyatt entities is also in Illinois, and the policies provide an Illinois location for the named insured. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 16.] After considering all the factors under § 188, this Court finds that Illinois has the most significant relationship with the transactions or dispute, parties, and contract involved.

This Court is unconvinced that the location of the underlying project, and the claimed damage in Florida outweigh the contacts with Illinois. The location of where a risk subsequently manifests into a claim has little to do with the risk’s principal location at the time the contract is entered into. See, e.g., White, 1998 WL 34112764, at *5-6 (finding that Colorado had the most significant relationship to the contract, even though the insured was injured in Iowa, and highlighting that the subject matter of the contract was located in Colorado at the time the insurance policy was purchased). Here, Lexington/Allied were insuring against the risk of injury to Hyatt’s real and personal property throughout the United States and Territories. The principal location of the risk at the time of contracting was not Florida. In fact, Weitz concedes the fact that “Lexington/Allied provided property insurance to Hyatt for numerous properties nationwide — covering hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars of construction and physical assets — on an annual basis.” [Dkt. No. 156 Page 24.]

Furthermore, Iowa courts place less weight on the location of an accident or claimed damage, and instead, rely on the place of contracting and the negotiation of the contract to determine choice-of-law questions. See Cole, 296 N.W.2d at 782 (finding that under Iowa’s choice-of-law rules, the most-significant relationship test favored the application of Minnesota law where the insurance policy was sold in a Minnesota transaction to a Minnesota resident by a Minnesota agent in order to establish an insurer-insured relationship in Minnesota, and although the case arose out of an accident that occurred in Minnesota, the court did not even consider the accident when identifying connections to Minnesota that required the application of Minnesota law under the Restatement).

Federal courts applying Iowa’s choice-of-law principles are in line with Iowa’s state courts’ decisions. See, e.g., Dethmers Mfg. Co., 23 F.Supp.2d at 1004 (finding under Iowa choice-of-law rules that a claim for a breach of an alleged contract to keep an invention confidential was governed by the law of Nebraska, which barred punitive damages, rather than by the law of Iowa, California, or Nevada, as the defendant was a Nebraska corporation, and negotiations and performance occurred primarily in Nebraska, and negotiations only incidentally began in California and terminated in Nevada); see also Woods Masonry, Inc., 198 F.Supp.2d at 1021 (finding that in applying Iowa’s “most significant relationship” test, even though the underlying accident occurred in Iowa, Arkansas had the most significant relationship because the policy at issue was formed in Arkansas, and the policyholder was domiciled in Arkansas); Northwestern Flyers, Inc. v. Olson Bros. Mfg. Co., Inc., 679 F.2d 1264, 1272 (8th Cir.1982) (finding that although a plane crash occurred in Montana, Nebraska had “the most significant relationship with the transaction in dispute and that Nebraska law should control any interpretation of the [insurance] policy provisions” as the parties entered into the insurance contract in Nebraska, and the insured was a Nebraska corporation). For the foregoing reasons, this Court must decide the unjust enrichment and contractual limitation provision issues based on Illinois’s substantive law.

B. The Release, Suit Limitations, and Notice of Loss Provisions in the Defendants’ Policies

A federal court sitting in diversity must apply state substantive law and federal procedural law. See Erie R. Co. v. Tompkins, 304 U.S. 64, 78, 58 S.Ct. 817, 82 L.Ed. 1188 (1938); see also Hanna v. Plumer, 380 U.S. 460, 465-66, 85 S.Ct. 1136, 14 L.Ed.2d 8 (1965). This Court interprets and applies Iowa’s substantive law to the matters where there is not a conflict of laws, including the release and the notice-of-loss provisions in Lexington/Allied’s insurance policies and Weitz’s equitable subrogation claim. See Weitz Co., 574 F.3d at 889-90; see also Modem Equip. Co. v. Cont’l W. Ins. Co., 355 F.3d 1125, 1128 n. 7 (8th Cir.2004) (“If there is not a true conflict between the laws ... on the pertinent issue, then no choiee-of-law is required”). As discussed above, this Court applies Illinois’s substantive law to the suit limitations provisions and unjust enrichment issues. See Am. Alliance, 165 F.3d at 560-61; see also Siegel, 612 F.3d at 937.

