citizens_insurance_logo_web.jpgTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) _ An appeals court says a decision on whether state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. is immune from lawsuits alleging bad-faith practices is a matter of timing.

A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal on Wednesday said it's question of great public importance for the Florida Supreme Court to answer.

The question is whether the immunity issue should be decided before or after a lawsuit against Florida's largest property insurer goes to trial.

A two-judge majority says the immunity decision should wait until after the case is tried.

A dissenting judge and another appeals court say the immunity issue should be decided before trial. They also say that decision should be that Citizens is immune from bad faith claims.