An Act relating to homeowner insurance policy

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by John Barrett

Requires a 60-day minimum between cancellation notice and the cancellation taking effect for Massachusetts homeowners policies, protecting policyholders and delaying insurer/JUA cancellations.

Summary: An Act relating to homeowner insurance policy (HD 2495)

Overview

This proposed Massachusetts bill would amend Chapter 175 of the General Laws to restrict the cancellation of homeowner insurance policies. Specifically, it adds a new section to ensure insurers and the joint underwriting association (JUA) cannot cancel a homeowners policy less than 60 days after notifying the policyholder of the cancellation.

Authorized by: Representative John Barrett, III (North Adams) and filed in the 2025-2026 General Court.

Key Provisions

Insertion of new Section 4C½ into Chapter 175, following existing Section 4C.

Prohibition: No insurer licensed to write homeowners insurance in the Commonwealth, nor the joint underwriting association formed under Chapter 175C, shall cancel a homeowners insurance policy within fewer than 60 days of notification to the policyholder of cancellation.

Scope: Applies to both privately insured homeowners and the JUA operating under Massachusetts law.

Exact language (summary of the text):
- The bill would insert Section 4C½ after Section 4C, establishing a 60-day minimum period between the date a policyholder receives cancellation notification and the date the cancellation takes effect.

Affected Parties

Policyholders: Homeowners insured by Massachusetts-licensed insurers or by the MAssachusetts JUA would gain a minimum 60-day window after cancellation notice.

Insurers and the Joint Underwriting Association: Required to adjust cancellation timelines and notification processes to ensure at least 60 days elapse before cancellation becomes effective.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Legislative Status: The bill is a proposed measure in the Massachusetts General Court. Specific status, voting history, or an enacted effective date is not provided in the excerpt.

Effective Date: Not stated in the text provided. If enacted, the effective date would be determined by the Legislature or the bill’s final language.

Implementation: Insurers and the JUA would need to modify policies, forms, and cancellation procedures to comply with the 60-day requirement.

Potential Impact and Considerations

Consumer Protection: Gives policyholders more time to secure replacement coverage and respond to cancellation notices, potentially reducing gaps in coverage.

Administrative Burden: Insurers may need to adjust systems, communications, and workflow to ensure proper timing of notices and cancellations.

Market Effects: Could influence market stability for homeowners insurance by reducing abrupt cancellation incidents, especially in volatile markets.

Non-Substantive Details: The text does not specify penalties for noncompliance or a defined enforcement mechanism; it focuses on the mandatory timing requirement.

If you’d like, I can provide a concise comparison to existing Massachusetts policies on cancellations or draft a one-paragraph layperson summary for distribution.