A group of independent auto body shops – shops that are not part of direct repair programs with Progressive – has filed a class action suit against the insurer for damages and injunctive relief.

The shops claim that Progressive is illegally steering consumers to its direct repair shops, some of which are not registered as required by Ohio law. The shops also claim that when customers choose shops that aren’t part of the insurer’s DRP, Progressive refuses to reimburse the shops for work that they claim is recognized as standard in the industry and required for safe, quality repairs.

The class members are represented by Waite, Schneider, Bayless & Chesley of Cincinnati, Ohio, a nationally known business litigation law firm. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit are Blue Ash Auto Body Inc. in Cincinnati, Ohio, Finney
Automotive Co. in Cadiz, Ohio, and Jim Collins Auto Body Inc. in
Westwood, Ohio.

“This case is corporate arrogance at its worst,” said Stan Chesley, one of the employees’ trial attorneys. “Progressive just walks all over these independent shops and is trying to prevent them from performing the repairs that any reasonable consumer would expect.”
 
The case will be heard by Judge Steven E. Martin of the Hamilton County Ohio Court of Common Pleas.