CT SB00090

Requires homeowners and commercial general liability insurers operating in Connecticut to establish loan programs for policyholders to remove hazardous trees from insured residential and commercial properties, effective January 1, 2013.

Allows policyholders to request municipal tree wardens, borough wardens, city foresters, or similar officials to inspect trees that may pose hazards to public rights-of-way, utility infrastructure, or insured structures, with inspections scheduled within 60 calendar days of request.

Requires tree wardens to certify within 10 business days whether inspected trees pose present or potential hazards based on age, condition, disease, species risk factors, or location vulnerabilities, with findings provided to the policyholder in writing.

Upon receiving a hazard certification letter from the tree warden, insurers must provide loan applications within 5 business days and loan agreements within 5 business days of receiving completed applications, allowing policyholders to select licensed contractors for removal.

Authorizes insurers to pursue civil action to recover unpaid loan amounts with 10 business days' notice, and empowers the Insurance Commissioner to impose civil penalties up to $3,000 for non-payment, with joint regulations to be adopted by the Commissioners of Energy and Environmental Protection and Insurance by January 1, 2013.