McInturff, J.
Is a showing of actual monetary damages a prerequisite to an award of attorney's fees under the Consumer Protection Act? We hold that attorney's fees may be awarded independently, without a showing of actual monetary damages.
In September 1973, the Lad Irrigation Company (Lad) obtained insurance from the St. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance Company (St. Paul). The initial policy was effective for 3 years and was later extended by mutual agreement for an additional year. Premiums were to be paid on a composite rate basis.1 The policy provided that premiums could only be modified by a written endorsement issued by St. Paul and countersigned by a St. Paul agent and then only prospectively at or before the anniversary date.
In March 1974, in contravention of the policy language, St. Paul increased Lad's premiums and retroactively applied the increase back to September 1, 1973. St. Paul raised Lad's premiums in the same manner in March 1975 and March 1976. Lad, unaware of its rights under the policy, voluntarily paid the increased premiums. In July 1977, St. Paul sent Lad an estimated bill for the 1976-77 year which reflected an approximately 200 percent premium increase over the prior year. This premium adjustment was not included in an endorsement nor was it made at or before the anniversary date as required by the policy. Lad [655]*655refused to pay and St. Paul then agreed to charge the composite rate from the previous year.
In September 1977, St. Paul issued a 2-month binder to Lad. In November, a new policy was issued for the 1977-78 year. The trial court found this new policy failed to contain an endorsement which set the premium rate. However, St. Paul's underwriters advised its agents the premium would probably not increase more than 10 percent. In June 1978, St. Paul submitted its bill, which reflected a 280 percent premium increase to be applied retroactively. Lad refused to pay this premium.
St. Paul sued Lad and Arlie and Aurora Updegrave individually for the amount of the premium. Lad and the Updegraves counterclaimed, alleging St. Paul had overcharged in the past and had violated the Consumer Protection Act. RCW 19.86.
The trial court determined Lad owed St. Paul $7,430.80. This was the net amount owed for unpaid premiums. It also found St. Paul's attempts to change the premium amounts in the middle of an anniversary year without a valid endorsement and its overcharging in excess of the contracted premium rate constituted a per se violation of the Consumer Protection Act. The trial court specifically found St. Paul's practices to be in violation of its duty to act in good faith. On the basis of this per se violation, Lad was awarded $1,000 in treble damages plus $5,000 attorney's fees and $196.25 in costs.
Initially, St. Paul challenges various findings of fact made by the trial court. An appellate court will not substitute its judgment for that of the trial court when there is substantial evidence to support the trial court's findings. Beeson v. ARCO, 88 Wn.2d 499, 503, 563 P.2d 822 (1977); Thorndike v. Hesperian Orchards, Inc., 54 Wn.2d 570, 575, 343 P.2d 183 (1959). There is substantial evidence if there is sufficient evidence to persuade a fair-minded rational person of the truth of the declared premise. Beeson, at 503; In re Snyder, 85 Wn.2d 182, 185-86, 532 P.2d 278 (1975). We have considered the challenged findings, searched the [656]*656record, and find there is substantial evidence to support those findings of fact which are necessary to support the trial court's conclusions of law.2
The Consumer Protection Act declares unlawful any unfair or deceptive practices that occur in trade or commerce. RCW 19.86.020. A violation of the Consumer Protection Act may be proven by showing a per se violation. The elements of a per se violation are:
(1) the existence of a pertinent statute; (2) its violation; (3) that such violation was the proximate cause of damages sustained; and (4) that they were within the class of people the statute sought to protect.
Wilkinson v. Smith, 31 Wn. App. 1, 9, 639 P.2d 768 (1982); [657]*657Dempsey v. Joe Pignataro Chevrolet, Inc., 22 Wn. App. 384, 393, 589 P.2d 1265 (1979). Lad satisfied all of the elements of a per se violation.
The first element requires the existence of a pertinent statute. RCW 48.01.030 establishes a duty of good faith and fair dealing in all insurance matters:
The business of insurance is one affected by the public interest, requiring that all persons be actuated by good faith, abstain from deception, and practice honesty and equity in all insurance matters. Upon the insurer, the insured, and their representatives rests the duty of preserving inviolate the integrity of insurance.
The second element requires a showing that the pertinent statute has been violated. The trial court specifically found that St. Paul did not act in good faith. This is a factual question. Miller v. Indiana Ins. Cos., 31 Wn. App. 475, 479, 642 P.2d 769 (1982). The trial court's determination was based on its finding that St. Paul had overcharged Lad during the 1974-75 and 1975-76 policy years;3 that St. Paul attempted to increase Lad's premiums midway through the 1976-77 policy year in direct contravention of the policy; that St. Paul's underwriters advised its agent that the premium for the year commencing November 1, 1977, would not increase over 10 percent; that when St. Paul submitted its bill 6 months into the policy year, the bill reflected a 280 percent increase which was to be retroactively applied; and that Lad would not have purchased insurance from St. Paul had it been timely advised of the premium increase. The finding that St. Paul failed to act in good faith is supported by substantial evidence and should not be disturbed on appeal. Thorndike v. Hesperian Orchards, Inc., supra at 575.
