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S 702

Relates to the appointment and reporting duties of the superintendent of the state police and to the appointment of employees of the state police

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jamaal Bailey and 5 co-sponsors

Allows insurers to appoint temporary qualified appraisers during declared claims emergencies to speed auto-damage claim handling.

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Bill Summary · S 702

Summary — S 702: Appointing Temporary Qualified Appraisers for Auto-Insurance Damage

Purpose

S 702 (Senate No. 702) authorizes insurers to appoint temporary “qualified appraisers” to help resolve motor-vehicle damage claims arising from declared emergencies. The bill is intended to accelerate claims handling and increase the available pool of appraisers following severe weather or other events that create a surge in auto-insurance claims.

Key provisions

  • Amends Section 8G of Chapter 26 of the Massachusetts General Laws by adding a paragraph allowing temporary appraiser appointments during a declared claims emergency.
  • Triggers: an emergency declaration by the Governor or a declaration by the Commissioner of Insurance that “severe weather conditions or other circumstances have resulted in a claims emergency.”
  • Appointment process: an insurer may appoint temporary qualified appraisers by notifying “the Board” in writing, electronically, or by facsimile.
  • Who qualifies:
    • Appraisers licensed in another state; or
    • Appraisers who work for an insurer doing business in Massachusetts and who regularly appraise motor vehicles in a state where an appraiser license is not required.
  • Legal effect: a qualified appraiser so appointed “shall be considered licensed for all purposes of this section” during the emergency.
  • Termination: the temporary licensed status ends when the Commissioner of Insurance determines temporary appraisers are no longer required.
  • Effective date: the act takes effect upon enactment.

Who is affected

  • Insurers writing motor-vehicle policies in Massachusetts — gain authority to expand appraiser use during emergencies.
  • Appraisers — out-of-state or insurer-employed appraisers may perform appraisals in Massachusetts under temporary authorization.
  • Policyholders — likely to experience faster claim handling after storms or disasters; consumer protection and oversight implications depend on implementation.
  • The Board and the Commissioner of Insurance — receive notifications and have authority to end the temporary regime.

Procedural status and timeline (as provided)

  • Introduced: February 25, 2025 (filed 1/14/2025 in the Senate Docket No. 614).
  • Referred: Committee on Financial Services; also shows referral/actions involving Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and Finance in the record.
  • Hearings: held March 11, 2025; additional hearing scheduled May 27, 2025.
  • Reported: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs ordered to be reported without amendment favorably (record dated July 30, 2025).
  • Effective upon enactment if passed.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Pros: Can reduce claim backlogs and speed payments after disasters by expanding the pool of available appraisers and allowing cross‑jurisdictional appraiser use.
  • Considerations: Ensuring appraiser competency, consistency with existing licensing standards, consumer protections, and oversight during the temporary period will be important. The bill waives certain licensing-formalities for the emergency period; implementation details (e.g., Board notification processes and any monitoring) will determine effectiveness and risk.

Related/companion measures

  • Companion/related entries listed in the document include HR 2426, A 2558, SD 614 and prior-session bills (S 2676, S 3437, etc.). Primary sponsor/petitioner identified as State Senator John J. Cronin (Worcester and Middlesex).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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