Excess Wells Fargo Hazard Insurance Lawsuit Dismissed
A class action lawsuit against Wells Fargo alleges that the bank improperly forcibly placed insurance on borrowers’ vehicles and failed to maintain these policies. The lender allegedly charged borrowers exorbitant rates for such policies and charged fees and premiums to its vendor despite a lack of accountability. The plaintiffs argue that Wells Fargo imposed such policies on borrowers because the insurance companies’ contracts with them were not transparent.
Wells Fargo forcibly placed insurance on borrowers’ vehicles
Consumers who are being forced into auto insurance by Wells Fargo can seek a full refund. The bank paid out at least $393 million in force-placed auto insurance premiums, more than three times the amount they originally proposed. Once the settlement has been approved, class members will receive checks in the mail. They are eligible for refunds of the forced insurance premiums, as well as compensation for lost funds.
Wells Fargo improperly maintained force-placed insurance policies on borrowers’ accounts
A $1 billion fine has been levied against Wells Fargo for allegedly violating federal consumer protection laws by placing force-placed insurance policies on the accounts of borrowers. The bank improperly referred customers to third-party insurance policies that were not needed and failed to refund unearned premiums. Additionally, it improperly charged mortgage rate lock extension fees. However, it is unclear whether the bank will pay back the fine to the affected customers.
Wells Fargo improperly charged premiums, interest, and fees for force-placed insurance
The CFPB recently found that Wells Fargo incorrectly charged customers for premiums, interest, and fees for force-placed insurance. The bank erroneously charged borrowers for force-placed insurance even though they had obtained adequate insurance on their own. The company acknowledged that the extra costs of force-placed insurance contributed to at least 27,000 repossessions of cars and may have contributed to the financial upheaval.
Wells Fargo’s vendor lacked accountability
The suit asserts that Wells Fargo’s vendors failed to comply with certain policies. These policies are inconsistently applied and failed to provide adequate accountability. A comprehensive compliance management system ties policies, procedures, and people together. But the company’s vendor management program failed to meet the standard. The company failed to address the problem when it first spotted it.
Excessive insurance theory dismissed with prejudice
In one of the recent cases, a California homeowner has had his or her excess Wells Fargo hazard insurance lawsuit dismissed with prejudice. The lawsuit challenges the lender’s practices of forcing borrowers to purchase flood insurance. The lenders purchased their insurance through an entity known as ASIC and not from a separate insurance company. The court found that Wells Fargo forced the borrowers to purchase an insurance policy that did not meet their needs.
Damages sought in the lawsuit
A class-action lawsuit against Wells Fargo is moving forward in Florida this week. The lawsuit alleges that the bank overcharged homeowners for hazard insurance policies. More than $50 million in insurance premiums are at issue, and the lawsuit is seeking damages of more than $20 million. The company claims that it has threatened to sue homeowners who file suit. Wells Fargo and QBE did not respond to requests for comment.
Status of case
The status of the Wells Fargo Hazard Insurance lawsuit is unclear, but a recent ruling has changed that. A federal judge has elevated a forced-placed insurance lawsuit against the bank to class action status. The suit was filed because Wells Fargo purchased hazard insurance for homeowners whose policies had expired. In other words, the bank “force-placed” the insurance on the homeowners’ behalf. Banks are not permitted to collude with insurance companies to raise the cost of insurance, and Wells Fargo allegedly did just that. As a result, customers may now have legal recourse.
A class action lawsuit against Wells Fargo alleges that the bank improperly forcibly placed insurance on borrowers’ vehicles and failed to maintain these policies. The lender allegedly charged borrowers exorbitant rates for such policies and charged fees and premiums to its vendor despite a lack of accountability. The plaintiffs argue that Wells Fargo imposed such…