LA HB765

Allows a liability insurer to be joined as a party defendant at the time of final judgment or settlement solely for purposes of entering judgment or enforcing settlement, when direct action is not otherwise authorized by law

Prohibits joinder of an insurer that timely denied coverage or reserved rights unless there has been a prior court adjudication finding coverage exists

Requires plaintiffs seeking to join an insurer post-verdict to first file a separate petition to establish coverage and obtain a favorable ruling before joinder

Mandates insurers provide written notice of reservation of rights to the insured within 90 days after determining a coverage defense exists

Requires insurers to notify all counsel of record within 60 days thereafter (but no later than 30 days before trial) that a reservation of rights has been issued and whether the insurer is refusing to defend or defending under reservation