|
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
relating to prohibiting insurers from requiring the tying of |
|
residential property and personal automobile insurance policies. |
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
SECTION 1. Chapter 551, Insurance Code, is amended by |
|
adding Subchapter F to read as follows: |
|
SUBCHAPTER F. CONTINGENCY OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY AND PERSONAL |
|
AUTOMOBILE POLICIES |
|
Sec. 551.251. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter, "personal |
|
automobile insurance" and "residential property insurance" have |
|
the meanings assigned by Section 38.002. |
|
Sec. 551.252. APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER. This subchapter |
|
applies to an authorized insurer writing property and casualty |
|
insurance in this state, including: |
|
(1) a county mutual insurance company; |
|
(2) a Lloyd's plan; |
|
(3) a reciprocal or interinsurance exchange; |
|
(4) a farm mutual insurance company; and |
|
(5) a fire or casualty insurance company. |
|
Sec. 551.253. EXEMPTIONS. This subchapter does not apply |
|
to: |
|
(1) an insurance policy delivered, issued for |
|
delivery, or renewed by the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association; |
|
(2) a flood insurance policy delivered, issued for |
|
delivery, or renewed under the National Flood Insurance Program; or |
|
(3) a personal umbrella insurance policy. |
|
Sec. 551.254. REQUIRED TYING OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY AND |
|
PERSONAL AUTOMOBILE POLICIES. (a) It is an unfair method of |
|
competition or an unfair or deceptive act or practice in the |
|
business of insurance under Chapter 541 to: |
|
(1) make the issuance, delivery, or renewal of a |
|
residential property insurance policy contingent on the purchase of |
|
a personal automobile insurance policy from the same insurer or an |
|
affiliated insurer; or |
|
(2) make the issuance, delivery, or renewal of a |
|
personal automobile insurance policy contingent on the purchase of |
|
a residential property insurance policy from the same insurer or an |
|
affiliated insurer. |
|
(b) Notwithstanding Subchapter D, Chapter 541, or any other |
|
law, a person may not bring a private action against an insurer or |
|
an agent or representative of an insurer for a method, act, or |
|
practice described by this section. This subsection does not limit |
|
the authority of the attorney general to bring an action as provided |
|
by Subchapter E or F, Chapter 541. |
|
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
______________________________ |
______________________________ |
|
President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
|
|
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 213 passed the Senate on |
|
March 27, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0; and that |
|
the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 26, 2025, by the |
|
following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
|
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
Secretary of the Senate |
|
|
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 213 passed the House, with |
|
amendment, on May 21, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 145, |
|
Nays 1, two present not voting. |
|
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
Chief Clerk of the House |
|
|
|
|
|
Approved: |
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
Governor |