83R9341 PMO-F
By: Smithee H.B. No. 1401
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to extending claim-handling deadlines after certain
emergency declarations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 542.059, Insurance Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read as
follows:
(b) Claim-handling [In the event of a weather-related
catastrophe or major natural disaster, as defined by the
commissioner, the claim-handling] deadlines imposed under this
subchapter are extended for an additional 15 days on the date that:
(1) the governor declares a state of natural disaster
under Section 418.014, Government Code; or
(2) if the governor does not declare a state of natural
disaster under Section 418.014, Government Code, the commissioner
declares a weather-related catastrophe under Subsection (c).
(c) The commissioner shall declare a weather-related
catastrophe if the commissioner determines that, for all insurers
writing insurance in an area designated by the commissioner and
defined by reasonable boundaries, as of the date of the declaration
a weather-related event resulted in, or may reasonably be expected
to result in:
(1) $50 million or more in aggregate insured losses;
or
(2) 3,000 or more claims.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.