View this article online: https://www.claimsjournal.com/news/southcentral/2004/09/16/45929.htm
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott announced court-approved settlements with two major auto insurers that he says will result in refund more than $3.4 million to Texas policyholders who paid more out of pocket on claims for auto repairs in certain years than their policies required.
Progressive County Mutual Insurance Co. agreed to pay $2.35 million, including interest, in refunds to about 11,000 policyholders who had repair claims from January 1996 through May 1999.
Old American County Mutual Fire Insurance Co. will pay refunds of $1.07 million to an estimated 4,500 policyholders. This refund period covers claims for vehicle repairs from January 1996 to September 2001. Any Old American policyholder who believes he or she may be entitled to a refund under this settlement may request a claim form by calling (866) 233-7091 (ext. 970), or 214/561-1970.
“Consumers who made legitimate vehicle insurance claims following traffic accidents have expectations that they will be treated fairly,” Attorney General Abbott said. “Likewise, they deserve refunds from companies that used deceptive means to take money from them through such schemes as this. That’s not the way the standard auto policies in Texas work, and I’m seeing to it that these companies return money to these consumers.”
The companies, along with others in the industry, engaged in the unlawful practice known as “betterment,” in which they claimed that the use of better or newer parts to repair the vehicle increased its value. Companies then charged the amount of this supposed “increased value” to the policyholders, thus reducing the amount the company paid for the repairs. Policyholders were then forced to make up the difference, in addition to their deductible, to the repair shop.
The Attorney General has successfully settled 17 betterment cases since 2000, alleging that insurance companies merely increased the value of the replaced part, and not the entire vehicle. Texas law does not permit such a charge or deduction, and auto insurance policies require that the companies fully pay for the repair, less the deductible, even if the parts used were better than the ones they replaced.
Under the terms of the agreement, the companies, which have stopped the practice, agreed not to engage in this practice and will refund the total amount of overcharges, plus interest, to customers who had auto repair claims involving betterment deductions in the periods described. Eligible policyholders who have not yet been identified will be mailed a claim form in the coming months by these companies.
Since 2000, the Texas Attorney General’s office has obtained betterment settlements with Home State County Mutual Insurance Co., Consumers County Mutual Insurance Co., Farmers, Texas Farm Bureau, Trinity, State Farm, Nationwide, USAA, Geico, Travelers, Safeco, Sentry, Liberty Mutual, Allstate and CNA for an estimated $16.4 million in total auto repair refunds to date. Two lawsuits against State and County Mutual Insurance Co. and Maryland Casualty Insurance Co. are pending.