I’m Orland Howell. I’ve written about lawsuits for four years, making hard topics simple for everyone. This article explains the USAA SafePilot Patent lawsuit in very easy words. We’ll talk about the claims, what happened in court in 2025, and what it means for USAA members and drivers. I used court papers and public information to keep everything true and clear.
What Is USAA SafePilot?
USAA is an insurance company for military families, veterans, and their loved ones. They help with car insurance, banking, and more. SafePilot is a free phone app. It watches how you drive to save you money on car insurance.
How Does SafePilot Work?
SafePilot checks your driving with your phone. It looks at:
- Speed and Stops: It sees if you stop fast or drive too fast.
- Phone Use: It notices if you use your phone while driving, like for calls.
- Turns and Speed: Smooth turns and steady driving give you a better score.
- Time of Day: Driving at night might seem less safe.
- Crash Help: If the app thinks you had a crash, it can call 911 or start an insurance claim.
You get a score from 0 to 100. A good score saves you up to 30% on your insurance. You get 10% off just for using the app. SafePilot works in most states, but not California, Delaware, or New Jersey. A bad score won’t raise your bill; it just means a smaller discount.
Lots of drivers like SafePilot. One driver saved 20% after a few months. But some say the app thinks they’re driving when they’re not or lowers scores for city driving. It’s still a good way to save money by driving safely.
Why Is There a Lawsuit?
SafePilot uses technology USAA says they made. But other companies say they had the idea first. This caused lawsuits. A patent is a rule that protects new ideas. If someone uses your idea without asking, you can sue them for money.
USAA has won big lawsuits before. They got over $300 million from banks like Wells Fargo in 2019 and 2020 for mobile check deposit ideas. But with SafePilot, some companies say USAA used their ideas.
USAA Sues Other Companies
In the early 2010s, USAA got patents for using phones to track driving and change insurance costs. They said this makes SafePilot special. These lawsuits are about “telematics.” That’s a word for using phone data to check driving. USAA said other companies used the same steps: track speed, send data to a computer, and give discounts for safe driving. USAA wanted money and for these companies to stop.
USAA has publicly announced licensing agreements with Truist (settlement), Discover, First Citizens, and others. The deals are secret, but USAA probably gets paid to let others use their ideas. Some cases are still going, and the U.S. Patent Office is checking if USAA’s patents are okay.
When USAA Got Sued
In 2022, a small UK company called Auto Telematics Ltd. sued USAA in a Texas court. They said SafePilot used four of their patents from the 2000s. These patents are about apps that track driving, like speed and where you go, and send it to insurance companies.
Auto Telematics said their patents are the main part of many insurance apps. They want money for USAA using their ideas and for SafePilot to stop. This case (6:22-cv-00474) is still going as of October 2025, with no big decisions yet.
In April 2025, another company, Lab Technology LLC from New Mexico, sued USAA. They said SafePilot’s crash help feature used their 2015 patent. This patent is about changing a phone screen after a crash to show emergency help. They say SafePilot’s 911 call and screen changes copy their idea. This lawsuit, filed on April 17, 2025, in Western Texas, is with Judge Derek T. Gilliland. USAA hasn’t said much but wants a jury trial.
These lawsuits are a big deal because millions use SafePilot to save money. If USAA loses, they might pay money or change the app.
What Happened in 2025 Courts
In 2025, some court decisions changed things for USAA’s patents, even if not all were about SafePilot. These cases affect how USAA protects its ideas.
USAA Loses a Big Case
USAA won $218 million in 2022 against PNC Bank for copying mobile check deposit ideas. PNC went to a higher court, the Federal Circuit. On June 12, 2025, the court said USAA’s patents were too simple, just basic ideas, not new ones. PNC said USAA’s patents shouldn’t have been allowed.
Other 2025 Cases
In June 2025, the Federal Circuit stopped Mitek Systems, a former USAA partner, from fighting USAA’s deposit patents. Mitek didn’t have the right to challenge them.
USAA also sued Regions Bank in January 2025 for using their deposit ideas. They said Regions broke four patents. This case is still going, with USAA asking for a deal to share the ideas.
The SafePilot lawsuits haven’t gone to appeals yet because they’re still early. But the PNC loss makes people worry. It might make it harder for USAA to protect SafePilot if their patents seem too simple.
What This Means for USAA
These lawsuits test USAA’s patent strength. They’ve made deals before, like with Truist in 2023. But losing the PNC case cost them over $200 million, plus legal costs. USAA has over 150 patents, but courts are asking if they’re too general.
If USAA loses the SafePilot lawsuits, they might pay money or buy the right to use other companies’ ideas. This could make insurance cost more for members. But USAA is strong. They keep SafePilot going and make new tools for military families. From my years writing about lawsuits, I know USAA is good at making deals to stay strong.
What This Means for Drivers
These lawsuits don’t change SafePilot right now. You can still use it and save money. USAA says your insurance won’t cost more because of these cases. Here’s what you need to know:
Good News for Now
- Use SafePilot to save up to 30% on your insurance.
- Your driving info is private; USAA only uses it for claims if needed.
- You can stop using SafePilot anytime without trouble.
What It Means Later
These lawsuits help “usage-based insurance.” That means you pay for how you drive, not just your car or age. More apps like SafePilot could make insurance fairer. But some worry about privacy since apps track where you go. Regulators are checking if scoring is fair.
If you don’t use USAA, other companies like Progressive might have similar lawsuits. This could make driving apps better or more expensive. Safe driving will still save you money, no matter the company.
From my work on lawsuits, I know patent fights make technology better and fairer. They push companies to create new ideas without copying.
Easy Tips for Using SafePilot
Want to save the most with SafePilot? Try these simple tips:
- Drive carefully: Don’t stop fast or speed.
- Don’t use your phone: Use car speakers for calls.
- Check your trips every week: Fix mistakes if the app says you drove when you didn’t.
- Add other savings: Use SafePilot with military or multi-car discounts.
Drivers say they save 20-30% by driving carefully.
Conclusion: A Fight for Better Apps
The USAA SafePilot lawsuit shows how technology changes car insurance. USAA’s fights with other companies and lawsuits from Auto Telematics and Lab Technology are about who owns driving app ideas. The 2025 PNC loss makes things tricky, but SafePilot still works. For USAA, it’s a test of their new ideas. For drivers, it means savings now and better apps later. The lawsuits are still going, but your discounts are safe today.
If you’re a USAA member, keep driving safely. Have questions? Call your agent at 800-531-USAA. I wrote this to give you clear, helpful information, like I always do with lawsuits.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not legal, financial, or professional advice. All information is based on court records and public sources as of October 2025, but legal matters may change. Always verify details with official sources or a qualified professional before acting. Orland Howell and any affiliates are not liable for any losses, damages, or consequences from using this information.
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Orland Howell is a seasoned content writer with four years of deep expertise in crafting compelling and informative content about lawsuit settlements. With a keen understanding of legal nuances and a talent for translating complex topics into clear, engaging narratives, Orland helps law firms, legal professionals, and clients communicate effectively. His work spans blog posts, articles, whitepapers, and website content, all designed to educate, inform, and drive results. Passionate about empowering audiences with knowledge, Orland combines precision, creativity, and industry insight to deliver content that resonates and builds trust.
