Latest news with #HouseCommitteeonInsurance
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Contractors might have to stop calling themselves ‘insurance claims specialists' under new proposal
(Photo credit: Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) Louisiana lawmakers have watered down a proposal that restricts how roofers and contractors can market services that help homeowners with their insurance claims. House Bill 121, sponsored by Rep. Roy Daryl Adams, D-Jackson, would limit both trades from saying they provide insurance claim services. The legislation also prohibits public adjusters from performing construction work in connection with the claims they handle. Adams' bill cleared the House in a 96-0 vote Tuesday without debate. His proposal is one of dozens filed, with the backing of insurance companies, that seek to lower homeowner's policy premiums in the state. The measure, as amended on the House floor, would prohibit residential construction contractors from advertising or soliciting work as 'insurance claims specialists,' a term that sometimes appears in their advertisements. In an April 23 hearing of the House Committee on Insurance, Adams said he hopes his measure will stop contractors from going door-to-door after storms to talk homeowners into filing insurance claims for roof work. The original version of the bill would have prohibited roofing contractors from assisting customers with their homeowner insurance claims. It also would have ended the use of contingency contracts, in which roofers agree to perform work only if the homeowner's insurance company approves their claim. Roofers could be banned from helping customers with insurance claims However, several roofers who testified against that iteration of the bill raised concerns that it could make it illegal to provide many of their routine services, such as communicating with insurance companies. Some customers want help dealing with their insurance companies and look to contractors to provide second opinions on an insurance company's damage assessments, Josh Lovell with Gator Roofing in Baton Rouge told lawmakers. Lovell told the committee he would be afraid to even say the word 'insurance' in the presence of a customer if Adams' bill became law. Some lawmakers have argued the proposal is necessary to prevent contractors from doing the work of public adjusters, who are independent claims assessors policyholders can hire for a fee to represent their interests. They are distinct from adjusters who work on behalf of insurance companies. After hearing roofers' concerns, Adams amended his bill to remove many of its restrictions and applied the prohibitions specifically to advertising and soliciting. At the same time, the amendment expanded the measure to apply to all residential contractors — not just roofers. When asked about the proposal Tuesday, Louisiana Home Builders Association lobbyist Michelle Shirley said her organization has taken a neutral position on Adams' bill. The other goal of the legislation is to prevent conflicts of interest for public adjusters who are also residential contractors. It would prohibit them from doing any kind work related to the insurance claims they handle. In short, they would no longer be able to adjust an insurance claim and then pay themselves to do the repair work for that claim. Adams' proposal is now pending in the Senate. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
American Press
26-04-2025
- Business
- American Press
Fight over insurance costs to hit House floor
Gov. Jeff Landry is dueling with Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple over the best ways to lower insurance rates for consumers. (Quinn Marceaux/LSU Manship School News Service) By Avery Sams | LSU Manship School News Service BATON ROUGE — Gov. Jeff Landry and Louisiana insurance commissioner Tim Temple are at odds over how to fix the state's insurance cost crisis–one of the most important issues being debated in the 2025 legislative session. Tensions have been high as the two men have held competing news conferences and took turns testifying before a House committee, and the fight could hit the House floor as early as Monday. Landry testified before the House Committee on Insurance on April 16 in support of House Bill 576, which would give Temple more power to block excess insurance rates. 'What we are here today to talk about is giving the insurance commissioner the ability to hang a Sword of Damocles over insurance companies so that when we make the adjustment in the tort law … our people get the benefits that we claim they should,' Landry said. 'The bill is not designed as a hammer for the insurance commissioner, the bill is designed as a safeguard.' Temple followed in direct opposition, not seeing the need to grant more power to himself or future commissioners. 