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.