Louisiana House Bill HR165

Louisiana 2010 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/14/10
• Passed: 6/15/10

Caption

Urges and requests the state commissioner of insurance to investigate who will be responsible for property damage resulting from the oil spill

Impact

If acted upon, this resolution could prompt a review of insurance policies related to natural disasters and oil spills, ultimately seeking to clarify who is liable for property damage. It calls for accountability from British Petroleum, acknowledging their role in the oil's presence in the Gulf of Mexico. The resolution also emphasizes the toxic nature of oil, underscoring the importance of addressing long-term environmental consequences for land and wildlife in affected areas.

Summary

House Resolution 165 urges the Louisiana insurance commissioner to investigate the responsibilities regarding property damage stemming from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, particularly in the context of natural disasters like hurricanes or tropical storms. The resolution highlights the risk that such storms could propel oil onto coastal properties, resulting in significant damage. The document emphasizes the existing gap in homeowners' insurance coverage, which generally excludes damage caused by oil as a pollutant or from storm surges resulting from hurricanes.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HR165 appears to be largely supportive, advocating for accountability and protective measures for Louisiana citizens. Legislators and advocacy groups seem to view the resolution as a necessary step in ensuring that residents do not bear the financial burden of environmental disasters caused by corporate negligence. However, the potential implications for insurance companies and their coverage policies may lead to contention among stakeholders in the insurance industry.

Contention

Notable points of contention centered around the definition of liability and how insurance coverage could evolve in response to this resolution. Some concerns raised include whether the investigation would lead to necessary changes in homeowners’ policies to cover damages from oil spill incidents intertwined with natural disasters. Additionally, the complexity of insurance terms regarding pollutants and storm-related damage further complicates the debate, suggesting that finding a universal solution will be challenging.