Initially this Court addresses the release Hyatt gave Lexington/Allied in November 2005. Then it considers the effect of the Defendants’ suit limitations and notice-of-loss provisions in their insurance policies. Any claim, security, or remedy that the subrogee, Weitz, acquires from the subrogor, Hyatt, “is taken subject to the limitations, burdens and disqualifications incident to them in the hands of the party to whom the subrogee is subrogated.” Central Nat’l Ins. Co. v. Insurance Co. of N. Am., 522 N.W.2d 39, 44 (Iowa 1994). “[S]uch claim, security, and remedy are subject to any defenses that might have been urged against the party to whom the subrogee is subrogated.” Id.; see also Wilson v. Farm Bureau Mut. Ins. Co., 770 N.W.2d 324, 328 (Iowa 2009) (finding that a subrogee’s rights are “subject to all defenses the [third party] could assert against the [subrogor]”); Allied Mut. Ins. Co. v. Heiken, 675 N.W.2d 820, 825 (Iowa 2004). Therefore, in bringing an equitable subrogation claim, Weitz is subject to all the conditions, limitations, and defenses that would have applied to a claim by Hyatt against the Defendants. Weitz is not safeguarded from the defenses and limitations in Defendants’ insurance policies because Weitz is proceeding in equity.

Next, Weitz’s underlying equitable subrogation claim is reviewed along with its claim for an unpaid contract balance totaling $4,963,404.18 allegedly owed by Lexington/Allied. Finally, in applying Illinois law, this Court finds that because Weitz’s equitable subrogation claim fails as matter of law, its unjust enrichment claim also fails as a matter of law. For these reasons, this Court grants Defendants’ motions for summary judgment on all of Weitz’s claims.

1. Legal Standards

The construction of an unambiguous release or settlement agreement is a question of law, which this Court may determine without the intervention of a jury. See PMX Industries, Inc. v. LEP Profit International, 31 F.3d 701, 703 (8th Cir. 1994) (applying Iowa law and finding summary judgment appropriate where a release was unambiguous); see also Builders Kitchen and Supply Co. v. Moyer, 776 N.W.2d 112, *2 (Iowa App.2009) (unpublished table decision) (citing Daggett v. Nebraska-Eastern Express, Inc., 252 Iowa 341,107 N.W.2d 102,108 (1961)).

The construction of the provisions of an insurance policy, such as suit limitations provisions, is a question of law. See Outboard Marine Corp. v. Liberty Mutual Ins. Co., 154 Ill.2d 90, 180 Ill.Dec. 691, 607 N.E.2d 1204, 1212 (1992); see also Hoover v. Country Mut. Ins. Co., 363 Ill.Dec. 612, 975 N.E.2d 638, 646 (Ill.App.Ct.2012). Even though waiver of a suit limitations period and estoppel are normally questions for the trier of fact, Lee v. Ohio Casualty Ins. Co., 58 Ill.App.3d 1, 15 Ill.Dec. 555, 373 N.E.2d 1027, 1031 (1978), it does not mean that summary judgment is never appropriate. See Florsheim v. Travelers Indemnity Co., 75 Ill.App.3d 298, 30 Ill.Dec. 876, 393 N.E.2d 1223, 1228 (1979) (citing Doll v. Farmers Automobile Ins. Association, 54 Ill.App.3d 868, 12 Ill.Dec. 635, 370 N.E.2d 258, 261 (1977)).

The timeliness of notification to the insurer is ordinarily a question of fact. See Grinnell Mut. Reins. Co., 654 N.W.2d at 542. However, when the insured has unreasonably and inexcusably delayed in providing notice, the notice can be untimely as a matter of law. See A.Y. McDonald Indus., Inc. v. Insurance Co. of N. Am., 842 F.Supp. 1166, 1177 (N.D.Iowa 1993), aff'd, 48 F.3d 1223 (8th Cir.1995) (unpublished table decision).

