The federal judge overseeing a putative class action against insurer The Hartford has certified a class of about 19,500 California policyholders in a case claiming the insurer routinely underpays claims for damaged property by depreciating items not subject to such reductions under their policies or state law.
The complaint also accuses Hartford of decreasing the sales tax paid on replacement items. Both practices, it said, violate California’s insurance code and constitute breach of contract and related claims.
