GEICO Blocks Class Certification in Suit Over Covid-Era Premiums

GEICO Casualty Co. persuaded a federal judge to deny class certification to policyholders claiming they were charged unlawfully high auto insurance premiums during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The proponents need to further show that a class action is superior to other available methods of resolving the controversy,” said Judge Sharon J. Coleman, of the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

The drivers are suing for deception and unfair conduct under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. The lead plaintiffs have said more than 300,000 people could be part of the proposed class action. They allege ...