The third element requires the violation to be a proximate cause of the damages sustained. This requires St. Paul's practices to have proximately caused Lad's damages. [658]*658St. Paul contends that since Lad did not suffer any specific monetary damages, it has no cause of action under the act.
Damages, for purposes of the Consumer Protection Act, must be broadly construed so that the beneficial purpose of the act may be served.4
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McInturff, J.
Is a showing of actual monetary damages a prerequisite to an award of attorney's fees under the Consumer Protection Act? We hold that attorney's fees may be awarded independently, without a showing of actual monetary damages.
In September 1973, the Lad Irrigation Company (Lad) obtained insurance from the St. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance Company (St. Paul). The initial policy was effective for 3 years and was later extended by mutual agreement for an additional year. Premiums were to be paid on a composite rate basis.1 The policy provided that premiums could only be modified by a written endorsement issued by St. Paul and countersigned by a St. Paul agent and then only prospectively at or before the anniversary date.
In March 1974, in contravention of the policy language, St. Paul increased Lad's premiums and retroactively applied the increase back to September 1, 1973. St. Paul raised Lad's premiums in the same manner in March 1975 and March 1976. Lad, unaware of its rights under the policy, voluntarily paid the increased premiums. In July 1977, St. Paul sent Lad an estimated bill for the 1976-77 year which reflected an approximately 200 percent premium increase over the prior year. This premium adjustment was not included in an endorsement nor was it made at or before the anniversary date as required by the policy. Lad [655]*655refused to pay and St. Paul then agreed to charge the composite rate from the previous year.
In September 1977, St. Paul issued a 2-month binder to Lad. In November, a new policy was issued for the 1977-78 year. The trial court found this new policy failed to contain an endorsement which set the premium rate. However, St. Paul's underwriters advised its agents the premium would probably not increase more than 10 percent. In June 1978, St. Paul submitted its bill, which reflected a 280 percent premium increase to be applied retroactively. Lad refused to pay this premium.
St. Paul sued Lad and Arlie and Aurora Updegrave individually for the amount of the premium. Lad and the Updegraves counterclaimed, alleging St. Paul had overcharged in the past and had violated the Consumer Protection Act. RCW 19.86.
The trial court determined Lad owed St. Paul $7,430.80. This was the net amount owed for unpaid premiums. It also found St. Paul's attempts to change the premium amounts in the middle of an anniversary year without a valid endorsement and its overcharging in excess of the contracted premium rate constituted a per se violation of the Consumer Protection Act. The trial court specifically found St. Paul's practices to be in violation of its duty to act in good faith. On the basis of this per se violation, Lad was awarded $1,000 in treble damages plus $5,000 attorney's fees and $196.25 in costs.
Initially, St. Paul challenges various findings of fact made by the trial court. An appellate court will not substitute its judgment for that of the trial court when there is substantial evidence to support the trial court's findings. Beeson v. ARCO, 88 Wn.2d 499, 503, 563 P.2d 822 (1977); Thorndike v. Hesperian Orchards, Inc., 54 Wn.2d 570, 575, 343 P.2d 183 (1959). There is substantial evidence if there is sufficient evidence to persuade a fair-minded rational person of the truth of the declared premise. Beeson, at 503; In re Snyder, 85 Wn.2d 182, 185-86, 532 P.2d 278 (1975). We have considered the challenged findings, searched the [656]*656record, and find there is substantial evidence to support those findings of fact which are necessary to support the trial court's conclusions of law.2
The Consumer Protection Act declares unlawful any unfair or deceptive practices that occur in trade or commerce. RCW 19.86.020. A violation of the Consumer Protection Act may be proven by showing a per se violation. The elements of a per se violation are:
(1) the existence of a pertinent statute; (2) its violation; (3) that such violation was the proximate cause of damages sustained; and (4) that they were within the class of people the statute sought to protect.
Wilkinson v. Smith, 31 Wn. App. 1, 9, 639 P.2d 768 (1982); [657]*657Dempsey v. Joe Pignataro Chevrolet, Inc., 22 Wn. App. 384, 393, 589 P.2d 1265 (1979). Lad satisfied all of the elements of a per se violation.
The first element requires the existence of a pertinent statute. RCW 48.01.030 establishes a duty of good faith and fair dealing in all insurance matters:
The business of insurance is one affected by the public interest, requiring that all persons be actuated by good faith, abstain from deception, and practice honesty and equity in all insurance matters. Upon the insurer, the insured, and their representatives rests the duty of preserving inviolate the integrity of insurance.
The second element requires a showing that the pertinent statute has been violated. The trial court specifically found that St. Paul did not act in good faith. This is a factual question. Miller v. Indiana Ins. Cos., 31 Wn. App. 475, 479, 642 P.2d 769 (1982). The trial court's determination was based on its finding that St. Paul had overcharged Lad during the 1974-75 and 1975-76 policy years;3 that St. Paul attempted to increase Lad's premiums midway through the 1976-77 policy year in direct contravention of the policy; that St. Paul's underwriters advised its agent that the premium for the year commencing November 1, 1977, would not increase over 10 percent; that when St. Paul submitted its bill 6 months into the policy year, the bill reflected a 280 percent increase which was to be retroactively applied; and that Lad would not have purchased insurance from St. Paul had it been timely advised of the premium increase. The finding that St. Paul failed to act in good faith is supported by substantial evidence and should not be disturbed on appeal. Thorndike v. Hesperian Orchards, Inc., supra at 575.