'I think the system we have works,' Temple simply put. The bill would give more power to the commissioner to deny excessive insurance rates and discretion to decide what rates are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory. The committee advanced the bill on a 13-4 vote. Temple, who ran without opposition in 2023 and is not a Landry appointee, continued to oppose the governor's idea of a 'balanced approach' – requiring sacrifices from both insurance companies and the plaintiff's lawyers who sue them for damages. It is a rare these days to see such an open fight between a governor and another statewide official Several other bills advanced by the committee are also headed to the House floor, and lawmakers will have to decide on the best approach to easing or halting the rise in auto insurance rates that has angered consumers. House Bill 248, introduced by Rep. Roger William Wilder III, R-Denham Springs, also would give the commissioner more discretion – in this case to decide how information insurance companies could keep confidential and how much they must make public Temple, who has worked in the insurance industry, again opposed the bill introduced under Landry's agenda, followed by similar opposition from Ronnell Nolan, chief executive and president of Health Agents for America, a trade group. 'My issue is about power…The bill lacks a standard of what the commissioners can do and can't do,' Nolan said. In Temple's own opposition, he told the committee that he is concerned that this bill and others might hinder new companies from coming to Louisiana. 'We're trying to promote and encourage companies to come to Louisiana…We shouldn't be telling people this is a magic thing that will fix everything because it won't,' Temple said. The other insurance bills awaiting House floor debate include two that Temple supported. One was House Bill 440, which would eliminate the mandatory use of health insurance after a car accident. The bill goes on to say that in the case of a lawsuit and if the plaintiff chooses not to use their health insurance, the defendant would be able to presume that the plaintiff did not try to mitigate damages. Temple also favored House Bill 379, which would allow customers to opt for property arbitration regarding insurance property claims. Arbitration lets people handle their disputes outside of a traditional courtroom setting. Consumers would be offered certain discounts if they opt for this endorsement, but these clauses usually require that consumers waive their right to litigate in court. The House Insurance Committee advanced the bill 11-7 after back and forth between committee members and opponents like Luke Williamson, a trial lawyer. Williamson voiced concerns about how this might prey on consumers' lack of understanding that they are waiving their rights to litigate in hopes of receiving a discount from their insurer. 'I think it could increase the lawsuit process because it's [arbitration] too complicated,' Williamson said. But Rep. Gabe Firment, R-Pollock, countered: 'Aren't we to the point in our state where we can trust people to make decisions for themselves?' House Bill 549, which would provide premium discounts for commercial vehicles that install dashboard cameras and telematic systems, passed unanimously to be heard on the House floor. This is an effort to increase safety in commercial vehicles like semi-trucks and construction equipment and prevent questionable lawsuits against them.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Roofers could be banned from helping customers with insurance claims
A garage of a home on Ethel Street in Lake Charles is destroyed by Hurricane Laura. (Photo by Wes Muller/LA Illuminator, Saturday Aug. 29, 2020.) Louisiana lawmakers advanced a bill Wednesday that would prohibit roofing contractors from assisting homeowners with insurance claims. It would also stop insurance adjusters from performing construction work in connection with the claims they handle. House Bill 121, sponsored by Rep. Roy Daryl Adams, D-Jackson, unanimously cleared the House Committee on Insurance and goes next to the floor for consideration. The proposal is one of dozens that lawmakers have filed, with the backing of insurance companies, in an effort to try to lower coverage premiums in the state. The bill intends to prevent conflicts of interest with adjusters who are also residential contractors. It would also prohibit roofing contractors from providing, advertising or soliciting insurance claims handling services for their customers. Roofers would further have to end the use of contingency contracts in which they agree to perform work only if the homeowner's insurance company approves the cost. Adams said he hopes his measure will stop contractors from going door to door after a storm to talk homeowners into filing insurance claims for roof work. Several committee members praised the bill and asked Adams to amend it so that it applies to all types of construction contractors and subcontractors. However, several roofers testified in opposition to the proposal. Josh Lovell, a sales manager with Gator Roofing in Baton Rouge, said the bill would essentially make it illegal for him to help customers with a task they often want help with. Insurance companies will sometimes deny claims and leave homeowners unaware that they can challenge the denial or ask for a second opinion, which contractors can provide, he said. 'If we can't even talk about any of the process, then you're just giving all the power to the insurance company,' Lovell said. 'And do you trust insurance companies like that?' Johnathan Davis, a board member with the Residential Roofing Association of Louisiana, said contingency agreements and working with insurance companies are a vital part of his profession. Fortified roof grant program is proving effective in lowering homeowner insurance rates, audit finds 'I know there are good and bad companies just like every industry,' Davis said. 