Schwartz

An insured sued disability insurers alleging deceptive claims handling practices in violation of the unfair competition law (UCL) based upon the insurers’ former practice of wrongfully denying benefits to some insureds. (Bus. & Prof. Code, § 17200 et seq.) The trial court found that the insured, who was never denied benefits, lacked standing to pursue a UCL cause of action because the insured had not “suffered injury in fact” nor “lost money or property as a result of the unfair competition.” (§ 17204.) The court granted summary adjudication in favor of the insurers on the UCL cause of action. We shall affirm the summary adjudication ruling and subsequent judgment.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

Defendants Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company and related companies (collectively, insurers) sell disability insurance that provides monetary benefits to individuals who, due to injury or illness, are unable to work in their chosen occupations. Plaintiff Rick L. Schwartz is an insured under a policy he purchased in 1988 and maintains to date. Schwartz, a certified public accountant, chose the policy because he believed it was a good idea to “lock in a good premium” at a young age…