AGA Service $19.75M Settlement for Deceptive Insurance Fees

Are you a California or Washington resident who purchased an Allianz Global Assistance Travel and Event Protection Plan between September 4, 2016, and September 30, 2023? If so, you may be eligible for a cash payment from a class action settlement. This settlement aims to resolve allegations that the plan prices, which included both insurance premiums and Assistance Fees for non-insurance assistance services, were unlawfully, unfairly, and deceptively priced.

Who Benefits?: California and Washington purchasers of certain travel insurance plans and event ticket insurance plans during the specified period.

How much can I get?: A percentage of the Assistance Fees paid, ranging from 40% to 75% depending on the purchase date, with potential adjustments.

Important Dates

• Final Approval Hearing: February 22, 2024, at 2:00 PM PST
• Deadline to File a Claim: January 25, 2024

Who Are the Class Members?

Class Members refer to those who offered a billing address in California or Washington when purchasing a qualifying plan, or if no billing address was directly supplied, the plan identified the owner as having an address in these states. The Settlement aims to compensate those affected by the inclusion of Assistance Fees in the plan prices.

• Qualifying California Travel and/or Event Protection Plans
• Qualifying Washington Travel and/or Event Protection Plans

Excluded from the Class are employees of Defendants, those who received a full refund, and those for whom AGA documented an assistance case for each purchased plan.

Understanding the Settlement Awards

Class Members who submit a valid claim can receive a Cash Payment calculated as a percentage of the Assistance Fees included in their plan price. The percentage varies based on when the plan was purchased, with earlier purchases potentially receiving a higher percentage of the Assistance Fees back. The Settlement Agreement outlines the specific percentages and potential adjustments.

• Plans purchased by California class members between September 4, 2016, and July 31, 2019, or by Washington class members between April 2, 2018, and April 7, 2020, will result in 75% refunds, with a potential increase of up to 150%
• Plans purchased by California class members between Aug. 1, 2019, and Sept. 30, 2023, or by Washington class members between April 8, 2020, and September 30, 2020, will result in 40% refunds, with a potential increase up to 80%

The Subject of the Settlement

The Settlement addresses the inclusion of Assistance Fees in the total price of Allianz Global Assistance Travel and Event Protection Plans sold during the specified period. These fees were for non-insurance assistance services bundled with the insurance coverage.

• Qualifying California Travel and/or Event Protection Plans
• Qualifying Washington Travel and/or Event Protection Plans

Is Proof Required to Claim the Reward?

To claim the Cash Payment, Class Members must submit a Claim Form with sufficient information to verify their eligibility.

How to Claim Your Award

To claim your award, complete the Claim Form available on the official settlement website. You can submit your claim online or print and mail it to the Settlement Administrator. All claims must be postmarked or submitted online by January 25, 2024.

For those who believe they are eligible but have not received a direct notice, it is essential to review the eligibility criteria on the settlement website and submit a claim if applicable.

Analyzing the Settlement Amount

The Settlement creates a common fund of $19.75 million to be distributed among eligible Class Members. The amount each Class Member will receive depends on the number of valid claims submitted and the total Assistance Fees paid by each claimant.

The Settlement Agreement provides a detailed breakdown of the payment calculations and potential adjustments based on the total number of claims and the funds available.

Why Is There a Class Action Settlement?

The Settlement resolves the litigation without the need for a trial, providing a fair and efficient resolution for Class Members. It compensates those who may have been affected by the alleged unfair pricing practices while avoiding the costs and uncertainties associated with continued litigation.

With the Settlement now reaching the final approval stage, Class Members who have submitted claims can expect to receive their Cash Payments following the Final Approval Hearing, assuming no appeals are filed.