The California Department of Insurance has announced that it has reached two settlement agreements with Go Maps and its insurance underwriter, Topa Insurance, following an investigation into numerous complaints regarding mishandling of consumer claims for over two dozen drivers.
As per the terms of the agreement, Go Maps has consented to surrender its insurance license, pay a fine of $150,000, reimburse costs amounting to $50,000, and furnish the department with all necessary information to ensure compliance with statutory requirements concerning existing policyholders.
Topa, on the other hand, received a fine of $2,108,000 and committed to maintaining permanent access to all policies handled by future general agents, certifying the appropriate licensure of all general agents and associated entities, and refraining from seeking money from consumers who may have been undercharged due to rating errors in the Go Maps/Topa program.
Go Maps, functioning as an insurtech, utilized an app-based marketing platform to conduct its insurance business for Topa. It's essential for insurtech companies and the insurance companies utilizing them for marketing and managing their products to adhere to California's consumer protection laws, maintaining licensed and knowledgeable individuals to ensure proper insurance transactions within the state.
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In 2019, Go Maps partnered with Topa to handle all functions necessary for the sale, service, management, and claims handling of Topa’s private passenger automobile policies sold to the public via the Go Maps app. At its peak, the Go Maps/Topa program boasted over 10,000 California customers, constituting the majority of its approximately 12,000 policies nationwide.
In June 2022, the California Department of Insurance acted against Go Maps and Topa to safeguard the public from further harm resulting from repeated violations of various consumer protection laws concerning insurance claims.
The failure of Go Maps and Topa to adhere to California’s consumer protection rules imposed financial burdens on drivers, compelling them to cover rental car expenses and other costs while their insurance claims were delayed. Among various violations, Go Maps and/or Topa:
“These settlements represent an important victory for California consumers as we hold all companies accountable and ensure that they comply with our strong consumer protection laws,” Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said. “While we encourage new products and innovation in our marketplace, our top priority is protecting policyholders and making sure insurance companies deliver on their promises.”
Elsewhere in the state, a recent report revealed that California will let insurance companies consider climate change when setting their prices to prevent insurer retreats over fears of losses from natural disasters.
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