Founders Insurance total loss tax, title fees class action lawsuit settlement

Founders Insurance has settled a class action lawsuit that will reimburse Ohio policyholders’ sales tax and title fees for those who claimed a total loss on their vehicle. 

Class members are all those who were insured by Founders under an Ohio automobile insurance policy covering a vehicle with auto physical damage coverage for comprehensive or collision loss and who submitted a first-party claim where the vehicle was declared a total loss Nov. 13, 2012, through April 7, 2022.

Plaintiff Yolanda Landrum’s November 2020 lawsuit, filed in common pleas court in Hamilton County, Ohio, claimed Founders was required under its policies to pay sales tax and title and tag fees for Ohio insureds who submitted claims for total-loss physical damage.

The settlement requires Founders Insurance to pay sales tax at the average rate — 7.116% — paid during the class period, title transfer fees of $15 and tag transfer fees of $4.50. 

Founders Insurance Co. is headquartered in Chicago. According to its website, its surplus exceeds $60 million, its writings exceed $100 million and it employs roughly 200 people in five states.

Attorneys’ fees, service awards and other expenses are being awarded separately.

Founders denies wrongdoing and claims it acted in accordance with all relevant policies, laws and contracts, but has agreed to the settlement to avoid the risk and cost of continuing litigation.

In order to be paid, all claimants must complete a claim form and submit it either by mail or on the settlement website. 

A final approval hearing is scheduled for Aug. 11, 2022.

The opt-out and objection deadline passed on July 12, 2022.

The claim deadline in the Founders Insurance lawsuit settlement is Aug. 26, 2022.

Who’s Eligible

Class members are all those who were insured by Founders under an Ohio automobile insurance policy covering a vehicle with auto physical damage coverage for comprehensive or collision loss and who submitted a first-party claim where the vehicle was declared a total loss Nov. 13, 2012, through April 7, 2022.

Potential Award

Varies.

Proof of Purchase

Claim ID

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

08/26/2022

Case Name

Morris v. Founders Insurance Company, Case No. A-2003986, in the Court of Common Pleas of Hamilton County, OhioCase Name Text

Final Hearing

08/11/2022

Settlement Website

FoundersInsuranceTotalLossSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Morris v Founders Insurance Company
PO Box 25412
Santa Ana, CA 92799
866-605-2145

Class Counsel

Stuart E Scott Esq
Kevin C Hulick Esq
SPANGENBERG SHIBLEY & LIBER LLP

Andrew J Shamis Esq
SHAMIS & GENTILE PA

Scott Edelsberg Esq
EDELSBERG LAW PA

Defense Counsel

Jason P. Conte