Auto Litigation Specialist

Allstate reported $3.2 billion in net income for Q2, up 56% year-over-year, with its combined ratio improving to 86.6%. However, the gains came largely from higher premiums and reduced catastrophe losses rather than structural cost improvements. The insurer's homeowners line swung to a 94.6 combined ratio from 102 in 2025, generating $226 million in underwriting income. Catastrophe losses fell 12.8% to $1.4 billion, whilst average homeowners premiums rose 5.8% year-over-year. Total written premiums reached $4.75 billion, up 8.1%, and earned premiums climbed 11.4%. Insurify projects the typical annual homeowners premium will reach $3,057 in 2026, roughly 4% higher than 2025. The results show Allstate's financial recovery continues, but homeowners face persistent premium increases despite improved insurer profitability.

A factual dispute is enough to require trial. No Summary Judgment for Bad Faith for lack of evidence. Post 5437. Genuine dispute of material fact avoids Summary Judgment. In Riley and Rebecca Ross v. Allstate Vehicle And Property Insurance Company, and Illinois Corporation, No. 2:25-CV-00006-JAG, United States District Court, E.D. Washington (August 18, 2026), Pending before the USDC was Defendant's Motion for Partial Summary Judgment the plaintiffs brought claims against Allstate arising from its handling of an insurance claim. They alleged Allstate failed to make proper payment, adequately investigate the loss, retain an expert, respond to communications, and properly value damages including alternative living expenses and damage to a hydronic heating system. Plaintiffs argued Defendant failed "to adopt and implement reasonable standards for the prompt investigation of claims arising under insurance policies." Issues. Allstate sought dismissal of the plaintiffs' claims under the Insurance Fair Conduct Act (IFCA), Consumer Protection Act (CPA), insurance bad faith, and negligent claims handling. Allstate also sought to bar recovery of attorney's fees. Law. The USDC applied the summary judgment standard: summary judgment is proper only where there is no genuine dispute of material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. For the IFCA claim, Washington law permits suit where an insurer unreasonably denies coverage or payment of benefits. The USDC rejected an expanded "constructive denial" theory. For the CPA claim, the plaintiffs had to show an unfair or deceptive act, trade or commerce, public interest impact, injury, and causation. Violations of certain insurance regulations can constitute per se unfair or deceptive acts. For bad faith, plaintiffs had to show unreasonable conduct by the insurer. Summary judgment is improper if material facts remain disputed regarding the reasonableness of the insurer's actions. Fees are available in coverage disputes, not merely disputes over claim valuation or damages. Discussion / analysis. Where the insurer pays or offers to pay a paltry amount that is not in line with the losses claimed, is not based on a reasoned evaluation of the facts (as known or, in some cases, as would have been known had the insurer adequately investigated the claim), and would not compensate the insured for the loss at issue, the benefits promised in the policy are effectively denied. The court dismissed the IFCA claim because Allstate had not denied coverage or benefits. The court concluded that Washington law does not recognize a constructive denial theory under IFCA where the insurer made substantial payment but disputed the amount owed. The CPA claim survived in part. The court dismissed CPA theories based on failure to adopt investigation standards, failure to affirm or deny coverage, failure to acknowledge communications, and settlement standards because plaintiffs failed to identify sufficient supporting facts. However, CPA theories based on allegedly unreasonable investigation and alleged underpayment sufficient to compel litigation survived because factual disputes remained. The bad faith and negligent claims handling claims also survived. Plaintiffs presented enough evidence to create a factual dispute over whether Allstate's investigation and valuation were reasonable, including the lack of an in-person adjuster inspection and handling of the heating-system damage. The court rejected fees because the dispute concerned claim valuation and damages, not coverage. Allstate acknowledged coverage. The disagreement was over the extent and value of the loss. Conclusion. Allstate's motion for partial summary judgment was granted in part and denied in part. The IFCA claim was dismissed with prejudice. CPA claims based on WAC 284-30-330(4) and (7) remained. The plaintiffs' breach of contract, bad faith, declaratory judgment, and negligent claims handling claims remained pending. The USDC concluded that as to the IFCA claims, no issue of genuine factual dispute exists, consequently summary judgment is appropriate. Plaintiff also presented a genuine issue of fact regarding the Bad Faith and Negligent Claims Handing claim. Lastly, the USDC found fees do not apply. Zalma opinion. Bad faith is a tort that requires a finding of unreasonable conduct by the insurer. The facts to prove that tort was not proved but the plaintiff presented sufficient evidence to raise a genuine issue of fact regarding the Bad Faith and Negligent Claims Handing claim. Whether they proved the torts at trial will be established by a jury. (c) 2026 Barry Zalma & ClaimSchool, Inc.

Crash Champions, Allstate and NABC present Recycled Rides to two texas veterans. U.S. Army veteran Robert Naylor received a refurbished 2018 Jeep Wrangler, and U.S. Navy veteran Tiffany Danielle Clark received a 2021 Chevy Silverado. Jason Stahl has 32 years of experience as an editor, 27 of which is in B2B media, and has been editor of BodyShop Business for the past 20 years. From Cleveland, Ohio, Stahl earned a bachelor of arts degree in English from John Carroll University and started his career in journalism at a weekly newspaper, doing everything from delivering newspapers to selling advertising space to writing articles. Published: August 26, 2026 Crash Champions partnered with Allstate, Veterans Resource TCC VA, Freedom Mobility and the National Auto Body Council (NABC) to donate refurbished vehicles to U.S. military veterans Robert Naylor and Tiffany Danielle Clark through the NABC Recycled Rides program. The vehicle presentations took place at the Crash Champions Richardson Regional Support Center. The event recognized Naylor and Clark for their military service and provided each with reliable transportation. Recipient: U.S. Army veteran Robert Naylor. Naylor, an eight-year U.S. Army veteran, received a 2018 Jeep Wrangler refurbished by the Crash Champions Plano team. The vehicle was donated by Allstate, and Naylor was selected in partnership with Veterans Resource TCC VA. Naylor joined the Army as a junior in high school, inspired in part by his grandfather's military service. Following his service, he is attending college full time while working part time to support his family. Recipient: U.S. Navy veteran Tiffany Danielle Clark. Clark, who recently received a medical discharge from the U.S. Navy after nine years of service, received a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado refurbished by the Crash Champions Grand Prairie team. The vehicle was donated by Allstate, and Clark was selected in partnership with Freedom Mobility. Clark has limited mobility and uses a wheelchair for longer distances. The Silverado will provide space and 4x4 capability to transport herself, her son, two wheelchairs and her service dog. "Supporting our nation's veterans means finding meaningful ways to help remove barriers as they transition to civilian life," said Matt Ebert, founder and CEO of Crash Champions. "We're grateful to Allstate, NABC, Veterans Resource TCC VA and Freedom Mobility for joining us in providing these vehicles, and we're proud of our Crash Champions Plano and Grand Prairie team members whose volunteer efforts and craftsmanship helped make these donations possible." Industry professionals interested in career opportunities at Crash Champions are encouraged to visit careers.crashchampions.com.