Texas House Bill HB2267

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/26/11
• Introduced: 3/4/11
• Refer: 3/10/11
• Report Pass: 4/12/11

Caption

Relating to notice of acceptance or rejection of an insurance claim.

Impact

This bill represents a significant change in how insurance claims are processed in Texas, impacting both insurers and policyholders. It aims to reduce potential delays in claim payments and clarify the conditions under which insurers must notify claimants of acceptance or rejection. By streamlining the communication process, the bill is designed to enhance efficiency and provide clearer expectations for both insurers and claimants regarding the handling of claims.

Summary

House Bill 2267 addresses the notice requirements for insurance claims, specifically concerning the acceptance or rejection of such claims. The bill amends the Texas Insurance Code to streamline the process by which insurers can communicate their acceptance or rejection of a claim. If an insurer makes a full payment of the claim within 15 business days after receiving all necessary documentation, the payment acts as notice of acceptance without the need for additional notification. This includes a provision for cases where a claim may be related to arson, allowing up to 30 days for payment in those scenarios.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB2267 could stem from the implications of consolidating notice requirements. Some stakeholders might argue that the reduction in mandatory notice could disadvantage claimants who rely on timely communication regarding their claims. The bill's provisions regarding partial payments may also raise questions about transparency, particularly in how insurers are required to inform claimants of the reasons behind any rejections or partial payments.

Effective_date

The changes made by this Act are effective for claims filed on or after September 1, 2011, ensuring that existing claims continue to be governed by the previous laws.