ATLANTA, Jan. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Court has preliminarily
approved a settlement between Allstate and plaintiffs in the Georgia case of
Earl v. Allstate. The Court has certified a Settlement Class defined as
follows:
The class is defined as: All persons insured under a Georgia personal
lines automobile insurance policy issued by Allstate Insurance Company or
Allstate Indemnity Company who reported valid property damage claims for
vehicle damage under that policy's collision or comprehensive coverages,
which loss occurred between January 18, 1995 and December 5, 2001, and all
persons insured under a Georgia personal lines automobile insurance policy
issued by Allstate Insurance Company or Allstate Indemnity Company who
reported valid property damage claims for vehicle damage under that
policy's uninsured motorist coverage, which loss occurred between January
18, 1997 and December 5, 2001, but excluding claims resulting in total
losses, claims relating to non-owned or temporary substitute vehicles,
claims limited to (a) glass repair or replacement, (b) tire replacement,
or (c) sound systems repair or replacement, or any combination of (a), (b)
or (c) only, claims confined to emergency roadside assistance or towing,
claims in which the policyholder was paid for diminished value in addition
to the cost of repair, and claims identified as closed without payment by
Allstate Insurance Company or Allstate Indemnity Company; provided,
however, persons otherwise satisfying the class definition and who have
insured leased vehicles are included in the Settlement Class.
In light of a recent Georgia Supreme Court ruling, and the trial court's
order certifying this as a class action, the parties agree that settlement is
in the best interest of all Allstate policyholders due to the uncertainty,
risks, and costs associated with continuing this litigation. The Court's
orders and this settlement are limited to claims made by Georgia policyholders
under Georgia law.
Upon Final Approval of the Settlement, Allstate will create a settlement
fund of $59,076,410 to pay Class Members diminished value settlement amounts.
The Settlement provides that each settling Georgia policyholder, who has not
already received a payment for diminished value, will each receive
approximately $150-$215 per claim.
By February 6, 2002, Allstate will mail notice to Class Members. Class
Members will have until March 8, 2002, to opt out of the class. If they
choose not to opt out, Class Members will be entitled to diminished value
settlement payments from Allstate and will be bound by the settlement. Class
Members who have objections to the Settlement must file those objections by
March 1, 2002. The Court has scheduled a Fairness Hearing for March 15, 2002
at 9:00 a.m., at the Muscogee County Courthouse. Georgia policyholders who
have any questions about this Settlement should call 1-866-780-4364, which
will begin accepting calls on January 21, 2002. A website is currently under
development. Policyholders should not call the Court, Allstate or their
Allstate agent.
SOURCE Pope, McGlamry, Kilpatrick, Morrison & Norwood, LLP
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Related links:
http://www.allstate.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/109885.html
CONTACT:
Michael Trevino of Allstate Insurance
Company, +1-847-402-5600; or Plaintiffs' Counsel, C. Neal Pope of
Pope, McGlamry, Kilpatrick, Morrison & Norwood, LLP,
+1-706-324-0050
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