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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to claim-handling deadlines in the event of certain |
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weather-related catastrophes or natural disasters. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 542.059, Insurance Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsections (c), (d), and (e) to |
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read as follows: |
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(b) In the event of a weather-related catastrophe or major |
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natural disaster in which the commissioner estimates the amount of |
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losses will total at least $5 million and the number of claims will |
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total at least 3,000 in the aggregate for all insurers [as defined
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by the commissioner], the claim-handling deadlines imposed under |
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this subchapter are extended for an additional 15 days. |
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(c) The department shall issue a bulletin to notify insurers |
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of an extension under Subsection (b) not later than the fifth day |
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after the date the weather-related catastrophe or major natural |
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disaster occurs. The department may request information from an |
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insurer about the insurer's estimated amount of losses or total |
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number of claims. Information that an insurer voluntarily provides |
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to the department under this section is confidential and not |
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subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code. |
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(d) In the event that the governor issues a disaster |
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declaration under Section 418.014, Government Code, a |
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claim-handling deadline under this subchapter is extended for an |
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additional 15 days for a county specified in the declaration. The |
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department shall issue a bulletin to notify insurers of an |
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extension under this subsection. |
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(e) If both Subsections (b) and (d) apply, the |
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claim-handling deadlines imposed under this subchapter are |
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extended for a total of 30 days. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |