Court Gives Final Approval to Claimants in National Cell Phone Insurance Class Action Settlement

United States District Court Judge Patricia Seitz granted final approval last Friday (6/22/07) to a nationwide class settlement involving 10.3 million cellular phone customers involving the country's largest providers of cell phone equipment insurance, Asurion Corp. and Lock/Line.

Miami, FL (PRWEB) July 5, 2007 -- United States District Court Judge Patricia Seitz granted final approval last Friday (6/22/07) to a nationwide class settlement involving 10.3 million cellular phone customers involving the country's largest providers of cell phone equipment insurance, Asurion Corp. and Lock/Line.

Cellular phone customers who believe they are eligible for claims can visit http://www.cellphoneinsurancesettlement.com for more information and to submit a claim online.

The settlement of Perez et al v. Asurion Corp. et al (case number 06-20734-Civ-Seitz/McAliley), ends two and a half years of litigation and mediation in Florida and California. Representing the claimants were Miami attorneys Adam Moskowitz, Kozyak, Tropin & Throckmorton, P.A. and Lance Harke, Harke & Clasby LLP.

"Much of the credit for this settlement goes to the defendants in this case who believed it was more important to work with their customers than to further litigate," said Moskowitz.

The case centers on claims that the companies were not clear with customers about replacement policies. The case alleged that defendants Asurion Corp. and Lock/Line provided customers with inadequate disclosures and refurbished phones worth less than the originals.

The evidence revealed that, although 10.3 million of the 40 million customers received refurbished replacement phones, the great majority of these phones had a value more than the deductibles that were paid by the customers.

"Our objective was to improve the information provided to customers regarding how the cellular phone insurance and replacement process works and what phones are actually provided to customers during the claim process," said Harke. "We determined that customers were not always aware that they could receive a refurbished phone that, in a few cases, could be worth less than the customer was required to pay as a deductible."

In addition to specific changes to all of the advertising and claims process that will benefit almost 70 million customers that lose and/or damage their cell phones every year, the settlement also provides monetary relief to the claimants. Approximately 15,000 customers who received refurbished replacement phones valued at slightly less than the charged deductible will receive vouchers for a free replacement phone with a value of between $75.00 and $150.00. Vouchers are fully refundable for 90 days and require no further purchase by the customers.

The 10.3 million class members can each claim a $5.00 fully transferable phone card. All customers have been mailed a postcard instructing them on how to log into the settlement website to register for these cards.

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