|
Quotes & Info
|
| FAC > SEC Filings for FAC > Form 8-K on 11-Dec-2008 | All Recent SEC Filings |
11-Dec-2008
Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
On December 5, 2008, First Acceptance Corporation (the "Company") entered
into a Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement (the "Settlement Agreement") with
the plaintiffs in certain class action litigation pending against the Company in
the Circuit Court of Bullock County, Alabama. The actions generally alleged that
the Company implemented a program to convince our consumers who purchased
automobile insurance policies to also purchase motor club memberships, and
sought unspecified damages and attorneys' fees. The Company denied all
allegations of wrongdoing, vigorously defended against these actions, and
believes that it has meritorious defenses to those claims.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to avoid the uncertainty, risks and costs of
further litigation, the Company determined to settle this litigation. Pursuant
to the terms of the Settlement Agreement, the plaintiffs in the Alabama
litigation will be divided into three classes: (i) persons insured in Alabama by
the Company who purchased an automobile club membership from the Company, and
who own a liability insurance policy issued by the Company that is in force on
both December 15, 2008 and March 6, 2009 ("Active Current Policyholders");
(ii) persons insured in Alabama by the Company who purchased an automobile club
membership from the Company, and who owned a liability insurance policy issued
by the Company that was in force on December 15, 2008, but is not in force on
March 6, 2009 ("Inactive Current Policyholders"), and (iii) persons insured in
Alabama by the Company who purchased an automobile club membership from the
Company, and who did not own a liability insurance policy issued by the Company
that was in force on December 15, 2008 ("Former Policyholders").
Pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement, each Active Current
Policyholder will, upon renewal of his or her current automobile insurance
policy with the Company, receive a premium credit equal to 100% of the amounts
he or she paid for automobile club memberships against the premium for a renewal
automobile insurance policy, unless he or she elects, prior to March 6, 2009, to
receive instead of the premium credit a reimbursement certificate that provides
for cash reimbursement of up to a maximum total payment of $50 for any rental or
towing expenses incurred by such Active Current Policyholder on or before
February 28, 2010 as a result of the disablement of his or her vehicle because
of an accident. Each Inactive Current Policyholder will receive a premium credit
equal to 100% of the amounts he or she paid for automobile club memberships
against the premium for his or her next automobile insurance policy purchased
from the Company on or before August 30, 2010, unless he or she elects, prior to
March 6, 2009, to receive instead of the premium credit a reimbursement
certificate that provides for cash reimbursement of up to a maximum total
payment of $50 for any rental or towing expenses incurred by such Inactive
Current Policyholder on or before February 28, 2010 as a result of the
disablement of his or her vehicle because of an accident. Each Former
Policyholder will receive a reimbursement certificate that provides for cash
reimbursement of up to a maximum total payment of $50 for any rental or towing
expenses incurred by such Former Policyholder on or before February 28, 2010 as
a result of the disablement of his or her vehicle because of an accident, unless
he or she elects, prior to March 6, 2009, to receive instead of the
reimbursement certificate a premium credit equal to 100% of the amounts he or
she paid for automobile club memberships against the premium for his or her next
automobile insurance policy purchased from the Company on or before August 30,
2010.
Any premium credits issued to class members as described above shall be
applied first to uninsured motorist coverage, if purchased, and then to
liability coverage, and shall be prorated over a twelve-month term, and the
class member will be entitled to the prorated premium credit only so long as he
or she keeps his or her insurance premiums current during the twelve-month term.
The Company has also agreed to strengthen its disclosures to customers of all
relevant fees, charges and coverages. In addition, the Company has agreed to pay
$2,320,000 in fees and expenses for the attorneys for the plaintiffs and pay all
costs associated with the administration of the settlement. The Settlement
Agreement is subject to approval by the court, and the Company expects the court
to hold a hearing to consider the settlement on February 9, 2009. The foregoing
description of the Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 99 and incorporated herein by this
reference.
At this time, we are unable to estimate the total costs associated with the
Alabama litigation settlement. The costs of the settlement will depend, among
other factors, upon whether class members receive premium credits or
reimbursement certificates pursuant to the terms of the settlements and the rate
of redemption and forfeiture of the premium credits and reimbursement
certificates. We estimate that there are approximately 55,000 persons who were
insured by the Company prior to December 15, 2008 that, pursuant to the proposed
settlement terms, would be eligible to be members of the plaintiff class in the
Alabama litigation. The total amount received by the Company relating to motor
club memberships and deferred billing fees is $5.8 million for the State of
Alabama.
On November 21, 2008, the Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia approved
the previously disclosed settlement relating to the class action litigation
pending against the Company in the State of Georgia. We are currently in
discussions with our insurance carriers regarding coverage for the costs and
expenses incurred relating to the litigation settlements and are not able
currently to estimate the amount, if any, that we may receive from our insurance
carriers.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
99 Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement, dated as of December 5, 2008,
by First Acceptance Insurance Company, Inc., and its predecessors and
affiliates, USAuto Insurance Company, and Transit Automobile Club,
Inc., by and through their attorneys of record, and Margaret Franklin
and all other persons similarly situated, by and through their
attorneys of record.
|
|
|