MO HB719

Settlement demands or offers against insurers cannot be used as evidence in tort or breach of contract actions unless they meet specific requirements: written notice via certified mail, claimant affidavit describing injuries and damages, medical provider information, and an offer for a sum certain at or below policy limits

Settlement demands must remain open for 90 days from the date the insurer's representative signs the certified mail receipt

Insurers receiving settlement offers may seek clarification on terms, liens, medical records, and other relevant facts without such requests being deemed a counter offer

When an insurer breaches its duty to defend (without a final adjudication of bad faith), liability is capped at the policy limits plus reasonable attorney fees and court costs

The bill explicitly abrogates the Missouri Supreme Court decision in Columbia Cas. Co. v. HIAR Holding, LLC (2013), which had allowed damages exceeding policy limits for breach of duty to defend without requiring proof of bad faith