RICHARD W. STORY, District Judge.
This case comes before the Court on Defendant's Motion to Dismiss [16]. After reviewing the record, the Court enters the following Order.
In April 2011, Plaintiff Raymond Page obtained financing from Defendant Branch Banking and Trust Company to purchase a 2005 Chrysler Minivan. (Compl. ¶¶ 9). Plaintiff executed an Installment Sale Contract and Security Agreement ("Sale Contract") and a Required Insurance Coverage disclosure ("Insurance Disclosure") for the loan.
Specifically, the Sale Contract states: "You are required to obtain [VSI] insurance. You may obtain this insurance from any agent or insurer of your choice that is acceptable to [Defendant]. If you obtain this insurance from [Defendant], you will pay $49.00." (Dkt. [16-2] at 2). The Sale Contract also includes the $49.00 charge in its "Other Items Financed" section, which in turn is part of the total "Amount Financed."
Plaintiff alleges that these documents fraudulently induced Plaintiff to pay for the VSI insurance by misrepresenting that (1) the VSI insurance was a necessary condition of credit, (2) the VSI insurance provided risk coverage that was otherwise unavailable, (3) the VSI insurance fee was a lawful charge, (4) the VSI insurance premium would be paid by Defendant on Plaintiff's behalf, and (5) all disclosures concerning VSI insurance were accurate. (Compl. ¶¶ 5, 33).
Based on the foregoing allegations, Plaintiff brings a single claim for fraud under O.C.G.A. § 51-3-1 et seq. against Defendant. Defendant now moves for dismissal.
When considering a Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, a federal court is to accept as true "all facts set forth in the plaintiff's complaint."
The United States Supreme Court has dispensed with the rule that a complaint may only be dismissed under Rule 12(b)(6) when "`it appears beyond doubt that the plaintiff can prove no set of facts in support of his claim which would entitle him to relief.'"
In Georgia, the tort of fraud requires: (1) a false representation or omission of material fact; (2) scienter, or knowledge of the falsity by the defendants; (3) intention to induce the party claiming fraud to act or refrain from acting; (4) justifiable reliance; and (5) damages.
Here, Plaintiff does not state a claim for fraud because he fails to allege any misrepresentation. To be sure, Plaintiff alleges that Defendant made the following misrepresentations: (1) that obtaining the VSI insurance was a necessary condition of credit, (2) that the VSI insurance provided risk coverage that was otherwise unavailable, (3) that the VSI insurance fee was lawful, (4) that the VSI insurance premium would be paid by Defendant on Plaintiff's behalf, and (5) that all disclosures concerning VSI insurance were accurate. (Compl. ¶¶ 5, 33). Analyzing each statement in turn, the Court finds that none of them is false.
First, obtaining VSI insurance was a necessary condition of the loan. In fact, regarding the VSI insurance, the Sale Contract states, "[y]ou are required to obtain this insurance." (Dkt. [16-2] at 2). The Insurance Disclosure also states, "Vendor's (or Lender's) Single Interest (VSI) insurance is required." (Dkt. [16-3] at 2).
In spite of this express language, Plaintiff argues that the VSI insurance was not a necessary condition of the loan because Georgia requires drivers to obtain automobile insurance under O.C.G.A. § 33-34-4. (Dkt. [20] at 9). Therefore, Plaintiff argues, the VSI insurance charge is redundant and unnecessary.
Second, Plaintiff argues that Defendant falsely represented that VSI insurance was available from other insurers. To the contrary, the Sale Contract stated that Plaintiff could "obtain this insurance from any agent or insurer of your choice that is acceptable to us." (Dkt. [16-2] at 2). In his opposition brief, however, Plaintiff argues that this is misleading because purchasers "typically cannot purchase VSI insurance coverage on their own." (Dkt. [20] at 9). But the Sale Contract does not guarantee that the purchaser can find an alternative issuer of VSI insurance. It simply discloses that the purchaser "may obtain this insurance from" an acceptable third party to satisfy the VSI insurance requirement. (Dkt. [16-2] at 2) (emphasis added). Accordingly, that disclosure was not false and cannot constitute fraud.
Third, Plaintiff contends that the VSI insurance fee was an unlawful charge. VSI insurance has frequently been recognized by courts as a common charge for creditors to include in financing.
Fourth, Plaintiff states that Defendant represented that it would pay the VSI insurance fee. However, Defendant made clear that Plaintiff would pay the VSI fee in the Sale Contract, stating "[i]f you obtain this insurance from us, you will pay $49.00." (Dkt. [16-2] at 2) (emphasis added).
Finally, Plaintiff generally alleges that Defendant misrepresented that its VSI disclosures were accurate. But as shown above, Plaintiff has failed to alleged any misstatements regarding the VSI insurance. Further, broadly asserting that other VSI disclosures were inaccurate without identifying any misstatement plainly lacks the required particularity for a fraud claim.
Because none of the statements upon which Plaintiff bases his claim is false, Plaintiff fails to state a claim for fraud. Therefore, Plaintiff's claim is due to be dismissed.
In his opposition brief, Plaintiff alternatively requests leave to replead. (Dkt. [20] at 19). While Plaintiff does not attach a proposed Amended Complaint, "failing to do so is not a basis for denying leave to amend."
In accordance with the foregoing, Defendant's Motion to Dismiss [16] is