GCS Credit Union sues over auto loan loss

A Madison County couple is accused of failing to pay more than $53,000 on an auto loan for a truck they say was stolen and burned.

GCS Credit Union filed a lawsuit Nov. 25 in Madison County Circuit Court against Jerry and Barbara Witt and State National Insurance Company Inc.

According to the petition, GCS loaned the Witts nearly $60,000 for the purchase of a 2012 Ford F150 in August 2012. At the time of the agreement the credit union says it took out a collateral protection insurance policy on the loan with State National Insurance Company. The policy allegedly provided SNIC would pay either the full loan amount, the cost of repair, the cash value of the truck prior to loss or the unpaid balance of the loan, whichever amount was lowest.

The Witts claim the truck was stolen and damaged by fire in September 2012 and GCS notified the insurance company asking for payment on the loan. However, SNIC allegedly failed to pay the bank on its policy claiming the Witts were covered by Allstate at the time of the loss.

GCS accuses the Witts and SNIC of failing to make payments on the loan balance and asks to be awarded a judgment of more than $104,000 plus interest and court costs.

Attorney Teri L. Havron of Edwardsville represents GSC Credit Union.

Madison County Circuit Court Case No. 13-L-1968