AUTO INSURANCE REFORM BILLS IN 2024

House Bill No. 315 by Representative Mike Johnson
Summary: Extends prescriptive period for tort claims to 2 years.

House Bill No. 337 by Representative Jack McFarland
Summary: Provides that in direct action cases, an action is filed against the insured first and may be filed directly against the insurer under limited circumstances.

Senate Bill No. 323 by Senator Kirk Talbot
Summary: Provides for fair claims processing by establishing definitions, procedures, and penalties related to insurance claims settlement practices, particularly following catastrophic events.

Senate Bill No. 499 by Senator Mike Reese
Summary: Introduces a selection form requirement for uninsured motorist coverage and creates specific conditions for commercial automobile insurance policies.

House Bill No. 784 by Representative Rodney Schamerhorn
Summary: Makes livestock owners strictly liable for damages caused by escaped livestock, with exceptions for unforeseeable events, no owner fault, or third-party provocation. Aligns livestock liability with the rules for dog ownership regarding preventable damages. Creates immunity in some instances.

House Bill No. 785 by Representative Rodney Schamerhorn
Summary: Limits liability for commercial motor vehicle stakeholders for not installing non-mandatory optional equipment. Exempts these parties from negligence claims based on the absence of such equipment, except when involving mandatory recall failures.

Senate Bill No. 10 by Senator Thomas Pressly
Summary: Provides for the recognition of separate legal personalities among affiliated corporations and other business entities.

Senate Bill No. 355 by Senator Jeremy Stine
Summary: Provides for regulation of litigation funding by a third party that is a foreign person, state, or wealth fund.

Senate Bill No. 337 by Senator Gerald Boudreaux
Summary: Mandates that insurers provide a 25% premium discount on automobile insurance policies to military reservists, in addition to active duty, Louisiana Air National Guard, and Army National Guard personnel. Also allows insurers offering this discount to such groups, as well as retired military and veterans with a disability of 50% or more, to receive corresponding tax credits, with any excess considered refundable overpaid taxes.

House Bill No. 383 by Representative Jay Galle
Summary: Establishes that a pedestrian illegally blocking a roadway cannot pursue legal action against a motor vehicle operator for injuries, death, or damage, except in cases of intentional acts, if the operator uses the vehicle to escape perceived imminent danger.

Senate Bill No. 84 by Senator Alan Seabaugh
Summary: Specifies that only defendants can serve offers of judgment to plaintiffs, and if a final judgment favors the defendant or is at least 25% less than the defendant’s offer, the plaintiff must pay the defendant’s costs and attorney fees. Also clarifies that defendants can make offers of judgment after liability has been determined but before damages are assessed.

House Bill No. 589 by Representative Jay Galle
Summary: Requires a check with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse on all applications for the transfer, issuance, renewal, or upgrade of a commercial driver's license or commercial learner's permit

House Bill No. 375 by Representative Mandie Landry BOTH AUTO & PROPERTY
Summary: Mandates that insurers providing homeowners' or private passenger motor vehicle insurance in Louisiana must disclose all available premium discounts in written form and electronically or within policy documents at inception and renewal.

Offered to sign into law legislation that would reduce jury threshold to zero

Offered to sign into law legislation that would have allowed court to award 30% 

 

PROPERTY INSURANCE REFORM BILLS IN 2024

House Bill No. 120 by Representative Matthew Willard
Summary: Removes the termination date of the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program which allows the program to continue indefinitely.

House Bill No. 611 by Representative Gabe Firment
Summary: Revises homeowners' insurance regulations, specifically restricting nonrenewal policies and allowing modifications to policy deductibles. Also introduces new provisions for insurers to nonrenew a limited percentage of policies and deem certain nonrenewal plans as proprietary information.

Senate Bill No. 295 by Senator Heather Cloud
Summary: Streamlines the approval process related to property and casualty insurance by setting specific deadlines for the commissioner to approve or disapprove rate filings, and adding provisions for public hearings and remedies for inadequate or discriminatory rates.

House Bill No. 520 by Representative Gabe Firment
Summary: Requires that insurers must provide the original field adjuster's repair estimate to an insured upon written request and disclose the identity of any person who made subsequent revisions to that estimate.

House Bill No. 701 by Representative Kim Carver
Summary: Enacts the Insurance Regulatory Sandbox Act allowing the commissioner of insurance to grant waivers for innovative insurance products and services. Sets a framework for application, disclosure, public notice, and monitoring.

House Bill No. 428 by Representative Delisha Boyd
Summary: Allows Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance policyholders to opt out of coverage for personal and movable property in exchange for a potentially reduced premium.

House Bill No. 144 by Representative Brian Glorioso
Summary: Prohibits insurers from issuing property insurance policies that include the value of unimproved land or coverage limits exceeding 100% of the replacement cost of improvements on immovable property.

House Bill No. 609 by Representative Gabe Firment
Summary: Establishes regulations for the registration, qualifications, and responsibilities of appraisers and umpires, including fee collections and guidelines to prevent conflicts of interest. Mandates that appraisers and umpires must be registered with the commissioner of insurance and details the structured process for appraisals and the payment of awards.

Senate Bill No. 113 by Senator Kirk Talbot
Summary: Limits the liability and penalties for the Louisiana Insurance Guaranty Association and Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, while also adjusting premium rate regulations for Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance to offer temporary rate relief amidst the ongoing residential property insurance crisis in Louisiana.

Senate Bill No. 484 by Senator Royce Duplessis
Summary: Allows the commissioner of insurance to apply for additional funding, enter into agreements with public and private entities, require random reinspections, and maintain confidentiality of certain information in regards to the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program.

House Bill No. 375 by Representative Mandie Landry BOTH PROPERTY & AUTO
Summary: Mandates that insurers providing homeowners' or private passenger motor vehicle insurance in Louisiana must disclose all available premium discounts in written form and electronically or within policy documents at inception and renewal. 

 

OTHER INSURANCE REFORM BILLS IN 2024

House Bill No. 2 by Representative Tony Bacala *Second Extraordinary Session **
Summary: Prohibits civil claims against peace officers and certain public entities based upon the conduct or actions of a peace officer in performance of any discretionary function within the course and scope of his law enforcement duties.

House Bill No. 651 by Representative Jacob Braud
Summary: Enhances the subpoena powers of the commissioner of insurance, including new provisions for investigating fraudulent insurance acts and compelling document production.

House Bill No. 399 by Representative Chance Henry
Summary: Mandates that all persons licensed by the commissioner of insurance and authorized risk-bearing entities in Louisiana provide, and annually update, specific contact and financial information for oversight purposes. Also requires detailed annual reporting on anti-fraud activities by insurers and health maintenance organizations.