In 2023, Allianz Global Assistance, a travel insurance company, agreed to a $19.75 million class action lawsuit settlement to resolve claims that it charged an illegal assistance fee on travel and event protection plans offered through airline carriers and event ticket sellers, according to Top Class Actions.
Several VERIFY readers, including William and Cindy, and some Reddit users asked if notices they recently received about the settlement were real.
THE QUESTION
Is the Allianz Global Assistance travel protection class action lawsuit settlement notice real?
THE SOURCES
THE ANSWER
Yes, the Allianz Global Assistance travel protection class action lawsuit settlement notice is real.
WHAT WE FOUND
Notices related to the Allianz Global Assistance travel protection class action lawsuit settlement are legitimate, according to the official settlement website. However, only California and Washington residents who purchased certain travel and event ticket insurance plans through Allianz are eligible to receive money from the settlement.
People who are eligible for the settlement include California residents who purchased one or more qualifying travel or event protection plans between Sept. 4, 2016, and Sept. 30, 2023, for a trip or event within California, according to the settlement website and Top Class Actions.
Washington residents who purchased one or more qualifying travel or event protection plans between April 2, 2018, and Sept. 30, 2023, for a trip or event within Washington are also eligible.
The deadline to submit a valid claim is Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024.
Under the terms of the settlement, eligible individuals can receive up to 75% of the assistance fees they paid as part of their Allianz travel or event protection plans. However, Top Class Actions says the amount of money claimants will receive from the settlement varies depending on when the plans were purchased.
A hearing is scheduled for Feb. 22 to consider whether the settlement should be approved as fair, reasonable and adequate. Payments will be issued after the settlement is approved and finalized.
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