Texas House Bill HB3589

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/28/11
• Introduced: 3/11/11
• Voted on by House: 5/15/11
• Refer: 3/23/11
• Report Pass: 4/21/11
• Engrossed: 5/15/11
• Refer: 5/16/11

Caption

Relating to claim-handling deadlines in the event of certain weather-related catastrophes or natural disasters.

Impact

By extending the deadlines for claim processing, HB3589 is intended to mitigate the strain on both insurers and policyholders after catastrophic events. This amendment aligns with the state's efforts to improve the overall accountability and reliability of the insurance industry during emergencies. It ensures that policyholders are not unduly pressured to settle claims hastily and that insurers are equipped to handle an influx of claims due to widespread disasters.

Summary

House Bill 3589 proposes amendments to the Texas Insurance Code, specifically addressing claim-handling deadlines in response to weather-related catastrophes or major natural disasters. The bill outlines that, in incidents where estimated losses exceed $5 million and total claims exceed 3,000 across all insurers, claim-handling deadlines will be extended by an additional 15 days. This measure aims to ensure that insurance providers have sufficient time to process claims following significant disasters, which can overwhelm their resources and complicate prompt customer service.

Contention

Potential areas of contention related to the bill may arise from the implications of extended deadlines for insurers. Opponents may argue that longer claim-handling periods could delay financial assistance to policyholders in urgent need after a disaster. Furthermore, the process for keeping claims confidential, as mandated by the bill, may raise concerns regarding transparency for affected individuals. Stakeholders from both the insurance industry and consumer advocacy groups could engage in discussions about how these amendments can balance insurer interests with the rights and needs of policyholders.