2. The Release and the 2004 Damage to the Care Center

Under Iowa law, “[a] release or settlement agreement is a contract, and is construed under the legal principles applicable to the construction and interpretation of contracts.” PMX Industries, Inc., 31 F.3d at 703 (applying Iowa law and affirming summary judgment based on a general release) (citing Amana Refrigeration v. Pidgeon’s Furniture & Appliance Stores Inc., 883 F.2d 657, 658 (8th Cir. 1989)). Iowa’s Supreme Court has explained that it “interprets] settlement agreements according to the intent of the parties as determined by the terms of the release.” State v. Klawonn, 688 N.W.2d 271, 275 (Iowa 2004) (citing Waits v. United Fire & Cas. Co., 572 N.W.2d 565, 572 (Iowa 1997)). There is no requirement that each promise in an agreement containing multiple promises is to be supported by separate consideration. See PMX Industries, Inc., 31 F.3d at 704 (citing Matter of Estate of Claussen, 482 N.W.2d 381, 383 (Iowa 1992)). The forbearance to press a claim, or a promise of such forbearance, constitutes sufficient consideration if the claimant is asserting the claim in good faith. See Dyer v. National By-Products, Inc., 380 N.W.2d 732, 734 (Iowa 1986).

a. Summary of the Arguments Regarding the Release

This Court next addresses whether enforcing a November 2005 settlement agreement between Lexington/Allied and Hyatt (which precludes Weitz from pursuing a claim against Lexington/Allied) is inequitable.

Lexington/Allied contend that Weitz’s care center claim fails as a matter of law because Hyatt gave Lexington/Allied a release in 2005 which bars Weitz’s claim as to the 2004 care center damage. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 25.] Because Hyatt discharged Lexington/Allied from future liability in 2005, Lexington/Allied argue, Hyatt does not have an insurance claim under the Lexington/Allied insurance policies for the care center. Therefore, Weitz’s derivative claim is barred because of this settlement agreement. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Pages 2829.]

In reply, Weitz argues that Lexington/Allied “coercfed] a minimal settlement [with Hyatt] and forc[ed] the pursuit of claims against Weitz [by Hyatt] instead.” [Dkt. No. 156 Page 26.] According to Weitz, the agreement between Lexington/Allied and Hyatt for $750,000 did not reflect the actual damage to the care center, which Weitz alleges was $11.5 million. Weitz further contends that the November 2005 agreement cannot bar Weitz’s care center claim because Weitz brings a claim “in equity” for damages that should have been recovered under the Lexington/Allied insurance policies originally. Weitz makes the argument that enforcing the November agreement between Lexington/Allied and Hyatt “would be inequitable ... and a violation of public policy.” [Dkt. No. 156 Page 26.]

b. Analysis of the Arguments Regarding the Release

The general release that was negotiated between Hyatt and Lexington/Allied on November 2, 2005 states that Lexington/Allied is released from further liability for “any and all claims, demands [or] actions ... arising from any act or occurrence” up to the November 2, 2005 release date. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 27.] As Lexington/Allied note in their brief, “Hyatt also specifically settled and gave the insurers a release for ‘property damage, loss or other damages of any kind sustained or that [Hyatt] may hereinafter sustain as a consequence of the claims submitted under [Lexington Policy No.] 1282118 and [Allied World Policy No.] AW1282118 and assigned Claim Nos. 030-175065 and 648-00632,’ and released Lexington/Allied from any further liability with respect to that specific Care Center claim.” [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 27.] (emphasis added).

Weitz’s arguments are without merit. The plain language of the release that was signed by Hyatt in 2005 indicates that any claims against Lexington/Allied are not cognizable. The releases that Lexington/Allied secured were general releases. See PMX Industries, Inc., 31 F.3d at 703. There was also sufficient consideration for the settlement agreement because Hyatt received $750,000 from Lexington/Allied in exchange for Hyatt’s promise to forbear pressing any claims against Lexington/Allied. See Dyer, 380 N.W.2d at 734. There is no indication from the record that Lexington/Allied secured the releases through “unethical behavior,” “strong-arming,” or by threats not to renew Hyatt’s insurance program, or that Lexington/Allied “foisted [] liability on Weitz.” [Dkt. No. 156 Pages 22, 24, 25.]

