Texas Senate Bill SB852

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to availability of certain property and casualty insurance forms.

Impact

The primary impact of SB852 is that it facilitates greater online access to insurance policy information, aligning with modern technological practices. This allows consumers to easily view and save their insurance forms online, addressing the growing demand for digital access to information. The bill requires that insurers notify their clients about the availability of these forms and provide an electronic or printed copy upon request, ensuring that consumers are adequately informed.

Summary

SB852 introduces significant changes to the way property and casualty insurance forms are made available to consumers in Texas. The bill allows insurers to post standardized forms, termed 'specimen policies', on their websites instead of requiring physical copies to be delivered to policyholders. This change aims to streamline the process for both insurers and insured parties, making policy forms more accessible and reducing the administrative burdens traditionally associated with insurance documentation.

Contention

While the bill is designed to enhance accessibility, there are potential points of contention regarding consumer protection and transparency. Critics may argue that relying solely on digital formats can disadvantage those without internet access or digital literacy. Furthermore, there is concern that electronic postings may lead to oversights regarding important policy changes, potentially leaving consumers uninformed about their coverage—especially if they fail to see the notifications or the posted policy amendments on the insurer's website.