|
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Six months after the catastrophic wildfires that destroyed over 2,500 homes in the Rogue Valley, many residents are experiencing issues with their insurance claims and need expert guidance to navigate through negotiations and disputes.
I am teaming up United Policyholders, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group, to provide guidance and support for wildfire survivors with problems or questions regarding insurance claims.
After hearing from constituents with insurance issues that hinder their recovery, it has become apparent that we need long-term fixes, so that the next time disaster strikes, Oregonians can expect better insurance flexibility and more consumer protections. I have proposed HB 3272 to help resolve these issues.
Learn more here about the events and the bill:
As always, please reach to my office with your thoughts, concerns or questions.
Best,
 State Representative
Oregon House District 5 - Southern Jackson County
Online Workshop - Tuesday, March 23, 6-7 PM
This free, virtual event will provide guidance about documenting and valuing losses, strategizing claim negotiations, and resolving disputes regarding loss estimates and coverage. Legal Aid Services of Oregon and Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services will be on hand to answer questions and share information. Simultaneous Spanish translation will be available. Registration link: www.uphelp.org/mar23
Legal Help Clinic - Wednesday, March 31, 2-5 PM
Free, one-on-one online consultation with an insurance attorney volunteer. Examples of insurance-related legal problems include underinsurance, unfair claim handling, replacement cost disputes, unreasonable delays and low estimates/offers. A limited number of appointment clinics are available. Registration link: www.uphelp.org/mar31
Consumers need statutory protections to ensure that insurance policies and industry practices protect them when trying to recover after a personal or widespread disaster.
I have proposed HB 3272 (bill text) which makes the following changes to Oregon statutes to ensure that policies meet the needs of individuals experiencing catastrophic loss:
- Requires a minimum of two years to rebuild a burned or destroyed home, and up to two years of living expenses. These minimums would be increased to 3 years after a State Declared Emergency.
- Requires insurance companies to offer or provide an updated estimate of replacement cost with every other renewal of the policy.
- Allows homeowners to rebuild or buy in a new location.
- Allows homeowners to collect combined structure coverage limits to rebuild a home. Homeowners would be allowed to use the limit of coverage for outbuildings and other structures, up to the amount actual loss, to rebuild the home.
HB 3272 ensures that consumers have a fair opportunity to hold agents and companies accountable for bad business practices:
- Provides consumers with a right of action against an insurance company for violation of Unfair Claims Settlement Practices. Without a right of action, a policy holder has no effective way to hold the company accountable when good practices are violated.
- Creates a duty of care for individual agents to ensure that consumers can pursue claims when an agent engages in unreasonable acts or omissions. The duty of care is already in place for agents who work with multiple insurance companies; HB 3272 would apply this standard to agents that work with a single company.
HB 3272 is currently assigned to the House Committee on Business and Labor, and still has a long way to go to be passed into law. To follow along with the progress of this bill, e-subscribe to HB 3272 here.
Contact Rep. Pam Marsh
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1405
District Phone: 541-282-4516
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-375, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.PamMarsh@oregonlegislature.gov
Website and e-Subscribe: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/marsh
| 
