Opinion ID: 2205488
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: introduction

Text: ¶ 1 This action was commenced by eleven purchasers of vehicles (Purchasers) from two car dealerships: Midway Auto Plaza and Mike Riddle Mitsubishi (Car Dealers). We granted interlocutory appeal to decide two issues. The first issue is whether section 31A-15-105(2) of the Utah Code provides a private right of action to purchasers of an insurance policy from an unauthorized insurer. This issue arose from a motion to dismiss filed by the Car Dealers arguing that the Purchasers had no such right. The district court denied the motion. The second issue is whether the district court abused its discretion in certifying several class actions. [1] The Car Dealers argue that none of the certifications meet the requirements of rule 23 of the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure, and ask us to overrule the district court's order. They argue that the classes lack commonality, typicality, and adequacy of representation and that the claims lack predominance and superiority. ¶ 2 For the reasons described below, we hold that section 31A-15-105(2) provides a private right of action and that the district court did not abuse its discretion in certifying the class actions. We therefore affirm the district court's orders regarding both these issues.