Thanks to a recent order you will soon see a refund from your car insurance carrier. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has ordered carriers to return premiums for at least the months of March and April and possibly May for insurance lines where the risk of loss has fallen due to COVID-19. Some insurance companies previously announced refunds and this order moves those from voluntary to mandatory. The order includes some forms of business insurance including workers compensation, commercial liability and even medical malpractice.
Collisions on California roadways have fallen precipitously between March 1 and April 12, 2020 compared to the same level in 2019 according to the CHP. In the Bay Area the drop was 48% and fatal collisions dropped to just 1 from 22 last year! Statewide collisions are down 43% and fatal collisions statewide have dropped by 84%. The Consumer Federation of America assigned grades to companies who voluntarily announced refunds with State Farm earning and “A” grade and GEICO earning a “D-” grade.
Consumer groups have challenged the refunds being as low as they are. The average voluntary refund is 26% and with collisions down by 43% statewide and fatalities down by 84% statewide they would expect the refund to be in the 39% to 67% range. Drivers should contact their insurance company to see if they are due a larger discount based on the actual mileage they drive.
We represent people who are injured because of the careless and reckless acts of others. At the end of the day your case can only be settled one time and you need to know all of the facts beforehand. The reason that insurance companies have paid our clients in excess of $130,000,000.00 is that we get the facts and are not intimidated at the prospect of going to trial when they refuse to follow the law. We help with serious issues that require serious representation. We are the Law Offices of Guenard & Bozarth. We have almost 60 years of experience in our plaintiff’s only law firm. Call GB Legal 24/7/365 at 888-809-1075 or visit www.gblegal.com We Can Help!
