Permanent General Assurance unearned premiums $2.7M class action settlement

Permanent General Assurance (PGAC) agreed to a $2.7 million settlement to resolve claims it failed to refund unearned premiums in the case of voluntary cancellations.

The settlement benefits Florida residents who were issued an automotive insurance policy through Permanent General Assurance, who had their policies canceled at the insured’s request and who paid a premium that was held by Permanent General despite being unearned by the effective cancellation date between Jan. 25, 2016, and April 11, 2022. Permanent General’s records will be used to validate class member eligibility.

Permanent General Assurance operates The General Insurance company, which offers liability, collision, comprehensive and full automotive insurance coverage. The company also offers a range of other insurance products, such as life insurance.

According to a class action lawsuit, Permanent General Assurance fails to refund consumers for unearned premiums after they cancel their policies. Plaintiffs in the case say they voluntarily canceled their auto insurance policies with The General after paying premiums. Despite canceling these policies, Permanent General allegedly retained the majority of unearned premiums paid by plaintiffs and similar customers.

“The business practice as described herein was implemented by Permanent General to obtain additional profits and revenues at the expense of an unsuspecting and intentionally targeted segment of ‘non-standard’ automobile insurance consumers,” the class action lawsuit contends.

Plaintiffs in the case sought full refunds for their unearned premiums and refunds for similarly situated customers.

Permanent General Assurance hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to a $2.7 million class action settlement to resolve these claims.

Under the terms of the PGAC settlement, class members can receive a settlement check worth 105% of the amount they should have been refunded for short-rate cancellation. 

Exact payments will vary depending on the amount each class member was owed in a refund. If class members previously received partial refunds, they will only receive the difference between what was refunded and the total settlement payment amount calculated by the settlement administrator.

Uncashed settlement checks may revert back to Permanent General if not cashed within 180 days of issuance. 

The deadline for exclusion is Nov. 19, 2022. The deadline for objection is Dec. 19, 2022. 

The final approval hearing for the Permanent General Assurance settlement is scheduled for Jan. 20, 2023.

In order to receive settlement benefits, class members must submit a valid claim form by Feb. 20, 2023. Class members are only required to submit one claim form, even if they held multiple eligible policies with Permanent General.

Who’s Eligible

Florida residents who were issued an automotive insurance policy through Permanent General Assurance, who had their policies canceled at the insured’s request and who paid a premium that was held by Permanent General despite being unearned by the effective cancellation date between Jan. 25, 2016, and April 11, 2022. Permanent General’s records will be used to validate class member eligibility.

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

No proof of purchase applicable

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

02/20/2023

Case Name

Final Hearing

01/20/2023

Settlement Website

ShortRateCancellationSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

PGAC Settlement Administrator
1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Info@ShortRateCancellationSettlement.com
855-307-4277

Class Counsel

R Brent Irby
IRBY LAW LLC

Jordan A Shaw
Zachary D Ludens
ZEBERSKY PAYNE SHAW LEWENZ

J Matthew Stephens
James M Terrell
Courtney C Gipson
METHVIN TERRELL YANCEY STEPHENS & MILLER PC

Defense Counsel

Reginald J Clyne
Audrey-Jade Salbo
QUINTAIROS PRIETO WOOD & BOYER PA