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GA HB1274

GA HB1274
Auto Insurance Excess Profits Act; enact


summary

Introduced
02/11/2026
In Committee
03/27/2026
Crossed Over
02/26/2026
Passed
Dead
04/02/2026

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT To amend Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance, so as to improve insurance policyholder protections by strengthening the regulation of excess profit in private passenger automobile insurance policies, healthcare plan coverage of ground ambulance transportation services, and obligations under life insurance policies; to provide for the collection of certain data annually from insurers writing private passenger automobile insurance policies; to provide for the Commissioner of Insurance to order the refund of any excess profit made by such insurers; to provide for calculations; to provide for notice and opportunity for hearing; to provide for cash refunds or credit refunds; to provide for certification; to prohibit adjustments to commission, premium tax, or other tax payments; to provide for insurance coverage for certain out-of-network ambulance transportation service; to provide for the minimum allowable reimbursement rate for such service; to provide for maximum amounts on copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles for such service; to provide for insurers to conduct policy locator searches on a quarterly basis; to provide for updated records; to provide for disclosure of certain information; to provide for the right to original agents of record; to provide for the right to access policy information; to provide for an authorized recipient; to provide for a standardized form authorizing access to certain information; to provide for the right to an annual policy status report; to provide for the right to beneficiary protection; to provide for annual reporting; to provide for the Department of Insurance to publish on its website a statement on the rights of policyholders and a standardized form for authorizing a recipient to have access to certain policy information; to provide for such statement and form to be sent to certain insurers; to provide for definitions; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to provide for effective dates and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

AI Summary

This bill aims to enhance consumer protections within the insurance industry by strengthening regulations around excess profits in private passenger automobile insurance, improving coverage for ground ambulance transportation services, and clarifying obligations under life insurance policies. Specifically, it mandates that auto insurers report detailed financial data annually, allowing the Commissioner of Insurance to order refunds of any "excess profit" – defined as underwriting gains exceeding anticipated profits plus 6% of earned premiums over a five-year period – which can be issued as cash or credit refunds to policyholders. The bill also establishes new rules for healthcare plans regarding ground ambulance transportation, requiring them to cover emergency transport services requested by a "first responder" (such as firefighters, paramedics, or police officers) and setting minimum reimbursement rates for out-of-network providers, with patient out-of-pocket costs capped at what they would pay for in-network services. Furthermore, life insurance companies will be required to conduct quarterly searches for lost policies using a national database and to provide policyholders with more transparent information, including annual status reports and the right to maintain their original agent of record, with the Department of Insurance tasked with publishing a statement of policyholder rights and a standardized authorization form for accessing policy information.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (7)

Last Action

Senate Tabled (on 03/31/2026)

bill text


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