Florida federal court Judge Paul G. Byron preliminarily approved a $27 million settlement in a class action alleging that more than 250,000 Geico customers had been underpaid by the insurance provider. The alleged claims arose from customers who filed insurance claims with Geico for damaged cars declared “totaled” who were denied coverage for approximately $80 in fees when registering a new vehicle. The lawsuit alleged that transferring a title in Florida costs $75.25 and switching tags costs $4.10—both required under state law in order to register a vehicle. The settlement also obligated Geico to amend its policies and pay all title transfer and licensing fees in any actual cash value claim for a “totaled” car in Florida.

The certified class consists of Florida residents insured for private passenger auto physical damage coverage by Geico, who suffered a first-party total loss of a covered, owned vehicle at any time from 2012 to April 2019. The settlement excludes leased vehicles insured by Geico.

The case is Sullivan et al. v. Government Employees Insurance Co., case no. 6:17-cv-00891 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

This blog is intended to provide information to the general public and to practitioners about developments that may impact Oregon class actions.