Indeed, Weitz puts forth scant evidence to support the claim that Lexington/Allied acted “unethically.” The fact that Lexington’s Senior Claim Examiners “conceded that he had never before seen (and would not personally condone)” Lexington/Allied linking their insurance renewal offer with their settlement offer to Hyatt proves little. [Dkt. No. 156 Page 24.] Sophisticated counsel represented Hyatt and Lexington/Allied. The parties had sufficiently equal bargaining power, and there is no evidence that Hyatt was coerced into making an agreement with Lexington/Allied. This Court is aware of the fact that insurance companies often face the same “threats” from owners of businesses or companies who shop around for new insurance companies at the time for renewal. [Dkt. No. 185 Page 60.] Hence, the evidence is not such that a reasonable jury could find that Hyatt entered the 2005 settlement agreement because Lexington/Allied coerced Hyatt. Rather, as Lexington/Allied assert, “[T]here is no evidence showing that this settlement [between Lexington/Allied and Hyatt] was anything other than a voluntary, binding negotiation and compromise.” [Dkt. No. 164 Page 12.]

Because Weitz is asserting a right of equitable subrogation through its alleged subrogor, Hyatt, it can enforce only the rights that Hyatt could enforce directly. See United States v. United Services Auto. Ass’n, 238 F.2d 364, 366 (8th Cir.1956) (quoting United States v. Munsey Trust Co., 332 U.S. 234, 242, 67 S.Ct. 1599, 91 L.Ed. 2022 (1947)) (“The subrogee stands in the place of one whose claim he has paid, ‘It is elementary that one cannot acquire by subrogation what another whose rights he claims did not have.’ A [subrogee] can take nothing by subrogation except such rights as the [subrogor] had”); see also Grinnell Mut. Reinsurance Co. v. Recker, 561 N.W.2d 63, 69 (Iowa 1997). Hyatt settled “any kind ” of claim against Lexington/Allied and released Lexington/Allied from liability regarding the care center property. Therefore, Weitz is barred from making any claims with regards to damage to the care center in 2004.

3. Contractual Limitations Provisions and the Damage to the Care Center and Towers

Illinois case law establishes that insurance policies may validly set forth contractual limitations requiring suit to be brought within a specified period of time. See Florsheim, 30 Ill.Dec. 876, 393 N.E.2d at 1228. For instance, it has been held that insurance contracts may validly provide for a one-year or two-year limitations period within which to bring suit thereon against an insurer. See Lauren Rein v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Ins. Co., 407 Ill.App.3d 969, 348 Ill.Dec. 787, 945 N.E.2d 94, 97 (2011) (two-year limitations period); see also Garcia v. Metropolitan Property and Cas. Ins. Co., 281 Ill.App.3d 368, 217 Ill.Dec. 133, 666 N.E.2d 802, 803 (1996) (one-year limitations period).

Compliance with the contractual limitations provisions is a condition precedent to recovery under a policy of insurance. See Hoover, 363 Ill.Dec. 612, 975 N.E.2d at 646; see also Cramer v. Insurance Exchange Agency, 174 Ill.2d 513, 221 Ill.Dec. 473, 675 N.E.2d 897, 906 (1996); Foamcraft, Inc. v. First State Ins. Co., 238 Ill.App.3d 791, 179 Ill.Dec. 705, 606 N.E.2d 537, 539 (1992). The Illinois Supreme Court has noted that there are “strong reasons” to impose suit limitation provisions because of the great difficulty in investigating and preparing a defense for losses following a great lapse of time. See Peoria Marine & Fire Ins. Co. v. White-hill, 25 Ill. 466, *7 (Ill.1861). Absent a statute to the contrary, contractual limitations provisions are as a general rule enforceable. See also Affiliated FM Ins. Co. v. Board of Educ. of City of Chicago, 23 F.3d 1261, 1264 (7th Cir.1994) (applying Illinois law). “A limitation period is enforceable even though the claim was meritorious and the insurer should have paid it; unless the insurer because of its conduct waives or is estopped from relying on the bar.” Florsheim, 30 Ill.Dec. 876, 393 N.E.2d at 1229.

a. Summary of the Arguments Regarding the Suit Limitations Provisions

The controversy here concerns the enforce