The third element requires the violation to be a proximate cause of the damages sustained. This requires St. Paul's practices to have proximately caused Lad's damages. [658]*658St. Paul contends that since Lad did not suffer any specific monetary damages, it has no cause of action under the act.
Damages, for purposes of the Consumer Protection Act, must be broadly construed so that the beneficial purpose of the act may be served.4
The treble damage and reasonable attorneys' fees provisions of the Washington Act are designed to [provide] sufficient financial rewards to victorious consumers on two levels: (1) on the individual level, to enable the injured plaintiff to pursue his own claim; and, (2) on the public level, to reimburse the individual plaintiff and his counsel for enforcing the Act on behalf of the general citizenry.
Comment, Reasonable Attorneys' Fees and Treble Damages—Balancing the Scales of Consumer Justice, 10 Gonz. L. Rev. 593, 598 (1975).
The consumer need not show specific monetary damages to recover under the act. In Tallmadge v. Aurora Chrysler Plymouth, Inc., 25 Wn. App. 90, 605 P.2d 1275 (1979), a consumer purchased what had been advertised as a new car. It was not. Although the trial court found Mr. Tallmadge had sustained no actual damages, the award of attorney's fees pursuant to the Consumer Protection Act was upheld on appeal.
Although the trial judge did not award Tallmadge pecuniary damages, the record indicates that he suffered injuries for purposes of the Consumer Protection Act in that he was inconvenienced, deprived of the use and enjoyment of his property, and received an automobile with defects needing repair. The trial judge did not err in awarding attorney's fees.
(Italics ours.) Tallmadge, at 93-94.
In Tallmadge, the attorney's fees award was based on the consumer's inconvenience and the loss of his use and enjoyment of his property. The rationale underlying Tall[659]*659madge is even more compelling in the present case. Here, St. Paul's unfair and deceptive actions caused Lad to defend this lawsuit and to prosecute a counterclaim to establish St. Paul's consumer protection violations.
Tallmadge aptly pointed out the distinction between the common law concept of damages and damages as applied to the Consumer Protection Act. The consumer who is forced to defend an action which is premised upon unfair and deceptive acts will generally sustain damages for purposes of the Consumer Protection Act. These damages include the consumer's inconvenience, financial considerations such as loss of time in helping prepare the case, actual time spent in court, and litigation costs for attorney's fees, filing fees, investigative expenses, and expert witness fees.
Practically speaking, the greatest expense to be borne by a consumer in defending an action such as the present one is for attorney's fees. In this day when attorney's fees generally range from $50 to $150 per hour, any litigation demanding the talent and expertise of an attorney necessarily involves significant sums of money. For example, the trial court found a reasonable amount for Lad's attorney's fees in defending this suit and prosecuting its counterclaim was $5,000. To say that Lad has not been damaged for purposes of the Consumer Protection Act is to ignore the obvious.
The final element requires that Lad be within the class sought to be protected by the insurance code. As an insured under a policy issued by an insurance company doing business in this state, Lad is within this class. RCW 48.01.030; Salois v. Mutual of Omaha Ins. Co., 90 Wn.2d 355, 581 P.2d 1349 (1978).
The trial court properly found St. Paul's practices of overcharging and attempting to change premium amounts in the middle of an anniversary year to be recoverable per se violations of the Consumer Protection Act. The remedies available for such a violation are set forth in RCW 19.86.090:
[660]*660Any person . . . may bring a civil action in the superior court to enjoin further violations, to recover the actual damages sustained by him, or both, together with the costs of the suit, including a reasonable attorney's fee, and the court may in its discretion, increase the award of damages to an amount not to exceed three times the actual damages sustained: Provided, That such increased damage award for violation of RCW 19.86.020 may not exceed one thousand dollars.
(Some italics ours.)
This statute allows an aggrieved party to (1) bring a civil action for an injunction, and/or to recover his actual damages, and (2) to recover the costs of the suit which includes a reasonable attorney's fee. A recovery for the costs of the suit is not dependent upon the issuance of an injunction or the recovery of actual damages. Tallmadge v. Aurora Chrysler Plymouth, Inc., supra at 93-94.
RCW 19.86.090 also allows the trial court, in its discretion, to treble the award of damages to an amount up to $1,000. Lad did not prove that it suffered any monetary damages of a particular sum. In the absence of such a finding, the trial court's award of $1,000 for trebled damages is error. However, the failure to show actual monetary damages only precludes the recovery of treble damages. It does not act as a complete bar to a recovery under the act. Lad was properly awarded its costs of the suit which included the $5,000 attorney's fee award and $196.25 in costs.
The judgment of the Superior Court is affirmed in all respects with the exception of the $1,000 award for treble damages. The matter is remanded to that court for entry of judgment consistent with this opinion.
Green, J., concurs.