HB20-1076 Summary

• Commissioner of Insurance must hold administrative hearings on policy breach allegations within 60 days of request, at no fee to either party, following small claims court procedures.

• Commissioner may award treble damages and attorney fees to insured parties if determining an insurer breached an enforceable policy; determinations are admissible as evidence in subsequent civil actions.

• Courts cannot charge plaintiffs fees for jury trials in wrongful claim denial cases and insurers cannot file summary judgment or directed verdict motions if plaintiff requests a jury trial.

• Courts must award treble damages, court costs, and attorney fees against insurers found to have wrongfully denied claims in bad faith.

• Unilateral changes or cancellations of prepaid insurance policies before renewal are declared unfair or deceptive insurance practices.