Liberty Mutual Diminished Value Claims Settlement

If you had a Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company or LM General Insurance Company auto insurance policy in Washington and received payment for vehicle damage caused by an accident on or after November 7, 2016, you may be eligible to claim a payment from a class action settlement.

Liberty Mutual has agreed to pay $571,200 to settle a class action lawsuit for allegedly failing to compensate for diminished value of vehicles after accidents.

Who can file a claim?

To be part of the settlement, you must meet the following criteria:

• You had your vehicle repaired under the UIM PD provision of a Washington auto policy.
• The accident occurred between November 7, 2016, and July 19, 2024.
• The repair estimate, including supplements, was at least $1,000, and the amount paid for physical damage was at least $1,000.
• Your vehicle was no more than six years old and had less than 90,000 miles at the time of the accident.
• Your vehicle suffered structural damage, deformed sheet metal, or required body or paint work.

How much can class members get?

The settlement fund of $571,200 will be distributed among class members who submit valid claims. Each class member's payment will depend on their vehicle repair costs. The payment is calculated by taking the portion of the settlement payable to class members and multiplying it by the fraction of the class member's individual repair costs to the class's total repair costs.

For example, if the total repair costs for all class members are $1,000,000 and your repair costs were $5,000, your share of the settlement would be calculated as follows:

• Your share = ($571,200 - attorneys’ fees and costs) \* ($5,000 / $1,000,000)

This means your payment could vary based on the total claims submitted and the attorneys' fees deducted.

How to claim an award

To claim an award, you must submit a claim form by February 3, 2025. You can file a claim online or mail your claim form to:

Redmond/Dowds v. Liberty Mutual

Settlement Administrator

P.O. Box 301172

Los Angeles, CA 90030-1172

Make sure your claim form is postmarked by the deadline.

Claim instructions

1. Obtain your claim number and PIN from the notice you received.
2. Visit the settlement website to file a claim online.
3. Fill out the claim form with your information and submit it.
4. Alternatively, download the claim form, print it, fill it out, and mail it to the address provided.

Payment methods

Class members will receive payments via check mailed to their address on file.

$571,200 Settlement fund

The settlement fund of $571,200 will cover:

• Payments to class members who submit valid claims.
• Attorneys’ fees up to 25% of the settlement fund.
• Costs not to exceed $9,102.62.
• Service awards of up to $7,500 for each class representative.

Important dates

• Fairness Hearing: December 20, 2024
• Deadline to File a Claim: February 3, 2025

When is the Redmond/Dowds v. Liberty Mutual payout date?

The court will hold a Fairness Hearing on December 20, 2024, to decide whether to approve the settlement. If approved, payments will be distributed after resolving any appeals.

Why was there a class action settlement?

The lawsuit alleged that Liberty Mutual and LM General Insurance Company failed to compensate for the diminished value of vehicles after accidents, which was claimed to be a breach of their insurance contracts. The defendants denied wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid the costs and uncertainties of litigation.