By Davila H.B. No. 2487 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the time it takes to respond to an insurance claim and 1-3 to the notification process by the insurer. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Article 21.55, Insurance Code, is amended by 1-6 adding Section 2A to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 2A. (a) For purposes of this article, any 1-8 communication by a claimant about a claim to an agent, adjuster, or 1-9 other representative of the insurer constitutes notice of the 1-10 claim. 1-11 (b) If the claim is the result of a natural disaster or 1-12 other emergency, such as a hurricane or other storm, the insurer 1-13 shall act in a timely manner to ensure that the claimant is 1-14 provided adequate food, clothing, and shelter. An insurer that 1-15 fails to so act in a timely manner is liable in damages to the 1-16 claimant. 1-17 SECTION 2. The importance of this legislation and the 1-18 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 1-19 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 1-20 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 1-21 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 1-22 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 1-23 passage, and it is so enacted.