State Farm Alabama Total Loss Settlement -- File a $20.50 Claim by July 15, 2026

What happened

Class period: November 7, 2018 through February 10, 2026

• Plaintiff Rochell Brent Dortch alleges that State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company breached its Alabama auto insurance policies by failing to include full "Purchasing Fees" in total loss claim payments
• "Purchasing Fees" include Alabama state sales tax (2%, excluding city tax), applicable county sales tax, ad valorem taxes and ad valorem refund credit fees, and state, county, and city license fees, tag fees, and school fees
• In plain terms: when State Farm totaled a policyholder's car and cut them a check, it allegedly left out taxes and registration-related fees they were owed under their policy
• The case is Rochell Brent Dortch v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, Case No. 03-CV-2024-901729.00, Circuit Court of Montgomery County, Alabama
• State Farm denies any wrongdoing, fault, or liability; the court has not determined that State Farm violated any law

What you can get

Key dates

Who may qualify

• You are an Alabama policyholder insured by a State Farm entity
• You submitted a covered first-party private passenger auto physical damage claim between November 7, 2018, and February 10, 2026
• Your claim resulted in a total loss payment from State Farm
• That payment did not include full Purchasing Fees (sales tax, ad valorem taxes, license/tag/school fees)
• If you received a mailed or email notice from the settlement administrator, State Farm's records indicate you may qualify

How to file

1. Visit alabamafeesettlement.com and click "Make a Claim"
2. Enter your Claimant ID (found in your mailed notice or settlement email) OR your policy number and claim number
3. Complete and submit the electronic claim form by July 15, 2026
4. Alternatively, sign the pre-filled paper claim form mailed to you and return it postmarked by July 15, 2026
5. If you need a blank claim form mailed to you, use the "Contact Us" page at alabamafeesettlement.com

Proof required

• No additional documentation required for most claimants -- your Claimant ID or policy/claim number is sufficient to file
• If your address changes after submitting your claim, contact the Claims Administrator promptly to update it or your payment may not arrive

Payment timing

Payments will be issued after the court grants final approval of the Settlement. The Final Approval Hearing is scheduled for June 15, 2026. Payment method has not been specified on the official settlement website; check alabamafeesettlement.com for updates.

Important links

• Official website
• Claim form
• Important dates
• FAQs
• Documents

Contact

Extra details

• Attorneys' fees ($261,200) and the class representative service award ($5,000) are paid separately by State Farm and do not reduce the $20.50 payment to class members
• If you do nothing, you remain in the class but will not receive a payment -- you must file a claim to get paid
• The opt-out and objection deadlines (May 15, 2026) are earlier than the claims deadline (July 15, 2026) -- do not confuse them
• You cannot both object to the settlement and opt out; you must choose one or the other
• Watch for scams: the only authorized website for this case is alabamafeesettlement.com
• The Class Member ID and Claimant ID are the same number

FAQ

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