Bill Text: TX HB3208 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Enrolled


Bill Title: Relating to the refund of premiums on the cancellation of Texas Windstorm Insurance Association policies by insureds.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)

Status: (Passed) 2023-06-10 - Effective on 9/1/23 [HB3208 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB3208-Enrolled.html
 
 
  H.B. No. 3208
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the refund of premiums on the cancellation of Texas
  Windstorm Insurance Association policies by insureds.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 2210.204, Insurance Code, is amended by
  amending Subsections (d) and (e) and adding Subsections (d-1),
  (d-2), and (d-3) to read as follows:
         (d)  If an insured requests cancellation of the insurance
  coverage, the association shall refund the unearned premium only if
  the cancellation was for one of the following reasons:
               (1)  the purchase of similar coverage in the voluntary
  market;
               (2)  sale of the insured property to an unrelated
  party;
               (3)  total loss of the insured property; or
               (4)  a determination by the association that the
  insured property is no longer insurable under the association's
  rules and procedures[, less any minimum retained premium set forth
  in the plan of operation, payable to the insured and the holder of
  an unpaid balance].
         (d-1)  The property and casualty agent who received a
  commission as the result of the issuance of an association policy
  providing the [canceled] coverage canceled under Subsection (d)
  shall refund the agent's commission on any unearned premium in the
  same manner.
         (d-2)  An insured must provide proof in the form and manner
  prescribed by the association of a cancellation reason described by
  Subsection (d)(1), (2), or (3) to be eligible for a refund under
  that subsection.
         (d-3)  If an insured requests cancellation for a reason other
  than a reason described by Subsection (d) or fails to provide proof
  under Subsection (d-2), the insured's premium is considered earned
  and is not refundable.
         (e)  For cancellation of insurance coverage under this
  section, the minimum retained premium in the plan of operation must
  be for a period of not less than the full annual policy term [90
  days], except for events specified in the plan of operation that
  reflect a significant change in the exposure or the policyholder
  concerning the insured property, including:
               (1)  the purchase of similar coverage in the voluntary
  market;
               (2)  sale of the property to an unrelated party;
               (3)  death of the policyholder; or
               (4)  total loss of the property.
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to a Texas windstorm and hail insurance policy that is delivered,
  issued for delivery, or renewed by the Texas Windstorm Insurance
  Association on or after the effective date of this Act. A policy
  delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed before the effective
  date of this Act is governed by the law as it existed immediately
  before that date, and that law is continued in effect for that
  purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 3208 was passed by the House on May 6,
  2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 117, Nays 17, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 3208 was passed by the Senate on May
  19, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 26, Nays 5.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor       
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