By: Geren H.B. No. 359
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to recovery under uninsured and underinsured motorist
insurance coverage.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 1952, Insurance Code, is
amended by adding Sections 1952.1061, 1952.1062, and 1952.1063 to
read as follows:
Sec. 1952.1061. NOTICE OF CLAIM FOR UNFAIR SETTLEMENT
PRACTICE. For the purpose of Section 541.060, an insured may
provide notice of a claim for uninsured or underinsured motorist
coverage by providing a written notification to the insurer that
reasonably informs the insurer of the facts of the claim.
Sec. 1952.1062. LEGAL DETERMINATION NOT PREREQUISITE TO
RECOVERY FOR UNFAIR SETTLEMENT PRACTICE. A judgment or other legal
determination establishing the other motorist's liability or the
extent of the insured's damages is not a prerequisite to recovery in
an action under Section 541.151 for a violation of Section 541.060.
Sec. 1952.1063. LIMITATION ON EXTRA-CONTRACTUAL CAUSES OF
ACTION. In regard to a claim for uninsured or underinsured motorist
coverage, the only extra-contractual cause of action available to
an insured is provided by Section 541.151 to recover damages under
Section 541.152 for a violation of Section 541.060.
SECTION 2. (a) Except as provided by this section, the
change in law made by this Act applies only to a cause of action that
accrues on or after the effective date of this Act. A cause of
action that accrues before the effective date of this Act is
governed by the law in effect immediately before that date, and that
law is continued in effect for that purpose.
(b) The change in law made by this Act does not affect the
enforceability of any provision in an insurance policy delivered,
issued for delivery, or renewed before January 1, 2022, that
conflicts with the change in law made by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.