In 2014, Washington legislators will examine legislation that will authorize insurers to conduct all transactions with policyholders over the Internet, including applications, renewals, non-renewals and cancelations, according to the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America. The bill also allows insurers to post generic policy forms and endorsements on a publicly available website in lieu of providing a copy directly to each policyholder.
PCI supports the legislation, which is authored by State Rep. Derek Stanford (D-Bothell), and said public policymakers around the country recognize the benefits of having insurance policies available electronically. In 2013, 13 states — Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin — approved laws allowing consumers to access their insurance policy through a website. Also in 2013, 17 states — Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and West Virginia approved legislation allowing electronic delivery of documents and notices.
“We are supporting HB 2662 in order to give consumers the flexibility and options they want. This bill will give consumers a choice if they want to receive their insurance documents through regular mail or via email,” said Kenton Brine, PCI assistant VP. “Insurance policies are well suited to be posted on the web. Policies are frequently 40 to 50 pages long. HB 2662 will enable insurers to post those policy contracts on a website so policyholders don’t have to store a paper copy but can still access the policy 24/7.”
