AMBROSIO, ET AL. V. PROGRESSIVE PREFERRED INSURANCE COMPANY, ET AL.

9th CircuitSep 12, 2025

Split Score

SplitScore: 64/100

Case Summary

Disposition

Affirmed

Former Progressive auto-insurance customers challenged the company’s use of a “Projected Sold Adjustment” (PSA), a downward deduction applied to comparable-vehicle prices in total-loss valuations. The Ninth Circuit agreed with the district court that individual damages questions predominated and therefore affirmed the denial of class certification under Rule 23(b)(3).

Circuit Split Identified

Legal Issue

Whether claims challenging Progressive’s use of the Projected Sold Adjustment (or similar downward valuation deductions) can be certified as a Rule 23(b)(3) class or whether individualized ACV damages inquiries predominate.

Circuit Positions

3rd Circuit4th Circuit7th Circuit9th Circuit(this circuit)

Class certification is inappropriate; individualized proof of each vehicle’s actual cash value predominates over common questions.

10th Circuit11th Circuit

Class certification may proceed because the PSA deduction is a common, facially unlawful methodology that can be addressed with class-wide proof; denial of Rule 23(f) review leaves certification intact.

Conflict Summary

Several circuits (3d, 4th, 7th, and now the 9th) hold that PSA-based breach-of-contract actions cannot satisfy Rule 23(b)(3) predominance because each insured must prove an individualized undervaluation. Other circuits have allowed certification to stand (10th and 11th Circuits denied §1292(b)/Rule 23(f) review, leaving district-court certifications in place), reflecting a view that the challenged PSA methodology itself provides common proof of liability and damages.

Parties & Counsel

Parties

Appellant:Elliott Ambrosio; Sierra Trenholm
Appellee:Progressive Preferred Insurance Company; Progressive Advanced Insurance Company

Legal Counsel

Appellant:Carney Bates & Pulliam PLLC; Jacobson Phillips PLLC
Appellee:King & Spalding LLP; Papetti Samuels Weiss McKirgan LLP

Opinion Document