Property and casualty insurance; requiring written permission for filing claim on behalf of insured and for insurer to accept claim. Effective date.
Impact
The bill, upon enactment, will impact the interactions between roofing contractors and insurance providers. By requiring written consent, the legislation seeks to prevent any unauthorized claims, thereby protecting the rights of policyholders. This move is also intended to streamline the claims process, ensuring that only appropriate claims are submitted, which could benefit insurance companies by reducing fraudulent or undesired claims. Furthermore, this requirement aligns with efforts to enhance transparency in the handling of insurance claims.
Summary
Senate Bill 1257 introduces new requirements regarding the filing of insurance claims by roofing contractors in Oklahoma. It specifically mandates that roofing contractors must obtain express written permission from the insured before they can file an insurance claim on behalf of the insured for services rendered. Additionally, property and casualty insurance providers are prohibited from accepting claims from any entity other than the insured unless they have that express permission. This measure aims to clarify the roles and responsibilities of roofing contractors and insurers when it comes to insurance claims.
Contention
The introduction of SB1257 may generate discussions among various stakeholders in the roofing and insurance industries. Roofing contractors might express concerns regarding the additional administrative burden imposed by the need for written permission from insured clients. On the other hand, insurers may appreciate the bill as a step towards mitigating improper claims and enhancing policyholder protections. However, debates could arise around the practicality of obtaining such permissions—it might complicate the claims process and create delays in repairs for homeowners, ultimately leading to contention between expediency and legal compliance.
Health insurance; requiring insurer to provide specific reason for denial of claims; authorizing certain persons to submit written appeal after denial. Effective date.
Requires the insurer to provide upon written request of the insured claim file for certain records in connection with an unsettled property insurance claim. (8/1/23)