GEICO and State Farm Impose Gag Order on Gunder
February 19, 2013

GEICO has followed State Farm’s lead, seeking a gag order, or suppression order, against Ray Gunder of Lakeland, Fla.-based Gunder’s Auto Center.

Gunder has alleged short pays against both companies and filed suit for the purported damages.

Gunder further alleges that GEICO brought in additional legal counsel last week and notified Gunder’s attorney, Brent Geohagan, the company would seek a delay/continuance for upcoming scheduled depositions.

State Farm filed a similar gag order last month.

According to a statement from Gunder, “Last month State Farm, the nation’s largest auto insurer, filed a motion to the local court to stop [Gunder] from sharing information relative to the numerous lawsuits that Ray has filed on behalf of his customers, including deposition transcripts, results of hearings and discovery which has proven to be extremely embarrassing to State Farm.”

“Because no 'trade secrets’ (i.e. policy premiums, methodology to set or determine pricing, demographics, etc.) will be part or parcel of the discovery in these cases, and because the terms of the insurer’s policy/contracts are readily available to all, as are their marketing efforts, I can see no viable or ‘legitimate trade secret’ concerns that would warrant the courts to issue such an order to silence Ray,” says Barrett Smith of Auto Damage Experts.

“I’m not overly concerned,” adds Gunder. “I have excellent legal counsel and I am confident that Brent will do what he can to defend against the insurers efforts to silence me. My only concern is not being able to show what goes on and how other repairers can be successful in properly and thoroughly serving their customers (and their employees) in receiving proper compensation.”

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