Texas House Bill HB2150

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to reporting to the Texas Department of Insurance certain information related to the denial of claims by personal automobile and residential property insurers.

Impact

If enacted, HB2150 would significantly enhance the transparency of the claims process for personal automobile and residential property insurance in Texas. By requiring the documentation of claims denials and the provision of reasons behind those denials, the bill seeks to reduce the instances of unwarranted claim denials and allow regulators and policymakers to identify patterns that may require legislative or regulatory attention. This change aims to protect consumers and promote fair treatment by insurers in the claims process.

Summary

House Bill 2150 addresses the issue of accountability in the personal automobile and residential property insurance sectors by mandating that insurers report certain information regarding claims to the Texas Department of Insurance. Specifically, the bill requires insurance companies to submit quarterly reports that include the total number of claims filed, the number of claims denied, and the reasons for any denial organized by zip code. This initiative is intended to provide better oversight of insurance practices and ensure that consumers have access to information regarding the claims process.

Contention

While the bill is generally viewed as a positive step towards consumer protection, there may be concerns from insurers regarding the administrative burden associated with the reporting requirements. Insurers will need to reorganize their claims processes to accommodate the mandated reporting, which could lead to pushback from industry groups citing potential operational or financial impacts. However, proponents argue that the long-term benefits of increased transparency and accountability justify these concerns, ultimately promoting consumer trust in the insurance industry.