Suit Says USAA Owes Californians More Than $5M In COVID ’Windfall’ Profits

A lawsuit filed against USAA by auto insurance policyholder Philip Johnson in California alleges the company has ‘scored a windfall’ of profit throughout the COVID-19 pandemic by continuing to ‘charge and collect excessive premiums’ in 2020 and 2021 despite fewer cars on the road resulting in a decreased number of claims.

The suit, filed on April 14, alleges USAA breached its contract with Johnson and all of its California policyholders who purchased USAA personal automobile insurance beginning March 1, 2020, to the present.

It also claims USAA has been unjustly enriched and is in violation of California’s Unfair Competition Law (UCL) as well as the state’s Business and Professions Code.

The plaintiffs seek a jury trial, disgorgement of ‘the ill-gotten gains obtained by USAA to the detriment of its customers;’ all available damages, punitive damages, declaratory and injunctive relief, and all other available relief.

Although the suit doesn’t seek a specific payment for the plaintiffs, it states the amount ‘in controversy’ exceeds $5 million exclusive of interest and costs.