Bill
A 6807
Requires insurers of floodplain properties to cover damages from wave action and windblown waves, expanding protections for policyholders and influencing rates.
Status: REFERRED TO INSURANCE
Introduced: March 14, 2025
Sponsor: J. Gary Pretlow (primary)
Classification: bill
Related bills (prior sessions): A 2241, A 3504, A 2762, A 2522, A 3199, A 2590, A 2972, A 3249, A 3430
The bill appears to require insurers that insure property located in floodplains to include damages caused by wave action or windblown waves. In plain terms, it seeks to ensure that damages resulting from waves—whether directly overturning structures or causing related flood damages—are covered when insurers insure property in flood-prone areas.
The exact definitions, scope, and implementation details would be provided in the bill’s text. The title suggests a clarification or expansion of coverage terms for properties situated in floodplains.
Note: The precise statutory language, thresholds, definitions, and exclusions would be in the bill text. The following reflects the likely structural elements based on the title and common practice in insurance-related bills.
Coverage requirement: Insurers that insure properties in floodplains must include damages caused by wave action or windblown waves as part of covered perils or as a defined component of flood-related damage.
Applicability: The requirement would apply to policies issued for properties located in floodplains. The bill would specify which lines of insurance (e.g., homeowners, commercial property) are affected and whether it applies to new policies, renewals, or both.
Definitions: The bill would define terms such as “wave action” and “windblown waves,” and it would define what constitutes “property in floodplains” for purposes of the requirement.
Compliance and enforcement: Provisions would address how insurers demonstrate compliance, any oversight by the Department of Insurance, and potential penalties for noncompliance.
Effective date and transition: The bill would establish when the new requirement takes effect and whether there is a transition period for insurers to adjust forms, rates, and underwriting practices.
Consumer notices and disclosures: If required, the bill could mandate notices to insureds about the expanded or clarified coverage.
Insurers that issue property insurance policies for real property located in floodplains.
Policyholders and insured property owners located in floodplains who would gain coverage for damages from wave action or windblown waves under their insured policies.
Insurance producers, agents, and underwriting operations who handle floodplain properties.
State Department/Division of Insurance responsible for regulation and enforcement.
Coverage expansion: Likely broadens coverage to explicitly include wave-related damages for floodplain properties, which could affect policy forms and rate filings.
Premium and pricing effects: Expanding coverage could influence premium calculations; regulatory review would assess rate adequacy and impact on consumers.
Consumer protections: Clarified coverage could reduce gaps in protection for flood-prone properties and improve predictability for insureds.
Regulatory workload: Increased oversight and enforcement responsibilities for the Insurance Department.
Status currently shows a referral to the Insurance committee, indicating the bill has moved from introduction to committee review stage.
Introduced date matches the initial action date (March 14, 2025).
As a referred bill, its progression will depend on committee hearings, potential amendments, and eventual votes by the full chamber.
Review the full text of A 6807 to understand precise definitions, scope, exemptions, and the exact mechanism of the coverage requirement.
Monitor committee actions and amendments in the Insurance committee to see if the scope or implementation details change.
Consider related bills (A 2241, A 3504, A 2762, etc.) for historical context or potential complementary provisions from prior sessions.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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