'I think that this would hurt everybody — not just the bad actors.' Committee Chairman Gabe Firment, R-Pollock, who works as an insurance consultant, said it's wrong for contractors to assist homeowners with insurance claims because it's not within their area of expertise. 'That is outside of what you're licensed to do,' Firment said. 'There's other avenues for the homeowner to take if there's a dispute.' There is a 'big problem' with shady contractors in the roofing industry who find damage where none actually exists, Firment added. 'I think we've got to get back to roofers being tradesmen and not salesmen,' he said. Rep. Chance Henry, R-Crowley, who owns an insurance agency, echoed Firment's statements, pointing out that homeowners can hire public adjusters to handle any disputes that might arise. Public adjusters are independent claims assessors whom policyholders can hire to represent their interests as opposed to adjusters who work on behalf of insurance companies. They typically charge homeowners a fee of around 15% of the final settled claim amount. Davis with the roofers' association challenged the lawmakers' stance, saying adjusters are experts in interpreting insurance policies but are not generally the most knowledgeable on roof construction and damage assessments. Many homeowners are hesitant to hire a public adjuster because it can be costly, usually escalates the claim and adds another layer to the process, he said. The bill's provisions are so ambiguous, according to Davis, they could make it illegal for roofers just to send damage estimates to an insurance adjuster. 'I don't want to be in court one day defending sending an … estimate to an adjuster,' he said. Lovell said he would be afraid to even say the word 'insurance' in the presence of a customer if the bill becomes law. Hearing their concerns, Firment said the bill might need to be amended to better define some provisions so roofers aren't blocked from offering some of their routine services. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Texas House considering allowing employers to provide less health insurance
In most cases, your health insurance must cover a list of certain services such as cancer screenings even if you get it from your employer. The proposed Texas House Bill 139 could remove that requirement and let a company provide an "Employer Choice of Benefits Plan" that does not provide all those state-mandated services. The bill was filed by Rep. Jay Dean, R-Longview, who is the chair of the House Committee on Insurance. Dean's office did not respond to questions from the American-Statesman on the bill. State-mandated services include: Providing coverage for newborn children, students, adopted children and certain grandchildren. This includes children up to age 26. Supplies and services for diabetes care Serious mental illness coverage Childhood vaccines Hearing screenings Covering an out-of-network specialist when an in-network specialist is not available Cancer screenings, including mammograms, colonoscopy or other colon cancer screenings, pap smears and prostate cancer screenings. The health benefit plan would have to share with employees this disclaimer: "This Employer Choice of Benefits Plan, either wholly or partly, does not provide state-mandated health benefits normally required in health benefit plans in Texas. This employer health benefit plan may provide a more affordable health benefit plan for you, although, at the same time, it may provide you with fewer health benefits than those normally included as state-mandated health benefits in health benefit plans in Texas. Please consult with your insurance agent to discover which state-mandated health benefits are excluded from this health benefit plan." The plan then has to give a list of mandated health benefits it is not providing. If this bill becomes law on Sept. 1, "it would allow insurers to offer plans that fail to meet basic expectations that most Texas patients have," said Katherine McLane, spokesperson of Texas Coalition for Patients. She said the coalition believes this legislation would "throw away" 35 bills of protection from the past five legislative sessions. The employer choice of benefits plan still would have to follow federal rules set by the Affordable Care Act, which does include preventative cancer screenings, newborn screenings and vaccines, for example. The coalition worries that as the ACA continues to be attacked at the federal level, Texans can't rely on federal law to continue to uphold health care insurance protections, said the coalition's Talan Tyminski. "Mental health, children's health care, those would all be gone," she said. Dean has another bill that also has the coalition frustrated. HB 138 would create the Health Impact, Cost and Coverage Analysis Program that would create a report of any added cost that mandated health legislation would have on insurance providers or the state, as well as individuals. That report also would analyze if the legislation would increase or decrease the use of health services. The Center for Health Care Data at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston would create the report, but McLane worries patients and providers would be left out of the decision-making. "This has the stink of big insurance all over it," she said. "We can't exclude patients and Texans from it and (from) taking a wholistic view of health care." This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Employer health insurance bill in Texas could reduce coverage mandates
