Allianz Global Assistance (AGA) travel protection $19.75M class action settlement

Allianz Global Assistance (AGA) agreed to a $19.75 million class action lawsuit settlement to resolve claims that it charged an illegal assistance fee on travel and event protection plans offered through airline carriers and event ticket sellers.

The AGA class action settlement benefits California and Washington purchasers of certain travel and event ticket insurance plans Allianz offers.

The California class includes California residents who purchased one or more qualifying travel and/or event protection plans between Sept. 4, 2016, and Sept. 30, 2023, for a trip or event within California.

The Washington class includes Washington residents who purchased one or more qualifying travel and/or event protection plans between April 2, 2018, and Sept. 30, 2023, for a trip or event within Washington.

According to the class action lawsuit, Allianz charged an illegal fee for “non-insurance assistance services” that was deceptively hidden from consumers at checkout. Plaintiffs claim these fees violated both California and Washington consumer protection laws.

Allianz Global Assistance offers travel insurance policies and other travel-related services.

AGA hasn’t admitted wrongdoing but agreed to pay an undisclosed sum as part of a settlement to resolve the class action lawsuit.

Under the settlement terms, class members can receive up to 75% of the assistance fees they paid as part of their Allianz travel or event protection plan(s). Compensation amounts will vary depending on when the plans were purchased. 

Plans purchased by California class members between Sept. 4, 2016, and July 31, 2019, or by Washington class members between April 2, 2018, and April 7, 2020, will result in 75% refunds. 

Plans purchased by California class members between Aug. 1, 2019, and Sept. 30, 2023, or by Washington class members between April 8 and Sept. 30, 2020, will result in 40% refunds. 

Claimants who purchased multiple plans in different periods may receive differing compensation rates for each plan.

Class members could receive up to double their projected refund amounts depending on the number of claims filed. 

For example, instead of receiving 75% refunds, class members could receive 150% refunds. Similarly, 40% refunds could be doubled to 80% refunds. However, this is not guaranteed, and if a large number of claims are filed, refunds could be reduced below the expected refund amount.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Jan. 25, 2024.

The final approval hearing for the AGA class action lawsuit settlement is scheduled for Feb. 22, 2024.

In order to receive settlement benefits, class members must submit a valid claim form by Jan. 25, 2024. 

Who’s Eligible

California class: California residents who purchased one or more qualifying travel and/or event protection plans between Sept. 4, 2016, and Sept. 30, 2023, for a trip or event within California.

Washington class: Washington residents who purchased one or more qualifying travel and/or event protection plans between April 2, 2018, and Sept. 30, 2023, for a trip or event within Washington.

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

N/A

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

01/25/2024

Case Name

Eligindy, et al. v. AGA Service Co., et al., Case No. 4:20-cv-06304-JST, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Tasakos v. AGA Service Co., et al., Case No. 2:22-cv-00433-RSM, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Final Hearing

02/22/2024

Settlement Website

AssistanceFeeSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Assistance Fee Settlement Administrator
1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210
Philadelphia, PA19103
844-665-0015

Class Counsel

Seth A Safier
GUTRIDE SAFIER LLP

Defense Counsel

Gayle I Jenkins
WINSTON & STRAWN LLP

Anthony Todaro
DLA PIPER LLP