Tag: consumer rights

How a Policyholder Took on USAA in Court and Won Big

Logan B.
USAA in Court

A Shocking Decision: $100 Million in Punitive Damages, $14 Million in Compensatory Damages Insurance giant USAA has landed in the spotlight after a Nevada jury handed down a monumental $114 million verdict in a bad faith lawsuit. The award, which includes $100 million in punitive damages and $14 million in compensatory damages, arose from its handling of a claim for policyholder Timothy Kuhn following a car accident in 2018. The jury’s decision underscores a growing tension between insurers’ claims-handling practices and their legal obligations to their customers, raising questions about…

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37 Insurers Slapped with $20M in Insurance Fines for Breaking New York’s Reporting Rules

G. Turner
Insurance Fines

New York State Fines Auto Insurers $20 Million Over Reporting Failures The New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) has handed down $20 million in fines to 37 auto insurers for failing to report new and terminated insurance policies in a timely manner. This enforcement move, announced recently, comes after years of warnings from state regulators about ongoing reporting failures. While the fines aim to improve compliance, the case has raised important questions about outdated reporting systems, consumer protection, and accountability. Why Timely Reporting Matters for Drivers When you…

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Liberty Mutual to Refund Louisiana Homeowners Over Assessment Overcharges

H. Cutner
Liberty Mutual refund

Why Louisiana Homeowners Deserve Answers If you’re one of the 138,000 Louisiana residents insured by Liberty Mutual, you may soon see a small refund coming your way. For four years, the insurance giant overcharged policyholders for the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. assessment. This surcharge is intended to help homeowners who cannot find coverage on the private insurance market due to natural disaster risks, but errors in Liberty Mutual’s calculations left many consumers paying more than they should have. The overcharges, which total about $4 million, might not break the…

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Insurance News – NYDFS Cracks Down on Insurers with $20.4M in Fines for Reporting Failures

Nordstrom
NYDFS Cracks Down on Insurers

NYDFS Cracks Down on Insurers with $20.4M in Fines for Reporting Failures The New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) has taken significant action against car insurance providers, resulting in $20.4 million in fines due to widespread compliance failures. After a lengthy investigation, regulators called out several major insurers for not submitting vehicle coverage reports to the DMV within the required timeframes, a critical process for maintaining consumer protection and state records. This enforcement sends a clear signal to the industry about the importance of following regulations and highlights…

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Texas Slaps Allstate Owned Arity with Privacy Violation Notice

Angela Linders
Allstate data privacy violation

Texas Attorney General Accuses Arity of Violating Data Privacy Laws Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has issued a notice of violation to Arity, a data broker owned by Allstate, for allegedly failing to comply with the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA). The notice, sent on November 29 and later made public, accuses Arity of failing to clearly notify consumers about the types of data it gathers and processes. It also claims the company sold sensitive data without user consent, raising concerns about privacy and ethical use of personal…

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State Farm Faces Setback as Class Action Lawsuit Progresses in Federal Court

John Bowers
State Farm Lawsuit Advances

State Farm Lawsuit Advances After Motion to Dismiss Denied In a significant legal development, U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall has denied State Farm’s motion to dismiss a class action lawsuit, allowing the case to proceed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The lawsuit accuses the insurance giant of systematically undervaluing and underpaying policyholders for totaled vehicles, raising concerns among policyholders and industry analysts alike. Challenges to State Farm’s Valuation Methods and Practices The lawsuit, originally filed in March 2022, challenges State Farm’s vehicle valuation methods,…

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Maryland Insurance Professionals Face Stricter Standards

H. Cutner
Maryland Insurance Professionals Face Stricter Standards

Protecting Maryland Consumers: A Closer Look at Stricter Penalties Starting October 1, consumers in Maryland will witness the implementation of more stringent penalties for unauthorized insurance activities. These legislative changes, introduced by the Maryland Insurance Administration, aims to protect consumers from fraudulent practices while ensuring that insurance professionals uphold the highest standards. Unauthorized Insurer Fines Soar: The fines for unauthorized insurers have substantially increased, with penalties rising from $50,000 to a maximum of $125,000. Higher Penalties for Dishonest Practices: Insurance producers and public adjusters indulging in dishonest or incompetent practices…

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