A class action lawsuit was filed in First Circuit Court September 12 against five Progressive Insurance companies who has allegedly overcharged Hawai‘i consumers. The insurance companies have based premiums on credit reports or other parameters prohibited by state law.

Under Hawai‘i state law, no automobile insurer may “base any standard or rating plan… upon a person’s race, creed, ethnic extraction, age, sex, length, or driving experience, credit bureau rating, marital status, or physical handicap.”

The lawsuit was filed against Progressive Hawai‘i Insurance, Northern Insurance, Northwestern Insurance, and Specialty Insurance Company. Progressive Insurance, headquartered in Ohio, is the fourth largest auto insurer in the United States in terms of net written premiums. It operates in 48 states and the District of Columbia. Laws vary across other states relating to credit history.

The lawsuit, filed by Bruce Wakuzawa of Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing, represent clients throughout Hawai‘i and the Pacific Basin. Residents who believe they have been charged higher rates by any insurance company, can contact Bruce Wakuzawa or Peter Knapman at 524-1800.