EDWARDSVILLE — A Collinsville-based finance company facing class actions for allegedly repossessing debtors' vehicles, alleges its insurance carrier has failed to provide indemnification per the insurance policy.
Universal Credit Acceptance Inc., filed a complaint Feb. 19 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Zurich American Insurance Company alleging breach of contract.
According to the complaint, Universal Credit Acceptance claims it is facing "multiple" class action suits and that its insurance carrier, Zurich American, has reused to indemnify it in defense of the litigation. Universal alleges it entered into an insurance policy agreement with Zurich American for property and liability coverage and that the policy was effective from Dec. 1, 2008 through Nov. 1, 2016. Universal claims it has paid and will "pay hundreds of thousands of dollars" to settle one of its lawsuits. Zurich allegedly agreed there was coverage under its policy but has refused to indemnify them.
Universal alleges it has paid more than $240,000 in class action settlements without being reimbursed by Zurich American.
Universal seeks monetary relief, trial by jury and all other just relief. They are represented by Anthony Simon of The Simon Law Firm PC in St. Louis.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 21-L-000216